Q. David Bowers
Willem Correspondence
The following letters from John M. Willem to numismatist Marvin Jacobson are interesting as they reflect the state of the art in collecting trade dollars in the mid-1970s:
John Willem Business Consultant
West Indies and Caribbean Affairs
225 Elderfields Road, Manhasset, N.Y. 11030
6th May, 1974
Mr. Marvin Jacobson Box 130
Maddock, North Dakota
58348
Dear Mr.Jacobson:
Since I will be away the greater part of the month I had best acknowledge your kind letter of the 26th now, and while I do not have all the answers perhaps I can satisfy some.
I am glad to find someone else who likes to collect Trade Dollars with chopmarks. As in your case I have and have seen many TDs in absolutely perfect UNC condition with one or more chops, so such coins should really command the highest premium since their chops confirm they reached the Orient and saw some use there, as intended.
I have a Clearinghouse article coming up in Coin World on major TD varieties. As you say, there are many small varieties, too numerous to mention or even to try and catalogue. However there are some major ones, and these I have concentrated on. You have gone further than I with the large and small mintmarks, and I am not sure any kind of a pattern exists which makes them meaningful at all, unless someone like yourself is just intrigued by the pursuit. More power to you.
All TDs are known with chopmarks (except the 1879-1883 Proofs)-this includes the 1875-P and also the 1878-CC.
I cannot help you out with chopmarked 1873-P, 1873-CC, or 1875-P. Have only one of each myself. I have a fair number of 1875-S pieces with chops and will, next time I am at the bank, have a look to see if I can find one with a small mintmark and with chops.
As for TDs with berry or without berry, remember that all 1875 and 1876 dates and mints come with and without berry. SI,) far I have not seen or heard of a TD before 1875 without berry, nor one after 1876 with berry.
I hope the above is helpful. Write any time you think I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
John M. Willem
November 24, 1975
Dear Marvin:
Regarding Japanese silver Yen and silver Trade Dollars, I sold my entire Japanese collection several years ago when the Japanese boom was 'at its height. Sorry I can't help you at this stage.
Your U.S. Trade Dollar might well be an exciting discovery, and I would very much like to see it. If there are doubts in my mind I can check it out with Walter Breen, who works not too far from here.
Up until now there has been no reported overdate in the U.S. Trade dollar series. There is the 1875 S/CC which I am sure you know about, but this is not an overdate. When you send the coin please insure it and I will return it in the same fashion. Also please be assured that you will receive all due credit for the discovery if it checks out.
I appreciate your writing me. Sincerely,
John M. Willem
Dear Marvin:
I have received your Trade dollar and have given it every test I know. I am holding it a few more days to get another opinion, and perhaps more. Mine is that it is not an overdate, much to my disappointment as well as yours. The "6" is in need of retooling, a custom of those days when the die breaks down and the metal begins to spread.
A start on retooling may have been made, as witness the half-moon in the circle of the "6". If it was an overdate of a "5" that half-moon would be just in the opposite position, downwards instead of upwards. There are no other overdating evidences available to a high-power glass.
Will write you again when I return the coin.
Cordially,
John M. Willem
Dear Marvin:
I am glad to see someone as interested in chopmarks as you are. I had quite a number at one time but have thinned my collection down to examples only. I was always intrigued by the marks in relief, and as a matter of fact the 1875 I kept has a good example in the obverse field. The 1875 is, in my opinion, a hard coin to find in both B U and also chopmarked, as you point out.
I have and have seen Trade Dollars with initials of different kinds and applied to the coin in different ways. I kept one where the reverse was completely retooled by a professional engraver (as they used to do with backs of watches-pocket watches) into what looks like a fraternal lodge emblem. At one time I tried to make a study of chopmarks but gave it up as there were so many varieties. Thanks for the offer of a loan of your pieces, but it's not necessary at this time.
All the best,
John Willem
Year by year, collecting enthusiasm grew for the trade dollar, and by the late 1960s many numismatists sought such issues as the scarce 1873-CC and 1877-CC, the particularly elusive 1878-CC, and the highly-prized 1878-1883 Proof-only dates, although the typical buyer was apt to desire just one coin as a representative piece for inclusion in a set of United States coins by design types.
The tremendous enthusiasm for collecting Morgan silver dollars, which began with the Treasury releases of 1962-3, had the side effect of calling attention to silver coinage of the late nineteenth century, including trade dollars (although no trade dollars remained in Treasury vaults by this time).