1863 $3 PR65 Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, High R.6....

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1863 Three Dollar, PR65 Cameo
A Spectacular Proof Gold Rarity
The First at Auction in Eight Years
Ex: Boyd, Bareford

1863 $3 PR65 Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, High R.6. The 1863 is among the rarest proof three dollar gold issues. The 39-coin mintage was delivered on March 23, 1863, and most pieces were sold in six-piece gold proof sets. Over time, these sets were broken up and the coins disbursed. In recent decades, the number of proof 1863 three dollar gold pieces appearing on the market is trivial. Survival estimates range from a low of eight or nine coins to a high of 20 to 25 pieces, the larger figures being those of PCGS. John Dannreuther's recent reference work, United States Proof Coins, Volume IV -- Gold, provides an estimate of 14 to 16 pieces: "Breen thought less than a dozen examples survived; although this author believe [sic] this number is a bit low, only a few more than that still exist."

A preliminary examination of auction records can account for the provenance of at least 10 coins, although plate matching is difficult due to the mirrored fields and sometimes poor quality of photography and a margin of error must be allowed. This survivorship includes three pieces that are in institutional collections, namely the Smithsonian, the ANS, and the Harry W. Bass. Jr. Core Collection.

The piece offered here is plate-matched to the Harold S. Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/1978), lot 133, with provenance that extends concretely to F.C.C. Boyd prior to 1946. It is a beautiful piece that shows liquidlike mirroring in the fields and frosty, needle-sharp devices. A couple of short, thin scratches in the reverse margin between the wreath and dentils serve as pedigree markers, although the surfaces are largely pristine otherwise. Cameo contrast is stark on both sides, complemented by bright yellow-gold color.

This is the first proof 1863 three dollar piece to appear at public auction since 2011. It is also one of only three distinct examples of this issue that we have handled. Clearly, the 1863 proof is a rarity that is coveted by collectors, with the few known examples held by strong hands. It may be years before another example is released to the public. Population: 3 in 65 Cameo, 0 finer. CAC: 2 in 65, 0 finer (6/19).
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd; World's Greatest Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 1/1946), lot 278; Memorable Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 3/1948), lot 249; Harold S. Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/1978), lot 133; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2011), lot 5064.
From The Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Collection. (Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28A3, PCGS# 88026, Greysheet# 8696)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 5.02 grams
AGW: 0.16oz

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