Q. David Bowers
Rarity in MS-60 to 62 Grades Various business strike issues in the trade dollar series are listed in ascending order of rarity, from the commonest to the rarest. The first figure of the estimate range is used in determining the order. In this and the following charts, if there is a tie, and the second figure is different, the second figure deter-mines the order. Otherwise, a tie is indicated.
By comparing this and the other charts, it will be seen that the rarity of a given variety changes from one grade level to another.
1877-S: Approximate population: 1,750 to 3,500+. This is the commonest trade dollar in the MS-60 to 62 range.
1875-S: 1,500 to 3,000+
1878-S: 1,000 to 2,000+
1876-S: 900 to 1,800+
1876: 700 to 1,200
1877: 450 to 900+
1874-S: 400 to 800+
1875-CC: 300 to 500
1873: 150 to 250 (tied with 1874 and 1874-CC)
1874: 150 to 250 (tied with 1873 and 1873-CC)
1874-CC: 150 to 250 (tied with 1873 and 1874)
1873-S: 100 to 175 (tied with 1875)
1875: 100 to 175 (tied with 1873-S)
1877-CC: 100 to 160
1875-S CC: 50 to 75
1873-CC: 40 to 80
1876-CC: 20 to 40 (tied with 1878-CC for rarest in this range)
1878-CC: 20 to 40 (tied with 1876-CC for rarest in this range)
Rarity in MS-63 Grade
1875-S: Approximate population MS-63: 500 to 1,000+. In MS-63 grade this is the most common trade dollar.
1877-S: 300 to 600+
1876: 200 to 400
1878-S: 200 to 400+
1876-S: 175 to 300+
1877: 150 to 250+
1875-CC: 75 to 125
1873: 60 to 100 (tied with 1874)
1874: 60 to 100 (tied with 1873)
1875: 55 to 90
1873-S: 30 to 50 (tied with 1874-CC)
1874-CC: 30 to 50 (tied with 1873-S)
1874-S: 30 to 50
1877-CC: 15 to 25 (tied with 1878-CC)
1878-CC: 15 to 25 (tied with 1877-CC)
1875-S/CC: 5 to 8
1876-CC: 5 to 8
1873-CC: 2 to 4. At the MS-63 level the 1873-CC is the rarest trade dollar.
Rarity in MS-64 Grade
1875-S: Approximate population MS-64: 200 to 400+. Commonest trade dollar at the MS-64 level.
1878-S: 175 to 350+
1877-S: 170 to 325+
1876: 150 to 300
1876-S: 100 to 200+
1877: 60 to 120+
1873: 50 to 100 (tied with 1874)
1874: 50 to 100 (tied with 1873)
1873-S: 25 to 50 (tied with 1875)
1875: 25 to 50 (tied with 1873-S)
1874-S: 20 to 40 (tied with 1878-CC)
1878-CC: 20 to 40 (tied with 1874-S)
1874-CC: 10 to 20
1875-CC: 5 to 10 (tied with 1877-CC)
1877-CC: 5 to 10 (tied with 1875-CC)
1875-S/CC: 4 to 7
1876-CC: 2 to 4
1873-CC: 2 or 3. The rarest trade dollar at the MS-64 level.
Rarity in MS-65 Grade
1875-S: Approximate population MS-65 or better: 75 to 150+. At the MS-65 level this is the most available trade dollar.
1878-S: 70 to 140+
1877-S: 50 to 100+
1876: 40 to 60
1876-S: 20 to 40+
1875: 10 to 20
1873: 10 to 15
1874: 6 to 10 (tied with 1878-CC)
1878-CC: 6 to 10 (tied with 1874)
1873-S: 4 to 8 (tied with 1875-CC and 1877)
1875-CC: 4 to 8 (tied with 1873-S and 1877)
1877: 4 to 8 (tied with 1873-S and 1875-CC)
1873-CC: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)
1874-CC: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)
1874-S: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)
1875-S/CC: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)
1876-CC: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)
1877-CC: 0 or 1 (in a six-way tie for rarest)