Trade Coins of the Orient
British Empire
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Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
GREAT BRITAIN 1816-1901 Asia 19th Century |
| Item Description: |
T$1 1898 G.britain |
| Full Grade: |
NGC VF Details |
| Owner: |
The Beaw's Den |
Owner Comments:
The birth of the British Trade Dollar was a direct result of the Opium Wars from 1839 to 1843 and 1856 to 1860 which began when China tried to stop Britain from selling opium to its citizens. As the loser, China had to open up a number of ports to British trade and residence, and cede Hong Kong to Britain. In the decades that followed, merchants and adventurers flocked to these areas, and international trade flourished. Foreign banks were established and large silver coins from all over the world began arriving to pay for tea, silk, and Chinese porcelain to be shipped abroad.