United States 1888 3 dollars
This specimen was lot 3672 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 4,375 CHF (about US$6,594 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "USA, 3 Dollars 1888, Philadelphia. Indian princess head type. Selten in dieser Erhaltung, Rare in this condition. PCGS MS64." The three dollar gold piece was authorized by Congress in 1853 and first struck in 1854. Ostensibly produced to ease transactions with the new silver three cent piece, numismatists have debated for decades the reason for its introduction, as it quickly proved unwanted. After 35 years of ever diminishing production, it was terminated in 1889. Thousands were still in Treasury vaults when the great melt of 1933 occurred. Today, it is the scarcest denomination struck for circulation.
Recorded mintage: 5,000 plus 291 proofs.
Specification: 5.01 g, 0.900 fine gold, 20.5 mm diameter, engraved by James Longacre.
Catalog reference: KM 84, Fr-124.
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- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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