1895–1935 Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar VF

The British Silver Trade Dollar

In the wake of the Opium Wars, a series of conflicts in the mid-1800s that led to the collapse of China’s centuries-old Qing Dynasty, European and American merchants flooded into China seeking to take advantage of new economic opportunities. As you can imagine, the result of these foreign nations all jockeying for position had the desired effect of opening up international trade on an epic scale. But with so many nations entering the fray, some sort of common currency was needed to make sense of it all.

As it turned out, Chinese merchants preferred to trade in silver specie in the form of Silver Trade Dollars as a medium of exchange. Many nations developed their own form of Trade Dollar but standing head and shoulders above them were British Trade Dollars like the ones we have available here. Thanks to Great Britain’s sovereignty over Hong Kong, the British Silver Trade Dollar had a leg up on the competition, making this coin both incredibly important to international trade, and a very in-demand piece.

Struck in 26.95 grams of highly pure 90% silver, the obverse of each coin displays a powerful image of Britannia holding her shield and spear, with a ship in the background. The reverse has an ornate design of Chinese characters. Struck between 1895 and 1935, this coin can be very hard to find today – especially since China banned the private ownership of silver in 1934 and many of these beautiful coins were melted down in the aftermath. In addition, each coin comes in Very Fine (VF) condition with sharp lettering and nice features that are still in abundance even today more than 85 years after they were struck. Dates will vary.

These coins gained an extra degree of collectability in 1997 when, after 156 years of colonial rule, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty of Hong Kong over to China. Hong Kong continues to maintain governing and economic systems separate from those of mainland China as a special administrative region.

Don’t let this important piece of international history slip through your fingers. As significant for the cultures it represents as it is for the era it hails from, this vintage Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar is a coin that belongs in everyone’s collection. Make sure it’s part of yours and reserve one today!

• AUTHENTIC TRADE DOLLAR – The British Silver Trade Dollar was the premier medium of exchange in China between local merchants and European and American traders. The coins available here were struck from 1895-1935 and feature the symbol of Great Britain – Britannia – on one side and Chinese characters on the other. Date will vary.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE SILVER – Each vintage Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar was struck in 26.95 grams of highly pure 90% fine silver and measures 39 mm in diameter.
• ACCEPTED AS LEGAL TENDER – The preferred medium of exchange for Chinese merchants was silver specie in the form of trade dollars like these British Silver Trade Dollars.
• NICE, VERY FINE CONDITION – Your 1895-1935 Great Britain Silver Trade Dollar will come in very Fine (VF) condition with sharp lettering and even wear on its design features.
• POPULAR HARD-TO-FIND COIN – These coins are hard to find today due to their age, use in commerce and the fact that many were melted down after China banned the private ownership of silver in 1934.

Answer the alluring call of these vintage British Silver Trade Dollars. These hard-to-find pieces of world history will make a wonderful addition to your collection. Click one to your cart today!