1878 $3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS MS67+

PCGS MS67+

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PCGS MS67+

PCGS MS67+

PCGS MS67+

PCGS MS67+

PCGS #:
8000
Designer:
James Barton Longacre
Edge:
Reeded
Diameter:
20.50 millimeters
Weight:
5.02 grams
Mintage:
82,304
Mint:
Philadelphia
Metal:
90% Gold, 10% Copper
Major Varieties

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades Survival
Estimate
Numismatic
Rarity
Relative Rarity
By Type
Relative Rarity
By Series
All Grades 25,000 R-2.7 41 / 41 41 / 41
60 or Better 6,000 R-3.8 40 / 41 40 / 41
65 or Better 400 R-6.2 31 / 41 31 / 41
Survival Estimate
All Grades 25,000
60 or Better 6,000
65 or Better 400
Numismatic Rarity
All Grades R-2.7
60 or Better R-3.8
65 or Better R-6.2
Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades 41 / 41
60 or Better 40 / 41
65 or Better 31 / 41
Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades 41 / 41
60 or Better 40 / 41
65 or Better 31 / 41

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 MS67+ PCGS grade
1 MS67+ PCGS grade
1 MS67+ PCGS grade
4 MS67 PCGS grade MS67 PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9//2015:308, $47,000

4 MS67 PCGS grade
4 MS67 PCGS grade
4 MS67 PCGS grade
4 MS67 PCGS grade
9 MS66+ PCGS grade
9 MS66+ PCGS grade
#1 MS67+ PCGS grade
#1 MS67+ PCGS grade
#1 MS67+ PCGS grade
MS67 PCGS grade #4 MS67 PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9//2015:308, $47,000

#4 MS67 PCGS grade
#4 MS67 PCGS grade
#4 MS67 PCGS grade
#4 MS67 PCGS grade
#9 MS66+ PCGS grade
#9 MS66+ PCGS grade
Ron Guth:

Thanks to the data we now have in 2015, the 1878 is the most common date in the entire series of Three Dollar Gold pieces, and it is the most common by a wide margin over the 1854 and 1874. PCGS alone has certified thousands of this date in Mint State from MS62 to MS64. In MS65 and better, the populations drop off dramatically until MS67, where 1878 becomes a true-condition rarity. The finest example is a single PCGS MS67+.

The 1878 is known for its frosty luster which, on high grade pieces, has a shimmering effect that is simply lovely.. The strike is usually good, but sometimes weak on the knot at the base of the wreath. This date has been heavily counterfeited, so beware of raw examples offered in the marketplace.

David Akers (1975/88): Although this date has a significantly lower mintage than the 1854, it is by a slight margin the most common date in the series, and by far the most common in uncirculated condition. The two Beck sales alone contained 30 uncirculated pieces, and this is the one date in the series that is reasonably available in choice condition.