1886 $3 PR66 PCGS....

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Incredible 1886 Three Dollar Gold, PR66
Finest Certified

1886 $3 PR66 PCGS. The mintage of proof three dollar gold pieces in 1886 was a whopping 142 coins. Of course, since the business strike total was only 1,000 pieces, proofs seem relatively common for the issue. There has always been pressure on the tiny proof mintage to satisfy collector demand for high-end examples of the date, and Q. David Bowers estimates perhaps 80-100 specimens are still extant. An example of this date was featured in the Stickney Collection (Henry Chapman, 6/1907), lot 719a. The lot reads "1886 Brilliant Proof. Rare. Only 1142 coined." Apparently, Chapman added the business strike mintage and the proof total to get 1,142 pieces. Until recent times, numismatists tended to think of "proof" as a grade, rather than a method of manufacture, and many collectors still fail to make the distinction today, just as Chapman did in 1907
For 1886 three dollar gold pieces, examples do not get any more high-end than the present specimen. This coin is the holder of "Finest Certified" honors, with no known rivals at either of the major grading services (3/09). The pristine surfaces show the desirable orange-peel appearance typical of gold proofs of the era. The element of contrast is strong, creating a beautiful cameo effect, but PCGS has not identified this piece as Cameo. We mention one tiny mark in the right obverse field for pedigree purposes.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28AV, PCGS# 8050, GSID# 8766)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 5.02 grams
AGW: 0.14511oz
Mintage: 142

View Certification Details from PCGS