1870 Proof Three Dollar Pattern - J-1029

Coin Details

Auction Record

$8,719 PR63BN 04-29-2018 Heritage Auctions

Description

Using the regular 1870 three dollar dies, J-1029 was struck in copper, rendering Longacre's Indian Princess obverse and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wreath reverse in a base metal. The three dollar gold piece had been a problematic denomination since its 1854 introduction, never achieving widespread commercial acceptance, and by 1870 its continued production was increasingly difficult to justify. Copper impressions of the three dollar dies preserve the design's distinctive Indian Princess motif — Liberty wearing a feathered headdress surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — in a format far more accessible to collectors than the gold originals.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare, estimated 4-12 examples known.

Cross References

Judd-1029, Pollock-1164