1869 $3 JD-1, High R.6, PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS....

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1869 Three Dollar, PR66 Deep Cameo
First on the Condition Census
Only 25 Proofs Struck

1869 $3 JD-1, High R.6, PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. Two years ago we sold the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection 1869 three dollar gold proof for a record price of $114,000 as lot #9015 in that sale. As spectacular as that Deep Cameo proof was, this coin is a full point finer tops the roster of known 1869 proofs. It is also the finest proof at PCGS and currently serves as the CoinFacts plate coin. This is the finest 1869 three dollar gold proof certified by PCGS and it serves as the current CoinFacts plate coin. Only 25 examples of the 1869 three dollar were struck in proof format, with those coins delivered to the coiner on February 19. Of that mintage, John Dannreuther estimates that only 12 to 14 pieces survive. This is an exceptional coin with eye-popping contrast set against beautifully deep-mirrored fields. The coin can be identified by a tiny lint mark near Liberty's upper lip and a minuscule planchet flake above the upper left serif of R in DOLLARS. Except for those Mint-made anomalies (and they are indeed tiny) the coin is essentially pristine and offers outstanding eye appeal. The following roster of three dollar gold pieces was provided by Ron Guth of the Numismatic Detective Agency, here updated to include the present coin. PCGS Population: 1 in 66 Deep Cameo, 0 finer (12/25).

Roster of Significant Proof 1869 Three Dollar Gold Pieces
1. PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. Orlando Sale (Stack's 1/2007), lot 1226, $57,500; Cold Spring Harbor Type Set (Stack's Bowers, 8/2024), lot 3304. The present coin.
2. PR66? Cameo NGC. Elite Coin Auction (Superior, 7/2003), lot 581, $46,000; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3477, $69,000.
3. PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Abe Kosoff, sold privately on 7/23/1973; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 4022), $114,000.
4. PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Heathrow Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 3/2006), lot 1517, $55,200; Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 2/2007), lot 2223, $74,750; Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 2/2009), lot 1415, $57,500; Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 9/2011), lot 1992, $52,900.
5. PR65 Cameo PCGS. Classics Sale (American Numismatic Rarities, 9/2003), lot 485, $50,600; Tom Bender Collection (PCGS Set Registry); The Bender Family Collection, Part II (Heritage, 1/2023), lot 3405, $96,000.
6. PR65 PCGS. "Detroit" (Collection or location?), sold privately in 8/1894; John M. Clapp Collection; John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact via Stack's in 1942; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 294, $14,300; Ed Trompeter Collection (Superior, 2/1992), lot 111, $20,900; Americana Sale (Stack's, 1/2004), lot 3080, $43,125.
7. PR65 PCGS. Franklinton Collection, Part II (Stack's, 1/2008), lot 876, $63,250.
8. PR65 Cameo PCGS. Grant Pierce & Sons Collection (Stack's, 5/1965), lot 1256; Charles Jay Collection (Stack's, 10/1967), lot 281; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/1998), lot 7714, $25,300.
9. PR64+ Deep Cameo Uncertified (grade per John Dannreuther). Acquired directly from the Mint on 3/6/1869 as part of a complete proof set of the year; National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
10. PR64 Cameo PCGS. Hebbeard Collection (Harlan P. Smith / Bangs & Co., 4/1883), lot 381 (part of a complete 1869 gold proof set, gold dollar through double eagle); T. Harrison Garrett Collection; Robert Garrett Collection; John Work Garrett Collection; (Stack's, 3/1976), lot 431; Huberman Collection (Stack's Bowers, 4/2022), lot 3101, $57,600.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 106572, Base PCGS# 98032)

Weight: 5.02 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS