LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2006 October Dallas Signature Coin Auction #428  / 

2656

1868 $3 MS66 PCGS.From The Hamburg-Sonoma Collection.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1868 $3 MS66 PCGS.From The Hamburg-Sonoma Collection.
<B>1868<$3> MS66 PCGS.</B></I> After the Civil War, gold and silver coins remained a precious commodity that was hoarded and remained totally absent from circulation, except on the West coast. Similarly, mintages remained extremely small, especially at the Philadelphia Mint. At the time, the only operating branch Mint was in San Francisco. The New Orleans, Dahlonega, and Charlotte Mints had all ceased operations at the start of the Civil War, and only New Orleans would eventually reopen. The Carson City Mint was in planning stages, but had not yet opened its doors.<BR> Total production of three-dollar gold pieces during the year was 4,875 coins, including 25 proofs. Today, it is estimated that less than 100 Mint States examples of this date survive, along with 300 to 400 circulated pieces, according to Q. David Bowers and Douglas Winter in <I>The United States $3 Gold Pieces.</B></I> Nearly all existing Mint State coins are in the lower numerical levels, from MS60 to 63. Gem quality survivors are extremely rare, as evidenced by the population totals. This piece, for example, is one of just two MS66 grade coins that have been certified by PCGS (9/06), with none finer. NGC has never graded an MS66 and has only certified one finer piece.<BR> This is a remarkable Gem with frosty yellow-gold luster on both sides. The surfaces have hints of pink and traces of blue or green toning. Perhaps the only criticism of this example is the strike, which is not full and exhibits some weakness at the ribbon bow on the reverse.<BR><I>From The Hamburg-Sonoma Collection.</B></I>
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