1881 $3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS64+

PCGS MS63+

PCGS #:: 8003

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.02 grams

Mintage:: 500

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $76,375 • MS66+ • 02-09-2016 • Stack's Bowers

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Major Varieties

1881 $3
1881 $3, PL

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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	300	R-6.4	5 / 41 TIE	5 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	50	R-8.5	13 / 41	13 / 41
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 41 TIE	1 / 41 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	300
60 or Better	50
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.4
60 or Better	R-8.5
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 41
65 or Better	1 / 41 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	5 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 41
65 or Better	1 / 41 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Great Lakes Collection
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2013:7064, $24,087.50
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Great Lakes Collection

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2013:7064, $24,087.50

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1881 is notable in that it has the lowest official mintage of any three dollar gold piece regularly issued for circulation. Despite the ultra low mintage of only 554 pieces, a figure which includes 54 proofs, the 1881 ranks only 21st in rarity in our 238 catalogue auction survey according to the number of appearances and 28th in rarity according to average grade. Every specimen that I have seen is proof-like.

Although with most dates the tendency is to mistake first strike uncirculated pieces for proofs, I can say that in the case of the 1881, I have seen several proofs called first strike uncs! Actually choice uncs and proofs of this date are about equal in rarity and bring approximately the same price when offered at auction.