1881 $3 MS(PCGS#8003)

1881 $3 MS (PCGS#8003)

The January 2011 Tampa Bay Rarities Sale

Losbeschreibung: 1881 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. MS-63 (PCGS). A stand-out rarity in a series replete with scarce-to-rare issue, the business strike 1881 Three has a paltry mintage of just 500 pieces. Survivors are highly elusive in all grades, and most are at least lightly circulated (EF and AU are typical). Writing in the 2005 book <em>The United States $3 Gold Pieces: 1854-1889</em>, Q. David Bowers and Doug WInter account for a mere 20-30 coins in the various Mint State grades.<br />     This impressive absolute and condition rarity is sharply struck with a full endowment of warm reddish-orange color. Wispy handling marks are more prevalent on the obverse, although even on that side of the coin we see no individually conspicuous abrasions. Semi prooflike in finish, and sure to have no difficulty finding its way into an advanced cabinet.