The Silver Trade Dollar, designed by William Barber, had a weight of 27.22 grams and was composed of .900 silver and .100 copper. The silver trade dollar was originally issued in the orient for circulation. It was intended to compete with the dollar sized coins of other countries. Many pieces circulated throughout the orient were counterstamped with Oriental characters which were known as chop marks. The Silver Trade Dollar was approved as legal tender in the United States. Shortly after the decline in silver prices, Congress repealed the provision and approved the Treasury to limit coinage to the demand of exports. In 1887, the Treasury redeemed all possible Trade Dollars and the law authorizing trade dollars was repealed.