1866 Three Dollar Pattern - J-C1866-1

Coin Details

Description

Judd-C1866-1 is a three dollar gold pattern from 1866, bearing a catalog designation in the supplementary "C" series that indicates it was not included in the original Judd numbering but was identified and cataloged by later researchers. The obverse features the Indian Princess Head design by James B. Longacre that had served on the three dollar coin since its introduction in 1854, while the reverse displays the wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco enclosing THREE DOLLARS. The three dollar gold piece was among the more unusual denominations in American coinage, authorized in 1854 primarily to facilitate the purchase of three-cent postage stamps in sheet quantities. By 1866, the denomination was already declining in popularity, with mintages falling well below those of the more practical half eagle and quarter eagle. Pattern strikings from this year relate to the integration of the IN GOD WE TRUST motto, which Congress mandated for all sufficiently sized coins beginning in 1866, or to other design modifications under consideration. The "C" prefix in the Judd numbering system denotes pieces discovered or reclassified after the main catalog was established, often based on examination of Mint records, institutional collections, or previously unrecognized die varieties. These supplementary entries fill gaps in the historical record and sometimes represent the most significant numismatic discoveries, as they document pieces that escaped attention during the original cataloging efforts. The three dollar denomination's inherent rarity makes any pattern striking particularly scarce, as the Mint produced fewer experimental pieces for denominations with limited commercial demand.

Rarity Notes

R.8. Extremely rare. The three dollar denomination saw minimal pattern production, and supplementary Judd numbers suggest very few specimens.

Cross References

Judd-C1866-1; Three dollar gold pattern series