Pre-Long Beach Elite Coin Auction

A brilliant and highly lustrous 1854 that has exquisitely preserved surfaces for the modest grade. Devices as "sharp as a two-edged sword"...

First year of the design and a lustrous specimen without many contact marks and only a few wispy hairlines.

The reverse displays an "agricultural wreath" by Longacre enclosing 3 DOLLARS and the date. The reverse wreath was later used on the desig...

Why this curious denomination? It has been suggested that the $3 had utility in the purchase of 100-subject sheets of three-cent stamps, or the acquis

The U.S. Mints paid no attention whatsoever to creating coins for collectors back in those days, unlike today, and pieces such as this were made and i

Lustrous. All of the dates in the 1860s have low mintage, with 1860 being typical at 7,036 plus 119 Proofs.

A well-struck example with about 40% to 50% luster, although somewhat hairlined from use. A low mintage year: 5,959 struck for circulation.

Scruffy surfaces and some very minor rim nicks. Scarce: only 5,750 business strikes minted.

Lightly cleaned. Only 5,000 circulation strikes minted in 1863.

Close to 95% luster with only a faint trace of hairline friction.