Circulation Strike Circulation Strike

Circulation Strike

Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1854-1889
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 20.5 mm
Weight: 5.015 grams (77.39 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 538,074

The $3 pieces were first coined in 1854 and were produced at the Philadelphia Mint continuously through 1889. The obverse features the head of an Indian princess, facing left, wearing a feathered head¬ dress upon which is a band inscribed LIBERTY. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. The reverse displays an agricultural wreath enclosing 3 DOLLARS and the date. The obverse portrait and the reverse wreath are similar to those found on the Type II gold dollar minted 1854-1856, while the reverse wreath was later used on the Flying Eagle cents of 1856-1858.

The $3 design was continued without major change from beginning to the end, except that issues of the year 1854 alone have the word DOLLARS in smaller letters than do the pieces from 1855 to 1889. In addition to the Philadelphia coinage, pieces were struck from time to time at Dahlonega, New Orleans (only in 1854) and San Francisco.

All $3 issues are scarce. However, there will be no problem encountered in locating one of the higher mintage dates such as 1854, 1874, or 1878. Among coins of the 1854-1859 era, grades most often encountered range from Very Fine to Extremely Fine. AU pieces are scarce, and Uncirculated pieces are rare, with the possible exception of 1854, 1874 and 1878, which occur more frequently. Superb Uncirculated pieces are quite rare. Among later $3 pieces available grades are higher, with typical grades being in the Extremely Fine to AU range and, in the 1880s, AU to Uncirculated. Superb Uncirculated pieces are quite scarce.

This “odd” denomination made its appearance in 1854 and enjoyed a 35-year run until its discontinuance in 1889. It is speculated that one of the reasons behind its issuance was that it facilitated the purchase of a “sheet” of one hundred 3¢ postage stamps. Whether or not this was sufficient reason for its creation, the fact remains that the coin proved unpopular with the public, and enjoyed only limited circulation.

Mintages following the Civil War were generally quite low, seldom exceeding 5,000 pieces annually with the exception of 1874 and 1878. Rarities are numerous and include the 1854-D, the unique 1870-S, 1873, the proof-only 1875 and 1876, and the 1877.

1854 Gold Three Dollar
1854 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 138,618
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1854 | 3 DOLLARS

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1854-D Gold Three Dollar
1854-D Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,120
Estimated Survivors: 120-160 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1854 | D | 3 DOLLARS

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1854-O Gold Three Dollar
1854-O Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 24,000
Estimated Survivors: 400-500 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1854 | O | 3 DOLLARS

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1855 Gold Three Dollar
1855 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 50,555
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1855 | 3 DOLLARS

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1855-S Gold Three Dollar
1855-S Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 6,600
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1855 | S | 3 DOLLARS

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1856 Gold Three Dollar
1856 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 26,010
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1856 | 3 DOLLARS

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1856-S Gold Three Dollar
1856-S Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 34,500
Estimated Survivors: About 24 in Mint State
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1856 | S | 3 DOLLARS

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1857 Gold Three Dollar
1857 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 20,891
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1857 | 3 DOLLARS

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1857-S Gold Three Dollar
1857-S Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 14,250
Estimated Survivors: 160-225 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1857 | S | 3 DOLLARS

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1858 Gold Three Dollar
1858 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,133
Estimated Survivors: 125-150 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1858 | 3 DOLLARS

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1859 Gold Three Dollar
1859 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 15,558
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1859 | 3 DOLLARS

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1860 Gold Three Dollar
1860 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 7,036
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1860 | 3 DOLLARS

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1860-S Gold Three Dollar
1860-S Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 7,000
Estimated Survivors: About 100 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1860 | S | 3 DOLLARS

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1861 Gold Three Dollar
1861 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 5,959
Estimated Survivors: 35-50 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1861 | 3 DOLLARS

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1862 Gold Three Dollar
1862 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 5,750
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 40 in Mint State
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1862 | 3 DOLLARS

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1863 Gold Three Dollar
1863 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 5,000
Estimated Survivors: About 300 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1863 | 3 DOLLARS

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1864 Gold Three Dollar
1864 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,630
Estimated Survivors: 125-175 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1864 | 3 DOLLARS

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1865 Gold Three Dollar
1865 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,140
Estimated Survivors: About 100 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1865 | 3 DOLLARS

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1866 Gold Three Dollar
1866 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 4,000
Estimated Survivors: About 200 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1866 | 3 DOLLARS

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1867 Gold Three Dollar
1867 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,600
Estimated Survivors: About 150 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1867 | 3 DOLLARS

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1868 Gold Three Dollar
1868 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 4,850
Estimated Survivors: 70-90 in Mint State
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1868 | 3 DOLLARS

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1869 Gold Three Dollar
1869 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,500
Estimated Survivors: 150-200 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1869 | 3 DOLLARS

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1870 Gold Three Dollar
1870 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 3,500
Estimated Survivors: About 300 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1870 | 3 DOLLARS

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1870-S Gold Three Dollar
1870-S Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1870 | 3 DOLLARS | S

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1871 Gold Three Dollar
1871 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,300
Estimated Survivors: 200-250 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1871 | 3 DOLLARS

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1872 Gold Three Dollar
1872 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,000
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1872 | 3 DOLLARS

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1873 Gold Three Dollar
1873 Gold Three Dollar
Variety: Closed 3
Circulation Mintage: 100
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 12 in Mint State
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1873 | 3 DOLLARS

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1874 Gold Three Dollar
1874 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 41,800
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1874 | 3 DOLLARS

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1877 Gold Three Dollar
1877 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,468
Estimated Survivors: 60-100 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1877 | 3 DOLLARS

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1878 Gold Three Dollar
1878 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 82,304
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1878 | 3 DOLLARS

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1879 Gold Three Dollar
1879 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 3,000
Estimated Survivors: 575-725 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1879 | 3 DOLLARS

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1880 Gold Three Dollar
1880 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,000
Estimated Survivors: 175-215 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1880 | 3 DOLLARS

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1881 Gold Three Dollar
1881 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 500
Estimated Survivors: 24-36 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1881 | 3 DOLLARS

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1882 Gold Three Dollar
1882 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,500
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1882 | 3 DOLLARS

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1883 Gold Three Dollar
1883 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 900
Estimated Survivors: 175-235 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1883 | 3 DOLLARS

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1884 Gold Three Dollar
1884 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,000
Estimated Survivors: 75-110 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1884 | 3 DOLLARS

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1885 Gold Three Dollar
1885 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 801
Estimated Survivors: 165-220 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1885 | 3 DOLLARS

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1886 Gold Three Dollar
1886 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,000
Estimated Survivors: 25-40 in Mint State, 80-100 in Proof
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1886 | 3 DOLLARS

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1887 Gold Three Dollar
1887 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 6,000
Estimated Survivors: 230-400 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1887 | 3 DOLLARS

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1888 Gold Three Dollar
1888 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 5,000
Estimated Survivors: 550-750 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1888 | 3 DOLLARS

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1889 Gold Three Dollar
1889 Gold Three Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 2,300
Estimated Survivors: 240-300 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

1889 | 3 DOLLARS

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