trade dollar

American  

noun

1. a silver coin of the U.S., containing slightly more silver than the standard dollar, issued from 1873 to 1885 for trade with Asia.

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Etymology

Origin of trade dollar

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

Jackson declares: "The time has come to place our highest human values ahead of the trade dollar."

From Time Magazine Archive

The trade dollar of 1873 shows Liberty wearing a diadem, seated on a bale of goods by the sea.

From Time Magazine Archive

In case another silver dollar was authorized, I recommended that the trade dollar be discontinued.

From Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet An Autobiography. by Sherman, John

J. Duff.—The coin-dealers ask $1.50 for good copies of the 1877 trade dollar.

From Harper's Round Table, July 9, 1895 by Various

In place of the old dollar the trade dollar, containing 420 grains of silver, was provided for.

From Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet An Autobiography. by Sherman, John