Numismatic

1878 $3 Gold Princess MS-61 PCGS

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The three-dollar gold piece remains one of the most unusual and captivating denominations in United States coinage. Minted in 1878 at the Philadelphia Mint without a mint mark, this specific coin survived the decades in exceptional condition, earning a Mint State 61 (MS-61) certification. The Philadelphia facility produced a total of 82,304 of these coins during that year, making specimens in this state of preservation a fascinating find for those who appreciate nineteenth-century coinage. The obverse of the coin features an idealized female figure representing Liberty, adorned with a stylized Native American headdress, a design often referred to as the Princess head. The word LIBERTY is inscribed upon the band of the headdress, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. On the reverse, the coin displays its denomination of 3 DOLLARS alongside the year 1878, all framed within a detailed wreath of agricultural products. Composed of 90 percent gold, this coin contains 0.1451 troy ounces of precious metal, representing a unique era of American monetary experimentation.