1859 $3 Indian Princess NGC AU55 CAC

The obverse of this coin features a left-facing portrayal of Liberty, encompassed by the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Liberty is adorned with an Indian headdress adorned with ostrich plumes, while a portion of the headdress is etched with the word LIBERTY. On the reverse, a wreath composed of wheat, cotton, corn, and tobacco is showcased. Enclosed within the wreath are the coin's denomination and the date of issue, with the mintmark positioned beneath the wreath. Frequently referred to as the Indian Princess Head, this coin's obverse presents an image of Liberty that does not depict an American Indian but is rather influenced by the Greco-Roman sculpture Venus Accroupie, which the designer admired in a museum in Philadelphia. The inclusion of the headdress is intended to infuse a sense of national identity into the coin. The headdress itself had served as a symbol of America, recognized universally, and had been utilized by engravers since as far back as 1562. The wreath serves a dual purpose by highlighting America's agricultural prosperity and carrying a political undertone. In the context of 1854, a period when the United States was deeply divided and the Civil War loomed, the addition of cotton to the wreath symbolized a unifying theme, even though cotton was exclusively cultivated in the Southern states. Production of three-dollar pieces took place in Philadelphia, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Demonstrating the limited demand for the coin, branch Mints only engaged in coin production for 5 out of the 35 years, and always in scant quantities.