Description
1899 Great Britain Trade Dollar is part of a fascinating and collectible coin series struck by the Royal Mint between 1895 and 1935 for use in overseas trade, mainly in China, Hong Kong, and the Far East. Here are the key details about the 1899 issue:
General Information
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Country: Great Britain (struck for overseas trade, not domestic use)
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Year: 1899
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Denomination: 1 Dollar
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Metal Content: Silver (.900 fine)
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Weight: ~26.95 g
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Diameter: ~39 mm
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Edge: Reeded
Design
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Obverse: Features Britannia standing, wearing a Corinthian helmet and holding a trident and shield with the Union Jack. At her feet is a merchant ship under sail, symbolizing Britain’s maritime dominance. The surrounding Greek key-pattern border emphasizes its classical style.
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Reverse: Displays a complex design of Chinese characters (stating “one dollar”) within an ornate oriental-style border, tailored for acceptance in Asian markets.
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Mint Marks: Many were struck at the Bombay (B) and Calcutta (C) mints, in addition to London. The mintmark, if present, is on the reverse at the bottom.
Historical Context
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Trade Dollars were created to compete with other silver trade coins circulating in Asia, such as the Mexican 8 Reales / Peso, U.S. Trade Dollar, and the Japanese Yen.
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They circulated mainly in China, Hong Kong, Malaya, and the Straits Settlements.
