Trade Dollar Die Varieties


I have studied auction appearances of Carson City Trade dollars in Heritage and Stack's Bowers auction lots, and created the tables of die varieties, one table each for the 1873-CC through 1878-CC.

When I began this effort some three years ago, I didn't realize that I was duplicating the efforts of Joe Kirchgessner and John B. Coxe, who have already published references on die varieties of the Trade dollar series. Nonetheless, I have encountered die marriages not in those references, and I hope the tables will be of use to researchers and specialists.

The first column in the tables is a link to an auction lot for each die variety. The tables map each variety to its Kirchgessner and Coxe counterparts. The HA prefix is an abbreviation for Heritage Auctions. Please report any corrections, additions, improvements, etc. to briankoller@yahoo.com.


1873-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.5704-3.11a.1Star 5 has a die lump below the 9 o'clock point.
Clashed below left wing. Wide CC
HA-2R.6202, 0343.21a.2FS-301, top of 7 misplaced in dentils. Wide CC.
HA-3R.310-53.31a.3Top of 7 repunched. Diagonal die lines below LL in DOLLAR.
HA-4R.330223.21a.4FS-301, top of 7 misplaced in dentils.
Die line through period after AMERICA.
HA-5R.46-33.41a.4Date furthest right. Base of 73 lightly repunched.
Die line through period after AMERICA.
HA-6R.19--3.31a.4Top of 7 repunched. Die line through period after AMERICA.
HA-7R.5--73.51a.5Date furthest left and slopes down. Mintmark tilted right. Die lines in dentils over U in UNITED.
HA-8R.450263.21a.5FS-301, top of 7 misplaced in dentils.
Mintmark tilted right. Die lines in dentils over U in UNITED.
HA-9R.411,1205-3.61a.6Close CC. Die line from dentils below E in TRADE.
HA-10R.210113.71a.7Top of 8 misplaced in dentils below 8. Die line through upper right of D in DOLLAR.
HA-11R.6402,04-3.21a.1FS-301, top of 7 misplaced in dentils. Diagonal lines below LL in DOLLAR
HA-12R.61302-3.21a.3FS-301, top of 7 misplaced in dentils. Diagonal lines below LL in DOLLAR

Not seen: JK-8. Does JK-8 exist?

