Q. David Bowers
B. Max Mehl's sale of the Dr. S.T. Millard Collection, March 18, 1915, included a number of trade dollars, among which was a VG 1878-CC, which commanded $7.25, quite a contrast to the 80¢ price earlier quoted for a similar piece in Henry Chapman's Brown Collection Sale held two months earlier!
The United States Coin Company sale of the collection of a "Prominent American," May 19-21, 1915, offered a run of Proofs 1873-1883 plus a number of mintmarks, including a rare Mint State 1876-CC, although few suspected at the time that this coin in this grade was the rarest of the trade dollars offered. However, one or two bidders did, for the 1876-CC brought the second highest price in the group.
1873 Br. Proof. $1.25.
1873-CC EF, mint lustre. $2.75.
1873-S VF. $1.00.
1874 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1874-S EF. $1.00.
1875 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1875-CC Large CC. Unc., mint lustre. $1.25.
1875-S Unc., mint lustre. $1.00.
1876 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1876-CC Unc. $2.10.
1876-S Large S. VF. $1.10.
1876-S Small S. EF, mint lustre. $1.00.
1877 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1877-S Unc., mint lustre. $0.75.
1877-S EF. $0.70.
1878 Br. Proof. $1.00.
1878-S Unc., mint lustre. $0.75.
1879 Br. Proof. $1.00.
1880 Br. Proof. $1.00.
1881 Br. Proof. $1.00.
1882 Br. Proof. $1.00.
1883 Br. Proof; $1.00.
B. Max Melh's Sale of the R. Turner Moore and W.G. Quade Collections, November 23, 1915, included these trade dollars. Most brought about face value, with the highest priced Proof being the 1878 at $1.75, but two others of the same date brought just $1 each.
1873 VF, was a Proof. $1.10.
1873CC VG. $2.00.
1873-S Prooflike Unc. $2.00.
1876 Br. Proof. $1.60.
1878 Br. Proof. $1.75.
1878 Proof. $1.00.
1878 Proof. $1.00.
1878-S Unc. $1.00.
1879 Proof. $1.00.
1879 Proof. $1.00.
1880 Proof. $1.50.
1880 Proof. $1.00.
1880 Proof. $1.00.
1882 Br. Proof. $1.55.
1883 Proof. $1.15.
Henry Chapman's sale of the Daniel Houpt, Van Buskirk & Bruce Collections, March 14-15, 1917, included a date set of trade dollars 1873-1883.
1873 Br. Proof. Very slightly hairmarked. $1.10.
1873 Unc. $1.15.
1874 Br. Proof, slightest hairmarks. $1.15.
1875 Proof. $1.40.
1876 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1877 Br. Proof. $1.20.
1878 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1879 Br. Proof. $1.15.
1880 Proof, slight hairmarks. $1.05.
1881 Proof. $1.20.
1882 Br. Proof. $1.15.
1882 Br. Proof. $1.20.
1883 Br. Proof. $1.40.
Thomas L. Elder's sale of the Henry C. Miller Collection, April 13-14, 1917, included this modest selection of trade dollars:
1874-S AU. $1.40.
1875-S Unc. $1.00.
1876-S Unc. $1.00.
1877 Proof. $1.30.
1877-S Unc. $1.00.
1878-S Unc. $1.05.
1880 Proof. $1.20.
1882 Proof. $1.50.
B. Max Mehl's sale of the H.O. Granberg Collection, July 16, 1919, another holding of this well-known Oshkosh numismatist, included the following trade dollars. Unlike Granberg's 1913 consignment to Mehl, this one is laden with mintmarks, although none of a quality that would cause connoisseurs to refigure their checkbook balances. Note also the presence of the rare 1884 Proof, which may have been "bought in" by the owner.
1873 Proof, tarnished. $1.30.
1873-CC Nearly Unc. $1.50.
1873-S VG. $1.25.
1874 Proof. $1.35.
1874-CC VG. $1.25.
1874-S Fine. $1.75.
1875-CC EF, some mint lustre. $1.40.
1876-CC Fine. $1.40.
1876-S Unc, $1.25.
1877-CC About Fine. $3.15.
1877-S Bright Unc.. $1.30.
1878 Br. Proof. $1.45.
1878-CC VG, nearly Fine. $4.50.
1878-S Unc., frosty mint surface. $1.30.
1879 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1880 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1881 Br. Proof. $1.50.
1882 Br. Proof. $2.00.
1883 Br. Proof. $1.10.
1884 Beautiful brilliant Proof, perfect in every respect. $260.00.