Three Dollar Gold Princess $3 1854-1889 PR DCAM [Type]

Designer: James B. Longacre. Weight: 5.015 grams. Composition: .900 gold, .100 copper (net weight .14512 oz. pure gold). Diameter: 20.5 mm. Edge: Reeded. Mints: Philadelphia, Dahlonega, New Orleans, San Francisco.

Key to Collecting: The panorama of $3 pieces from 1854 through 1889 offers many opportunities for acquiring a coin as a type, including the first year of issue, which also happens to be the highest in mintage. Circulated examples are readily available of most of the higher-mintage dates of the 1850’s, also of 1878 (typically in a higher circulated grade such as different levels of AU) and, less often, of dates in the 1880’s. In the $3 series the first year of issue, in this instance 1854, is often seen in Mint State. Most examples of this year have somewhat satiny lustrous surfaces. Afterward, a long span of years elapses without Mint State pieces being readily available, until 1879. From that point through 1889, an era of low mintages, quite a few choice and gem examples exist, as at the time $3 pieces were a popular speculation and also had intense numismatic interest. Three-dollar gold pieces of 1878 are also fairly numerous in Mint State but tend to be bagmarked and have luster less attractive than the other dates just mentioned.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: The typical $3 piece tends to be well struck, but there are exceptions. Points of observation include the tips of the ostrich feathers in the headdress, the hair details below the band inscribed LIBERTY, and, on the reverse, check the wreath details as well as the date numerals. Many of the later issues are prooflike, especially in the early 1880’s.

Proof Coins: Proofs were made of all years, but today those most often seen are from the 1880’s. Examples are usually fairly choice.