Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 322 12 March 2014
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UNITED STATES, Federal issues. AR Trade dollar (38mm, 19.59 g, 6h). San Francisco mint. Dated 1878 S. The reverse has been skillfully hollowed out and fashioned into a small hinged container or locket. VF, toned. An extremely well crafted box dollar.
Popular myth holds that box dollars were used to smuggle opium into the United States. However, these hollowed coins would have held a paltry amount of opium, which was at the time still legal. The dollars much more likely served as lockets, holding pictures of loved ones. Such keepsakes were popular souvenirs at the 1893 Colombian Exhibition.
Popular myth holds that box dollars were used to smuggle opium into the United States. However, these hollowed coins would have held a paltry amount of opium, which was at the time still legal. The dollars much more likely served as lockets, holding pictures of loved ones. Such keepsakes were popular souvenirs at the 1893 Colombian Exhibition.