1855-S $3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS62+

PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 7973

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.02 grams

Mintage:: 6,600

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $264,000 • MS64 • 09-29-2022 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1855-S $3

Die Varieties

1855-S $3 S.S. Central America #2 (with Pinch)

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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	400	R-6.2	9 / 41 TIE	9 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	4	R-9.8	1 / 41 TIE	1 / 41 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 41	1 / 41

Survival Estimate
All Grades	400
60 or Better	4
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	9 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 41

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	9 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 41

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS62+ PCGS grade	Buddy Ebsen Collection - Great Lakes Collection - Hanks & Associates, sold privately as an entire collection in 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3093, $55,225
1	MS62 estimated grade
3	MS61 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade

#1 MS62+ PCGS grade

Buddy Ebsen Collection - Great Lakes Collection - Hanks & Associates, sold privately as an entire collection in 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3093, $55,225

#1 MS62 estimated grade

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

#4 AU58 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): This date is very scarce in all grades and it actually has the fewest number of auction appearances in our 238 catalogue auction survey of any regularly issued date in the series with the exception of the 1873 Closed 3 which may or may not have been intended for circulation (See comments on 1873 Closed 3). The 1855-S is also tied with the 1857-S for second lowest number of auction records in unc. and it has the fewest auction records in AU. Overall, it has the lowest average grade of any date in the entire series. A quick look at auction records from 1950 to 1976 shows that no 1855-S was catalogued as better than EF since 1950. I have only seen two AU's, as well as a small number of EF's, but I understand that the Bass Collection contains a choice unc that was formerly in the Krug Collection. All things considered, the 1855-S is one of the rarest and certainly among the most unappreciated dates in the series.