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.

---

Etymology

Origin of trade dollar

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

There are 900 parts of pure silver and 100 parts of copper in the "trade dollar."

From St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878 by Various

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

The trade dollar was coined for the purpose of traffic in countries where silver passed at its value as ascertained by its weight and fineness.

From A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 8, part 2: Chester A. Arthur by Richardson, James D. (James Daniel)