1889 $3 MS(PCGS#8011)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3118

Grade

MS65+

Price

17,400

Lot Description

This is an exceptionally well preserved and attractive example of the popular final year 1889 $3 gold issue. Smooth surfaces are highly lustrous with a softly frosted finish. Sharply struck with remarkably vivid reddish-gold color, wisps of powder blue iridescence toward the upper obverse and lower reverse borders add further appeal. We anticipate that strong bidding will be required to win this premium quality Gem.<p>Circulation strike production for the final date of this denomination amounted to just 2,300 coins, down more than 50% from the previous year's mintage, all delivered by the coiner in December of the year (though a portion was almost certainly never distributed). It is thought that 200 to 250 Mint State examples can be accounted for, along with 100 to 130 circulated pieces. The typical circulated specimen is AU. Fortunately for today's quality conscious numismatists, Uncirculated survivors of this date are fairly available in the marketplace, although we stress that most such examples grade no finer than MS-64. Indeed, finding another coin as nice as this one will require significant patience.