1857-S $3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Princess $3 1854-1889

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS65

PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 7977

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.02 grams

Mintage:: 14,250

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $96,000 • MS64 • 09-29-2022 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1857-S $3

Die Varieties

1857-S $3 S.S. Central America #2 (with pinch)

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	550	R-5.9	15 / 41 TIE	15 / 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	550
60 or Better	4
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.9
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	15 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 41

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	15 / 41 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 41

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Dorothy Gershenson Collection, sold privately - Great Lakes Collection - Hanks & Associates, sold privately as an entire collection in 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3097, $76,375
2	MS62+ PCGS grade	Simpson Collection
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Dorothy Gershenson Collection, sold privately - Great Lakes Collection - Hanks & Associates, sold privately as an entire collection in 10/2005 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3097, $76,375

#2 MS62+ PCGS grade

Simpson Collection

#3 AU58 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): This date is very scarce in any condition and is almost unobtainable better than EF. Only the 1855-S had fewer combined auction records in AU and Unc. In fact, the 1857-S had the 10th lowest total number of auction records in our 238 catalogue auction survey in the entire series and the fifth (sixth if one counts the 1873 Closed 3) lowest number among the regular issues. This is one of four regularly issued dates in the series of which I have never seen a mint state specimen. (The 1854-D, 1855-S, and 1860-S are the other three.) I have, however, seen two AU50 pieces and one AU55 in addition to a small number of EF's. The vast majority of known specimens are VF or less as evidenced by the fact that 53 out of 79 auction records in our auction survey are for low grade pieces. Overall, this scarce and underrated date tied for first in the entire series according to rarity by average grade.