This coin was issued for circulation in Asia to compete with dollar-sized coins of other countries.  They were legal tender in the United States, but when silver prices declined, Congress repealed the provision and authorized the Treasury to limit coinage export demand.  Many pieces that circulated in the Orient were counter stamped with oriental characters, known as chop marks.  In 1887, the Treasury redeemed trade dollars that were not damaged.  The law authorizing trade dollars was repealed in February 1887.