Indian Princess Three Dollars 1854-1889

About This Series

Among the most peculiar denominations in American coinage history, the three-dollar gold piece was authorized by the Act of February 21, 1853, ostensibly to facilitate the purchase of sheets of one hundred three-cent stamps. Chief Engraver James B. Longacre designed the Indian Princess obverse with feathered headdress, while the reverse features an agricultural wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco. Despite its rationale, the three-dollar piece never gained commercial acceptance — the public found it confusingly similar to the quarter eagle. Mintages remained consistently low throughout thirty-six years, creating a series rich in rare dates. The 1870-S, with only one confirmed example, ranks among the greatest American coin rarities, while the 1875 was produced exclusively in proof with just 20 pieces. The denomination's commercial failure ironically became its numismatic triumph — low mintages ensure virtually every date presents a challenge. Struck in .900 fine gold at 20.5 mm, the three-dollar piece occupies a unique niche as a denomination that existed for decades without finding its intended purpose.

Series Information