1874-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.5---4.11a.8Bushel has lapped center. Tiny period after FINE. Reverse cracks.
HA-2R.32-34.11a.4Bushel has lapped center. Reverse die cracks. LDS: obverse die cracks.
HA-3R.210-104.21a.7Die lines at upper left of bale. Die line through upper right of D in DOLLAR. LDS: both dies cracked.
HA-4R.49-4,174.21a.4Die lines at upper left of bale. Reverse die cracks.
HA-5R.311-2.14.31a.9Die lines at upper left of bale and center of bushel.
LDS: obverse rim breaks.
Lump at center of E in AMERICA. Lump on bottom upright of the R in GRAINS.
HA-6R.7---4.41a.10No Period after FINE. Absent middle top of E in AMERICA.
HA-7R.3---4.51a.11Die line below right ribbon end. 2nd C (in mintmark) high.
Lumps on dentils below D in DOLLAR. LDS: reverse die cracks.
HA-8R.430621.14.111a.2Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot.
Wide CC. Line right from base of D in DOLLAR. Huge period after FINE.
HA-9R.7---4.51a.12Horizontal line on left ribbon end. Wide CC. Die cracks reverse border.
HA-10R.5---4.61a.13Bushel lightly lapped. Die line at top of dentils near E in FINE. LDS: both sides have die cracks.
HA-11R.422--4.71a.14Horizontal line at top of dentil below 4 in date.
Curved line near bottom of U in UNITED. Period distant from FINE.
HA-12R.6---4.81b.1Center of bushel lapped. 1st C (in mintmark) low.
HA-13R.58--4.81a.7Center of bushel lapped. Line near top of the D in DOLLAR. Both sides have die cracks.
HA-14R.17-124.81a.10Center of bushel lapped. No Period after FINE. Absent top of E in AMERICA.
Reverse die cracks. LDS: Obverse die cracks.
HA-15R.16-5.1,5.24.81a.4Center of bushel lapped. Die lines from dentils toward star 4.
Obverse rim cuds. Both sides die cracks.
HA-16R.318-144.91a.10Top of E in AMERICA absent. No Period after FINE. Date slopes down. Reverse cracks. Late die state: obverse rim breaks.
HA-17R.420-74.101b.2Date slopes down. Lump on lowered arm below elbow.
HA-18R.54-114.111b.3Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot. Spur atop left upright of N in UNITED.
HA-19R.6---4.111b.2Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot. Thin dentils above STATES OF
HA-20R.5---4.111a.15Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot. LDS: die crack top of MERI.
HA-21R.521--4.121b.2Horizontal die lines at center left of bale. Die lump on R in AMERICA.
HA-22R.5---4.131a.16Die lumps on right top of Liberty's head. Die cracks on both sides.
HA-23R.5--194.131b.2Die lumps on right top of Liberty's head. Die lump on leg of R in LIBERTY.
Diagonal die line southwest of right wingtip. Die cracks both sides.
HA-24R.3--13,204.141b.3Spur atop left upright of N in UNITED. Mintmark tilts slightly right.
HA-25R.4199-4.141b.1Nothing special.
HA-26R.417--4.151a.11Diagonal line at center of bushel. Die lumps on dentils below D in DOLLAR. Die cracks both sides.
HA-27R.316--4.151a.9Diagonal line at center of bushel. Die lump on upright of R in GRAINS. Die cracks both sides.
HA-28R.4---4.151b.2Diagonal line at center of bushel. Diagonal die line southwest of right wingtip. Die cracks both sides.
HA-29R.3---4.161a.10Bushel lapped. Die lump on upper left curve of 8 in date. Top of E in AMERICA absent.
Narrow dentils below DOLLAR. No Period after FINE. Die cracks both sides.
HA-30R.21-15,184.161b.1Bushel lapped. Die lump on upper left curve of 8 in date. Die cracks both sides.
HA-31R.7---4.171b.4Low date. Die line right from top of D in DOLLAR.
HA-32R.3RevR--4.181a.17Die lump on diagonal of M in AMERICA. Reverse die cracks, especially LDS.
HA-33R.513--4.181a.10Top of E in AMERICA absent. Narrow dentils below DOLLAR.
Reverse die cracks. No Period after FINE.
HA-34R.414-84.181b.5Date slopes down. Die lump on left ribbon end. Die line in dentils above first S in STATES.
Absent upper serifs on I in UNITED.
HA-35R.112-14.181b.4Date slopes down. Die lump on left ribbon end. Die line right from top of D in DOLLAR.
Obverse die cracks. LDS: Reverse die cracks.
HA-36R.6---4.181b.7Date slopes down. Die line on field west of toes. Die lump on left ribbon end.
Obverse die cracks. No Period after FINE.
HA-37R.315-6,164.191b.7Die lump on extended arm near elbow. Lower half of semicircle on extended arm near shoulder.
Long die line passes through dentils between CA in AMERICA.
HA-38R.4---4.201b.8Narrow dentils above ES in STATES.
HA-39R.6---4.211b.8Narrow dentils above ES in STATES.
HA-40R.5---4.111a.3Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot.
Diagonal die lines below LL in DOLLAR. Reverse die cracks.
HA-41R.4---4.221b.2Obverse field buckling below right ribbon end. Diagonal die line southwest of right wingtip.
Thin dentils across upper reverse border.
HA-42R.6---4.61a.18Left C in mintmark has a swollen base. Reverse die cracks.
HA-43R.7507-4.141a.12Date entered left and low. Wide CC. Reverse die cracks.
HA-44R.7---4.111a.10Line up from obverse dentil near Liberty's foot.
Top of E in AMERICA is absent. Reverse die cracks.
HA-45R.6---4.41b.8Die lines in dentils above (UNIT)ED
HA-46R.7---4.21b.2

JK Reverse Q is probably 1b.1.
Reverse die prefix 1a indicates Small CC.
Reverse die prefix 1b indicates Large CC.
LDS = Late die state

