$3 Gold

The classic three dollar gold piece was initiated in 1854, with one of its intended purposes to be minimizing the need for postal workers to make change for a sheet of 100 stamps, then valued at 3C. each. While the series never circulated widely, it was coined in relatively small quantities until 1889, being retired in the same year as the gold dollar of nearly identical design. Famous issues include the 1854-D, of which just 1,120 pieces were struck and the unique 1870-S example. Tiny mintage Proof-only dates occur in 1873, 1875 and 1876. Most collectors seek just one representative of this extremely popular type. In many cases, low mintage, low certified population date sell for just a small premium over a more common 1854, 1874 or 1878 example.
Reference books include: MAJOR VARIETIES OF THE UNITED STATES THREE DOLLAR GOLD PIECES by Walter Breen; GOLD COINS OF THE DAHLONEGA MINT 1838-1861 by Douglas Winter; A GUIDE BOOK OF UNITED STATES COINS by R.S. Yeoman; and the all encompassing COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF U.S. AND COLONIAL COINS by Walter Breen.

Rare Dates: 1854-D, 1870-S, 1875 and 1876 Proof-Only Dates.

Famous Issues: 1870-S.

A Highlight $3 Gold from our Auctions

1860 PCGS 55

Auction 3280   Monday, May 21, 2012 from 3:00pm-10:00pm ET
$3 Gold This is the Only Page
Lot	Image	Description			Track
2082		1854O NGC 0 Au Details Harshly Cleaned There were 24,000 coins minted for this issue.
2083		1857S NGC 30 There were 14,000 coins minted for this issue.
2084		1860S NGC 0 Au Details Improperly Cleaned
2085		1870 PCGS 50 Nearly mint. Well struck. Pleasing surfaces.
2086		1874 ANACS 45 Cleaned EF Details
2087		1874 NGC 53 There were 41,800 coins minted for this date.
No Reserve Auction 3281   Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 3:00pm-10:00pm ET
$3 Gold
Lot	Image	Description			Track
1417		1878 PCGS 62
Auction 3282   Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 3:00pm-10:00pm ET
$3 Gold
Lot	Image	Description			Track
1649		1854O PCGS 0 Au Details Cleaned There were 24,000 coins minted for this issue.
1650		1878 PCGS 63 Choice mint luster. Well struck. Pleasing surfaces displaying minimal contact marks. There were 82,304 coins minted for this date.
Auction 3283   Sunday, May 27, 2012 from 3:00pm-10:00pm ET
$3 Gold
Lot	Image	Description			Track
2441		1854 PCGS 0 Au Details Cleaned
2442		1855S PCGS 0 Au Details Cleaned
2443		1858 NGC 0 Au Details Improperly Cleaned
2444		1874 NGC 50 Nearly mint. Well struck.Pleasing surfaces.
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