1889 $3, CAM PR(PCGS#88053)

1889 $3, CAM PR (PCGS#88053)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Pretty medium golden-yellow color is seen on both sides of this attractively original specimen. There is also some light silver-olive tinting, especially on the reverse, and it confirms this coin's originality. No singularly mentionable handling marks are seen and a few small, shallow planchet flakes scattered about in the reverse field are as made; the most significant of the latter for provenance purposes are above the letter R in DOLLARS and inside the lower left border at 8 o'clock. Fully struck with bold field to device contrast. <p>This elegant Gem Cameo specimen is from the 129 Proofs struck in the final year of the three-dollar gold series. The final year status makes the 1889 popular for inclusion in Proof gold type sets. Fortunately for such collectors, the 1889 is also among the more frequently encountered Proofs of the denomination, John W. Dannreuther (2018) accounting for 75 to 90 coins extant in all grades. This is a lower estimated population than for the Proof 1886, 1887 and 1888, suggesting that the final year of production was not greeted with a surge in interest among contemporary collectors or dealers. Today, however, the survivors are eagerly sought, especially those with quality and eye appeal like the Proof-65 Cameo specimen offered here. A fitting conclusion to our offering of the outstanding and significant Floyd T. Starr $3 gold set, and a find for the discerning numismatist.