Trade Dollar Melt Value
A Trade Dollar contains 0.7876 troy oz of pure silver (27.22 g × .900). At $57.35/oz silver, its melt value is about $45.17. Collector value is separate and depends on date, mint mark and grade.
Values above refresh with the October 19, 2026 spot price.
Trade Dollar specifications
| Years | Fineness | Gross weight | Pure silver | Diameter | Face value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1873–1885 | .900 (90%) | 27.22 g | 24.5 g (0.7876 oz t) | 38.1 mm | 1 Dollar |
Made for trade in Asia, the Trade Dollar is heavier than a standard silver dollar (27.22 g against 26.73 g). Coins for circulation were struck 1873–1878; 1879–1885 were proofs only.
How to identify a Trade Dollar
- The reverse states its weight and fineness: 420 GRAINS, 900 FINE.
- Many show small Chinese "chop" marks punched by merchants who tested the silver; chopped coins are a collecting area of their own.
- Liberty sits on bales of goods holding an olive branch, a design made for trade.
How the melt value is calculated
Melt value = gross weight × fineness ÷ 31.1035 × spot price. For the Trade Dollar: 27.22 g × .900 = 24.5 g of pure silver. Divide by 31.1035 grams per troy ounce to get 0.7876 oz, then multiply by $57.35 spot: about $45.17.
Melt value by quantity
| Quantity | Pure silver | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | 0.7876 oz t | $45.17 |
| 5 coins | 3.9381 oz t | $225.85 |
| 10 coins | 7.8763 oz t | $451.70 |
| 20 coins (1 roll) | 15.7526 oz t | $903.41 |
| 50 coins | 39.3814 oz t | $2,259 |
| 100 coins | 78.7628 oz t | $4,517 |
Melt value by face value
Dealers often price 90% silver by face value. Every $1 of face value in Trade Dollar coins holds 0.7876 oz of pure silver when the coins are full weight.
| Face value | Pure silver | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| $1 face value | 0.7876 oz t | $45.17 |
| $10 face value | 7.8763 oz t | $451.70 |
| $100 face value | 78.7628 oz t | $4,517 |
| $1,000 face value | 787.6284 oz t | $45,170 |
Melt value vs collector value
Melt value is only what the silver in a Trade Dollar is worth at today's spot price. A coin's market value can be much higher: scarce dates, mint marks and high grades sell to collectors for a premium, while common dates in worn condition trade closer to melt. Nu Stack does not estimate collector prices on this page. For a specific coin, check the date and mint mark, the condition (a grading service such as PCGS or NGC, or a local dealer) and recent sales.
Related coins
More: Silver melt value explained · How to sell silver coins · Where to sell silver · Free melt calculator · All coin melt values
Specs: Nu Stack coin database (curated entries and the Numista catalog). Melt values use the silver spot price from the Nu Stack price feed and are estimates of metal content only, not offers to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
How much silver is in a Trade Dollar?
A Trade Dollar has 24.5 g (0.7876 troy oz) of pure silver: 27.22 g gross weight at .900 fine.
What is a Trade Dollar worth in melt value today?
About $45.17 at $57.35/oz silver (October 19, 2026). Melt value moves with the silver spot price; this page updates automatically.
Is a Trade Dollar worth more than its melt value?
It can be. Scarce dates, mint marks and coins in high grades sell above melt value to collectors, while common dates in worn condition trade closer to melt. Check the date, mint mark and condition, or ask a grading service or dealer, for a collector value.