1878 Indian Princess Three Dollar
Base
About This Coin
The 1878 Indian Princess Three Dollar is a United States dollar from the Indian Princess Three Dollars 1854-1889 series — 25th of 36 years in the series. In 1878, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 82,324. This represents the second-highest annual mintage in the series, above the series median of 2,665. The obverse features a female figure wearing a feathered headdress, representing Liberty in the guise of a Native American princess, similar to but distinct from the gold dollar design and the reverse displays a wreath of tobacco, wheat, corn, and cotton enclosing the denomination 3 DOLLARS and date. Increased mintage (82,304) as gold coins returned to circulation. The most common date of the later years. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 5.02 grams, 20.5 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 3 years after the celebrated 1875 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $1.4K to $35K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $71K in MS67+ grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
