1870 $3 Indian Princess PCGS AU58 CAC
2025/11/18
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2025/11/18
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Introduction
The 1870 $3 Indian Princess Gold Piece stands as one of the most captivating and collectible denominations in U.S. coinage history. Certified AU58 by PCGS and approved by CAC, this coin displays near-Mint State surfaces with minimal wear and strong remaining luster. It represents the final years of a denomination that was never widely circulated but has become a cornerstone of 19th-century gold collecting. With its combination of rarity, artistry, and preservation, this example is a premium opportunity for discerning collectors.
History
Authorized by the Coinage Act of 1853 and first issued in 1854, the $3 Gold Piece was introduced during a time of significant growth in the American economy. Its purpose was partly to facilitate the purchase of full sheets of 3-cent postage stamps, but public demand for the denomination remained limited.
By 1870, production had dwindled dramatically. The Philadelphia Mint struck just 3,500 business strikes that year, making this issue among the scarcer entries in the series. Many were melted or lost, leaving few survivors in high grade. The AU58 example offered here represents one of the finest attainable quality levels, bridging the gap between circulated and Mint State rarity while carrying the CAC endorsement for superior quality within the grade.
Design
Chief Engraver James B. Longacre designed the $3 Indian Princess with elegance and symmetry. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty wearing a feathered Native American-style headdress inscribed with LIBERTY across the band—a motif symbolizing both classical beauty and national identity. The reverse presents an agricultural wreath of corn, cotton, wheat, and tobacco encircling the denomination and date, reflecting the economic foundations of 19th-century America.
In AU58 condition, the 1870 $3 Indian Princess retains crisp details in Liberty’s headdress and the reverse wreath, with soft satiny luster accenting the design. The CAC sticker confirms this coin’s superior visual appeal and originality, making it a standout in any collection of early U.S. gold.
| Metal | Gold |
|---|---|
| Year | 1870 |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Fineness | .900 |
| Diameter | 20.5mm |
| Weight | 0.1612 |
A LITTLE STICKER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Within each number of the coin grading scale is a small range of condition from low-end to high-end. Certified coins of the same grade can be of varying quality. Many of today’s collectors want coins that are solid or premium quality for their assigned grade. CAC holds coins to a higher standard so you can be confident in the value of yours. We verify previously graded coins … and award our sticker only to those coins that meet the standard for today’s selective buyer.
WHAT THE CAC STICKER MEANS:
- Verified. Your coin has been verified as meeting the standard for strict quality within its grade.
- Guaranteed. CAC stands behind our verification.
THE CAC STICKER IS BACKED BY EXPERIENCE.
CAC was founded by leading members of the numismatic community, including John Albanese, a respected authority on coin grading and the rare coin market.
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