1854 $3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS MS68

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PCGS MS67+

PCGS #:: 7969

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.02 grams

Mintage:: 138,618

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $132,000 • MS67 • 01-28-1990 • Superior Galleries

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1854 $3

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	10,000	R-3.0	40 / 41	40 / 41
60 or Better	3,000	R-4.4	39 / 41	39 / 41
65 or Better	30	R-8.9	26 / 41	26 / 41

Survival Estimate
All Grades	10,000
60 or Better	3,000
65 or Better	30

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.0
60 or Better	R-4.4
65 or Better	R-8.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	40 / 41
60 or Better	39 / 41
65 or Better	26 / 41

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	40 / 41
60 or Better	39 / 41
65 or Better	26 / 41

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	Sotheby's 11/1999:74 - Heritage 6/2004:6219, $112,125
2	MS67+ PCGS grade	Great Lakes Collection - Larry Hanks, sold privately as an entire collection on 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers 2/2016:3089, $64,625
2	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS66+ PCGS grade	Hansin Collection 1800/1899 19th Century Type Set
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

Sotheby's 11/1999:74 - Heritage 6/2004:6219, $112,125

#2 MS67+ PCGS grade

Great Lakes Collection - Larry Hanks, sold privately as an entire collection on 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers 2/2016:3089, $64,625

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

#4 MS66+ PCGS grade

Hansin Collection 1800/1899 19th Century Type Set

#5 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

I'm shocked -- shocked I say -- that David Akers called this an "unecessary" denomination. How else were people expected to purchase a hundred Three Cent stamps in 1854? Yes, it was an unusual denomination, but collectors today are certainly glad they were made.

Akers was correct that this is the second most comon date of the series. The 1878 $3 is the big winner and the 1874 is a distant third, with all other dates way back in the pack. Hundreds of Mint State 1854 $3's exist, mostly in MS62 followed by MS63, then MS64. Gems make up only a small percentage of the Mint State population and anything above MS65 is extremely rare. The best example is a PCGS MS68 that sold in a 2004 Heritage sale for $112,125.

David Akers (1975/88): The 1854 is the first year of issue for this unusual and unnecessary denomination and actually it is a distinctly different type from subsequent years because the word DOLLARS on the reverse is much smaller (about half the size) than on issues from 1855 to 1889. This is the second most common date in the series from the standpoint of total number of appearances although a number of dates have appeared more often in strictly uncirculated condition. However, choice BU specimens of the 1854 are certainly available with considerable regularity.