1855-S $3, BM (Proof)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS #:: 8054

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.02 grams

Mintage:: 2

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $1,322,500 • SP64 • 08-11-2011 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (5)

Major Varieties

1855-S $3, BM
1855-S $3, CAM

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Price Guide (USD)

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	1	R-10.0	1 / 1	1 / 1
60 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 1	1 / 1
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 1	1 / 1

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1
60 or Better	1
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-10.0
60 or Better	R-10.0
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	1 / 1
60 or Better	1 / 1
65 or Better	1 / 1

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	1 / 1
60 or Better	1 / 1
65 or Better	1 / 1

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS SP63BM

#1 PCGS SP63BM

P. Scott Rubin: The 1855-S coin, graded specimen-63 by PCGS and Proof-64 by NGC is the first Three Dollar Gold coin to exceed the million dollar figure at auction. The coin sold for $1,322,500 in Heritage’s August, 2011 Platinum Night auction. Q. David Bowers in his book The United States $3 Gold Pieces 1854-1889, states that at least two 1855-S Proof coins were struck, one of which went to the Mint Collection. That coin is no longer in the collection and is not known to exist today.

The San Francisco Mint opened in 1854 and produced a Proof Double Eagle that year which was sent to the Mint(Smithsonian) Collection. The following year the San Francisco Mint produced three denominations of Proofs the quarter, the half dollar and the three dollar gold piece. This was an uncommon practice for branch mints but not unique since the New Orleans Mint produced proof half dollars in 1838 and 1839 its first two years of operation.

Until the time when and if the unique 1870-S three dollar gold piece is offered for sale it is likely that the unique 1855-S Proof will remain the most expensive coin in the series.