1875-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.36-2.15.11b.9Date slants down. "Narwhal" variety with die line from beak. Spur right from center of R in TRADE.
Die line from dentils below O in DOLLAR.
HA-2R.4---5.21b.9Date level. Obverse die cracks. "Narwhal" die line present but faded.
Spur right from center of R in TRADE. Die line from dentils below O in DOLLAR.
HA-3R.32,1515-5.31b.10Narrow dentils near stars 12 to 13. Very narrow upper left serifs on E and I in AMERICA.
HA-4R.311-125.41b.11Minute upper left serif on I in AMERICA. Reverse die cracks.
HA-5R.7---5.51b.12Thin obverse dentils near 4:30. Die line in dentils between LL in DOLLAR. Large period after FINE.
HA-6R.45-75.51b.13Thin obverse dentils near 4:30. Defective serifs on U and I in UNITED. Blob above left foot of I in AMERICA.
HA-7R.23-3,145.61b.14Lump on top of Liberty's neck. Lump on Liberty's front leg near waterline. Lump on I in FINE.
LDS: reverse die cracks.
HA-8R.316--5.71b.14Delicate die lines northwest of star 5. Lump on I in FINE. LDS: reverse die cracks.
HA-9R.6--85.81b.15Thin dentils near star 1 and 13. Curved die lines in lower drapery. Die lumps on extended arm.
Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR. Dull lump on banner before P in PLURIBUS.
HA-10R.48-45.81b.16Thin dentils near star 1 and 13. Curved die lines in lower drapery. Die lumps on extended arm.
Line at top of dentils beneath AR in DOLLAR. Reverse die cracks.
HA-11R.31-55.91b.15Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR. Dull lump on banner before P in PLURIBUS.
High period after FINE. Reverse die cracks.
HA-12R.47--5.101b.15Die lump on extended arm near elbow. Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR.
Dull lump on banner before P in PLURIBUS. High period after FINE. Reverse die cracks.
HA-13R.514--5.111b.17Thin dentils near star 13. Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA.
HA-14R.39--5.121b.16Line at top of dentils beneath AR in DOLLAR.
HA-15R.310--5.131b.16Die lump in drapery west of NW corner of bale. Line at top of dentils beneath AR in DOLLAR.
HA-16R.5---5.141b.18Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA. Die lines in dentils above OF Wide CC.
HA-17R.2--165.151b.19Diagonal die lines near upper left corner of bale. Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA.
HA-18R.4---5.161b.20LDS: obverse die cracks. Absent upper left serif on F in OF.
HA-19R.4---5.171b.20Die lines southeast of B in LIBERTY. Diagonal die line at center of bushel.
Absent upper left serif on F in OF. Reverse die cracks.
HA-20R.5---5.181b.21Die line in dentils below 7 in date. Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA. Wide CC.
HA-21R.4--115.192a.1Die line west of bottom of hairbun. Die lines below center of bushel.
HA-22R.412-15.191b.22Die line west of bottom of hairbun. Die lines below center of bushel.
Diagonal lines in dentils above O in OF.
HA-23R.31910-5.192a.2Die line west of bottom of hairbun. Die lines below center of bushel. Reverse die cracks.
HA-24R.313-65.201b.22Tiny die lump on field northwest of 1 in date. Diagonal die lines in dentils over O in OF. Reverse die cracks.
HA-25R.421-105.202a.3Tiny die lump on field northwest of 1 in date. Diagonal die lines in dentils below A in DOLLAR.
HA-26R.517--5.211b.20Die line in dentils below 7 in date. Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA.
HA-27R.4201095.192a.16Die line west of bottom of hairbun. Die lines below center of bushel.
Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR. Die crack across top of AMERICA.
HA-28R.7---5.222a.16Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR. Die crack across top of AMERICA.
HA-29R.7---5.221b.15Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR.
Dull lump on banner before P in PLURIBUS. High period after FINE. Reverse die cracks.
HA-30R.5---5.241b.24Die crack at base of date. High second C in mintmark.
HA-31R.7---5.231b.15Die lines in dentils near R in DOLLAR.
Dull lump on banner before P in PLURIBUS. High period after FINE. Reverse die cracks.
HA-32R.5RevQ--5.252a.18Horizontal die line through the F in OF. Die crack through top of RICA.
HA-33R.5---5.241b.19Absent upper left serif on F in OF.
HA-34R.7---5.81b.21Thin dentils near star 1 and 13. Curved die lines in lower drapery. Absent upper left serif on I in AMERICA. Wide CC.
HA-35R.7---5.91b.4Die line right from top of D in DOLLAR.
HA-36R.6---5.121b.24High second C in mintmark.
HA-37R.5---5.261b.25Date slants up slightly. Close CC.
HA-38R.54--5.51b.9Similar to HA-1, but date is entered higher.
HA-39R.7---5.241b.22

I have yet to encounter Coxe-13 (Large over Small CC) or JK-18, Coxe-15 (Small Wide CC).
Reverse die prefix 1b indicates Type 1 Reverse.
Reverse die prefix 2a indicates Type 2M Reverse.
LDS = Late die state

1876-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.42203.1,3.26.11b.21Die erosion on obverse border.
HA-2R.21221,1.16.21b.23FS-801, the Guide Book Doubled Die Reverse variety
HA-3R.35-46.22a.4Die lines in dentils near 76 in date. Obverse die cracks. LDS: reverse die cracks.
HA-4R.46-66.32a.5Triangle-shaped dentils near star 3. Reverse die cracks.
HA-5R.33212,2.16.31a.2Small Wide CC. Reverse die cracks.
HA-6R.515-96.12a.6Die erosion on obverse border. Reverse die cracks.
HA-7R.49-7.16.42a.6Bushel lightly lapped at center and lower left. Die lines near loop of lower drapery.
HA-8R.512--6.52a.4Curved line into drapery west of lower ribbon end. Reverse die cracks.
HA-9R.511-86.52a.7Curved line into drapery west of lower ribbon end. Long die line in dentils below TRADE DOL.
HA-10R.4---6.62a.7Both sides have die cracks. Long die line in dentils below TRADE DOL.
HA-11R.27-5,5.1,5.26.72a.7Many delicate die lines within bushel. Long die line in dentils below TRADE DOL.
LDS: both sides have die cracks.
HA-12R.513--6.82a.8Dentils have thin tops near star 9. Die rust on field around eagle.
Long die line below LL in DOLLAR.
HA-13R.7RevJ-106.92a.15Die lines from dentils near star 12. CC tilted left.
Narrow dentils near I in UNITED. Reverse die cracks.
HA-14R.710--6.32a.4Triangle-shaped dentils near star 3. Both sides show die cracks.
HA-15R.714--6.102a.13Die lump on lap. Reverse die cracks.

