The purpose of this guide is to show you the two valid types of obverse and reverse used on United States Trade Dollars from 1873-1885. Only certain combinations of type 1 and type 2 appear on genuine coins. This guide will help you identify the types and inform you during what years those types were used. Some counterfeiters were apparently unaware of these combinations and made counterfeit coins with parings of type 1 and type 2 that never existed on authentic coins.
Collectors are warned that a large number of copies have been made and some are near perfect replicas. Buying only from known/reputable dealers (eBay or otherwise) is highly recommended.
Speaking of replicas, there are dozens of websites (mostly in China) selling REPLICA Trade Dollars (and hundreds of other coin types). All are fake, but some have pictures where the coin appears to be permanently marked with the word REPLICA or COPY. Be advised that these words have been digitally added to the photos, and the coins being purchased will come unmarked. Although sold as "replicas" these are actually illegal counterfeit coins. Many replica sellers aren't shy about telling you that they aren't really marked as copies/replicas (a requirement of the U.S. Hobby Protection Act for coins sold in the U.S.). This is frequently how these coins make it into the eBay marketplace. NOTE: lately, they have dropped the digitally modified photos and openly offer to sell counterfeit coins.