Obverse

Liberty seated on a pedestal facing the sea to the left holding olive branches surrounded by 13 stars.

Lettering:

IN GOD WE TRUST

LIBERTY

Engraver: William Barber

William Barber (2 May 1807 – 31 August 1879) was the fifth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1869 until his death. Barber is best known for his "Britannia"-inspired trade dollar design, and his adaptation pf the long-standing Seated Liberty design for use on the ill-fated 20-cent piece, which saw circulation only in 1875 and 1876.

Reverse

An eagle holding branches with berries on them and arrows.

Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

E PLURIBUS UNUM

420 GRAINS, .900 FINE.

TRADE DOLLAR

Engraver: William Barber

William Barber (2 May 1807 – 31 August 1879) was the fifth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1869 until his death. Barber is best known for his "Britannia"-inspired trade dollar design, and his adaptation pf the long-standing Seated Liberty design for use on the ill-fated 20-cent piece, which saw circulation only in 1875 and 1876.

Edge

Reeded

Comments

These were the only US coins ever to be demonetized (to force usage of the Morgan dollar, which had a slightly lower silver content). However, the Coinage Act of 1965 re-monetized it via section 102, which makes all coins and currency of the United States legal tender without limit.