Numismatic

1854 $3 Gold Princess XF-45 NGC

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In 1854, the United States introduced a unique denomination to its currency system: the three-dollar gold coin. This inaugural year of the series showcases a distinctive obverse design depicting an Indian Princess, her hair styled in tight curls that cascade over her neck. The reverse side features a detailed wreath surrounding the denomination and the 1854 year of issue. Struck with a purity of 0.900 gold, this coin contains 0.1451 troy ounces of actual precious metal. The total mintage for this first-year issue was 138,618 pieces. Over the decades, a vast number of these coins were melted down, significantly reducing the population of surviving specimens and making the remaining examples highly intriguing historical artifacts. This particular specimen has been certified by professional numismatists, receiving an Extremely Fine 45 (XF-45) grade. The legible reverse inscriptions clearly display the denomination as 3 DOLLARS above the 1854 date, offering a direct connection to mid-nineteenth-century American coinage history.