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[L#0450] 1875 Pattern $3 J1437 PF63 gilt

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
[L#0450] 1875 Pattern $3 J1437 PF63 gilt
(SEGS certified, mislabeled as P-1578.) Smooth matte-finish surface with very choice preservation and mark-free originality. Obverse and reverse: The dies used to coin regular-issue Proof coins this year. As collectors are well aware, 1875 $3 gold pieces are landmark rarities in this denomination, with only 20 Proofs minted and no business strikes. What collectors may not know is that the mint also struck-off a few trail strikes, as they are called -- presumably to test the dies, but also quite possible as "favors" for collectors. This is one of the very rare aluminum patterns, of which possibly no more than 4 to 12 were made (Rarity-7 in Pollock), plated outside the mint with a fine satin-to-matte gold finish. Few collectors ever get the opportunity to bid on one of these 1875 rarities.