Q. David Bowers
The Dr. Charles W. Green Collection sold by B. Max Mehl on April 26, 1949, included the following trade dollars. The Proof 1873 is notable for its absence; same for the Proof 1883. Branch mint coins are incomplete and lack issues of 1873 and the 1878- CC.
1873 EF. $5.50.
1874 Perfect Br. Proof. $10.00.
1874 AU. $5.00.
1874-CC EF. $6.30.
1874-S. VF, $5.00.
1875 Perfect Br. Proof. $15.00.
1875 EF. $3.00.
1875-CC EF, marks. $8.00.
1875-S Unc. $11.50.
1876 Perfect Br. Proof. $14.75.
1876 AU. $4.20.
1876-CC AU. $12.60.
1876-S AU. $5.25.
1877 Perfect Br. Proof. $10.50.
1877 AU. $3.55.
1877-CC EF. $7.50.
1877-S "Semi-Proof." $5.75.
1878 Perfect Br. Proof. $13.00.
1878-S EF. $4.50.
1879 Perfect Br. Proof. $13.00.
1880 Perfect Br. Proof. $14.50.
1881 Br. Proof. $10.50.
1882 Perfect Br. Proof. $12.50.
B. Max Mehl's Golden Jubilee Sale, May23, 1950, contained a complete set of trade dollars by date and mint, including the formidable 1884 and 1885 rarities.
1873 Perfect Br. Proof gem. $21.00.
1873-CC AU. $31.00.
1873-S Unc. with brilliant mint lustre. Tiny hairlines and pin-point nick on reverse as a result of having been handled with other coins, but the coin was certainly never in circulation. $33.00.
1874 Perfect Br. Proof. Partly wire edge. $18.25.
1874-CC Br. Unc. $32.50.
1874-S Unc. with full mint lustre. $11.00.
1875 Perfect Br. Proof. $21.00.
1875-CC Br. Unc. $15.50.
1875-S Br. Unc. with full mint lustre, sharp and perfect. $16.00.
1876 Perfect Br. Proof. $18.25.
1876-CC AU. $16.00.
1876-S Unc. with full mint lustre. $8.25.
1877 Perfect Br. Proof, partly wire edge. $17.25.
1877-CC AU. $31.00.
1877-S Microscopic 5. Brilliant mint condition. $6.25.
1878 Perfect Br. Proof; wire edge. $16.50.
1878-CC Unc., or practically so. The field and very highest portions show just the very slightest touch of cabinet friction, but it has considerable lustre. $52.50.
1878-S Br. Unc. $7.25.
1879 Perfect Br. Proof. $14.25.
1880 Perfect Br. Proof. $14.25.
1881 Perfect Br. Proof. Raised borders. A gem coin. $18.50.
1882 Perfect Br. Proof. $18.50.
1883 Perfect Br. Proof. $21.00.
1884 Perfect Br. Proof gem. $760.00.
1885 Perfect Br. Proof gem. $1,450.00.
The Adolphe Menjou Collection sold by Numismatic Gallery (Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg), June 15-17, 1950. Menjou was a well-known movie star of the era. While he had an interest in numismatics, it is believed that many of the coins in the catalogue bearing his name are believed to have been the property of other consignors. The offering of trade dollars was complete by date and mint and included the famous 1884 and 1885. Here is another landmark sale in the annals of trade dollar history.
As is the norm for even the most extensive trade dollar sets, the branch mint pieces were mostly in worn grades. Even collectors who could afford just about anything were not able to acquire Mint State specimens of such issues as 1873-CC, 1873-S, 1876-CC, and 1878-CC. As obvious as the situation is today to the numismatic researcher, relatively little attention was paid in print to the rarity of these pieces a few decades ago. Condition Censuses, population reports, and detailed studies awaited another generation of enthusiasts.
1873 Br. Proof with a few light hairlines. $14.50.
1873-CC VF. $7.50.
1873-S VF. $4.50.
1874 Br. Proof, sharp wire edge. $14.00.
1874-CC VF. $7.00.
1874-S AU. $5.00.
1875 Br. Proof, wire edge. $20.
1875-CC Fine-VF. $3.75.
1875-S Fine. $3.00.
1876 Br. Proof. $13.00.
1876-CC Unc. $14.00.
1876-S AU. $5.00.
1877 Br. Proof. $15.00.
1877-CC VG. $6.00.
1877-S Unc. $6.00.
1878 Br. Proof. $18.00.
1878-CC Fine. $17.50.
1878-S Unc. $7.00.
1879 Br. Proof. $13.00.
1880 Br. Proof. $13.00.
1881 Br. Proof, sharp. $13.00.
1882 Steel-blue Proof. $13.00.
1883 Br. Proof. $19.00.
1884 Br. Proof Gem. $765.00.
1885 [No grade listed.] $1,350.00.