1878 $3 MS(PCGS#8000)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

8056

Grade

MS65+

Price

8,700

Lot Description

A magnificent upper end Gem with a hint of pale pink iridescence to otherwise warm medium gold color. Sharply struck with a bold satin to softly frosted finish, this coin ranks among the finest certified not only of the issue but of the entire denomination. It is a desirable piece equally well suited for inclusion in an advanced collection of this challenging 19th century odd denomination series or a high grade gold type set. Introduced in 1854 to coincide with the change in the first-class postal rate to 3¢, the three-dollar gold piece was intended to make the purchase of a sheet of 100 stamps easier. However, the new gold coin never took off for everyday use and mintages were mostly modest with only 10 of the 43 issues exceeding 10,000 pieces. In 1878, the Philadelphia Mint struck 82,304 three-dollar gold pieces, second only to the initial 1854 in terms of number coined. Many of the coins sat in Treasury coffers until they were eventually melted. Minimal quantities were struck at Philadelphia for another 11 years before the denomination was abolished in 1889. <p><p>