Not seen: JK-4 and JK-8.

Reverse die prefix 1a indicates Type 1 Reverse, Small CC.
Reverse die prefix 1b indicates Type 1 Reverse, Large CC.
Reverse die prefix 2a indicates Type 2M Reverse, Large CC.
LDS = Late die state


1877-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.64--7a.12a.9Lump on crossbar of 1st 7 in date. Die line between dentils over left pendant of T in UNITED.
Reverse crack through TRADE.
HA-2R.59--7a.22a.10Crack base of date. Three lumps atop extended forearm. Bottom of GRAINS lightly die doubled.
HA-3R.32-5.17a.12a.13Lump on crossbar of 1st 7 in date. Bottom of GRAINS lightly die doubled. LDS: reverse cracks.
HA-4R.5130, 3197a.32a.11Two lapped areas near upper bale corner. Die chips at center of mintmark.
HA-5R.46-4,67a.42a.12Both sides show faint clash marks. LDS: obverse cracks.
HA-6R.5---7a.52a.13Spike from upper left corner of sea. Obverse lightly clashed.
HA-7R.77-7.17a.52a.14Spike from upper left corner of sea. Reverse clashed. LDS: reverse cracks.
HA-8R.4--4.17a.62a.12Lump near top of 1 in date. Clashed reverse. Reverse cracks. LDS: obverse cracks.
HA-9R.7---7a.72a.11Intermittent lines above ankle. Die chips at center of mintmark.
Descending line through AI in GRAINS. Reverse die cracks.
HA-10R.35--7a.82a.12Clashed reverse. Reverse cracks. LDS: obverse cracks.
HA-11R.5--3,3.17a.92a.15Line in field east of bushel.
HA-12R.411-1,1.17b.12b.1Stars 1 to 4 lightly die doubled. Line in field east of bushel. Reverse clashed.
HA-13R.310-1.2,107a.12b.1Lump at center of crossbar of 1st 7 in date. Obverse cracks. Reverse clashed.
HA-14R.113-27b.22b.2EDS: 2nd 7 in date is repunched. Lump near top of Liberty's front leg.
Diagonal die line in dentils below period after DOLLAR. Reverse cracks.
HA-15R.7---7b.32a.17Diagonal die line in upper half of bushel. Die line in dentils above F in OF.
HA-16R.5---7b.42b.4Base of 2nd 7 in date repunched. Horizontal die line near bottom of bale.
Parallel intermittent lines below right wing.
HA-17R.7---7b.52b.2
HA-18R.7---7a.102a.11Vertical lines below fingers of lowered hand. Die chips at center of mintmark.
Descending line through AI in GRAINS.
HA-19R.5--87b.62b.1Left C in mintmark repunched along left border. Lump on left border of left wing.
HA-20R.63--7a.12a.17Lump on crossbar of 1st 7 in date.

JK Obverse 7 (7b.1) incorrectly designated as Type 2M. It is Type 2L.
Not seen: JK-8 and JK-12.

Obverse die prefix 7a indicates Type 2M Obverse.
Obverse die prefix 7b indicates Type 2L Obverse.
Reverse die prefix 2a indicates Type 2M Reverse.
Reverse die prefix 2b indicates Type 2L Reverse.
EDS = Early die state
LDS = Late die state


1878-CC Trade Dollar Die Varieties

Variety Rarity JK # TDV # Coxe # Obverse
Die
Reverse
Die
Notes
HA-1R.6---8.12b.3Similar to HA-3, but the markers for HA-3 are absent. The case for HA-1.
HA-2R.44-18.12b.4Narrow dentils below OL in DOLLAR. Vertical lines below upper left wing.
HA-3R.42-38.12b.2Diagonal line in dentils below period after DOLLAR. Light reverse cracks.
HA-4R.43-48.12b.5Mintmark entered far right.
HA-5R.31-28.12b.6Lines in reverse dentils, particularly near UNITED.