262
|
$3 Gold
1750
1856
.
NGC graded AU-50
. Mostly untoned. Only 26,010
struck. (
PCGS # 7974
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $900 - 950
M
INT
S
TATE
1856-S $3 G
OLD
Enlargement
1751
1856-S
.
PCGS graded MS-61
. Light golden toning. A
delightful Mint State coin with light golden luster almost
covering the surface with its frosty originality. Similar to the
1855-S, the 1856-S is seldom seen in Mint condition,
although it is available in lower grades without too much
effort. The present coin is quite special.
The production of the 1856-S $3 pieces was much more
generous than the output of the preceding year, and some
34,500 were struck. Varieties exist with different sizes of
mintmarks.
Pop 3; 8 finer, 2 in 62, 3 in 63, 3 in 64
.
(
PCGS # 7975
)
An account of this denomination: Walter Breen in his ency-
clopedia gives a learned description of the origin (and later
extinction) of this odd-sounding denomination: "The usual
story has it that $3 gold coins were made only so long as
the letter rate remained 3¢, being discontinued when it was
changed again, and perhaps in part because of the letter
rate change. Whether or not this was the intention of Con-
gress, nevertheless $3's saw little postal use in the West
and South, as they were minted in Dahlonega and New
Orleans only in 1854, and in San Francisco for circulation
only 1855-57 and 1860. Three's thus represent relics of an
interesting but abortive experiment: today they are among
the most highly coveted of American gold coins. No specific
reason was advanced for their discontinuance, though low
mintages 1879-89 (testifying to little public demand) may
have had something to do with it."
Estimated Value .................................... $12,000 - 13,000
1752
1856-S
.
PCGS graded AU-53
. Lightly toned with some luster
still evident. Only 34,500 minted. Light circulation marks in the
fields include a small indentation below 85 in the date. This was
struck from a Medium S mintmarked reverse die, one of several
different reverses recognized on the 1856-S issue. The obverse
is quite well preserved all things considered, and sharp-edged
devices and lettering abound. San Francisco Mint struck this
denomination in 1855 to 1860 and again in 1870. Three-dollar
gold pieces were primarily made at Philadelphia during its 36
year production, 1854-89.
Pop 35; 81 finer
. (
PCGS # 7975
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,100 - 2,200
1753
1856-S
.
PCGS graded AU-53.
CAC Approved
. Light golden
toning on both sides. Choice surfaces exhibit some luster and a
satin, almost matte-like around the legends that really engages
the aesthetic sense of this being an early San Francisco Mint
product with its serene beauty and bold “S” mintmark. Only
34,500 struck.
Pop 34; 81 finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 7975
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,100 - 2,200
1754
1856-S PCGS graded Genuine Unc Details
. Scratch. Light
gold toning with reflective surfaces. Only 34,500 minted. An
inexpensive way to acquire a higher grade S-mint $3 gold piece.
The hairline pin scratch below the date is almost invisible unless
you are looking for it. (
PCGS # 7975
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,500 - 1,600
1755
1857
.
PCGS graded MS-62
. Light hint of gold tone. Only
20,891 minted. A rare Mint quality coin for the date, this exam-
ple displays almost golden color whose satin surface with some
die polish lines imparted with the luster, has warm color, with
excellent eye-appeal. Struck from lightly clashed dies, an outline
of Liberty is visible within the wreath on the reverse. Meticulous
strike on every device is what collectors look for in a $3 gold,
but this coin doesn't quite make the "full" grade on the wreath’s
bow (nor do many of this denomination for this was a part of
the design whose relief was too high to fill adequately with one
stamp of the coining die). Just the same, the MS62 numerical
condition is exact and obviously was carefully weighed by the
grading service.
Pop 32; 28 finer, 22 in 63, 1 in 63+, 3 in
64, 1 in 65, 1 in 66
. (
PCGS # 7976
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$4,500 - 5,000
