1882 $3 MS64 Certification #18588508, PCGS #8004

Fully struck, mellow gold coloring, with proof-like appearance.

David Akers (1975/88)

Along with the 1879 and 1880, the 1882 is seen more often in choice condition than one might normally expect from the very low mintage. I am unaware of any hoards of this date as there were in the case of the 1879 and 1880, but for some reason there is a relatively large number of very choice specimens available. This date has also been widely counterfeited and, unfortunately, the fakes of this date are among the most deceptive that I have seen. All of the business strike 1882's that I have encountered have had an abnormality under the 2 in the date. It appears as though it might have been a 2 that was originally punched too high and for this reason it has often been called the "High 2" variety. A number of fully proof-like first strikes exist of this date. Of course, if a particular coin is the High 2 variety, it is not a proof, since as I indicated in my book on quarter eagles, it is my opinion that proofs and business strikes of gold coins were never struck from the same dies.