The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
Numismatic Rarity
Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
Relative Rarity By Type
Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
Relative Rarity By Series
Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
David Akers (1975/88):
This restrike was struck using the obverse die of 1872 and was probably minted sometime in 1873. Only two pieces are known; one of them is in the Wilkinson Collection and the other appeared in the Farouk Sale in 1954. The restrike is easily distinguishable from the regular issue proofs by the fact that the date slants noticeably up to the right and the first three digits of the date are very weak, while the 5 is sharp and bold.
Description: Obverse. Head of Liberty facing left wearing a feathered headdress. LIBERTY is inscribed on the band between two rows of beads. Surrounding the head is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This is the three dollar obverse die of 1872. Reverse. The denomination, 3 DOLLARS, and the date, 1865, are inside a wreath of tobacco, wheat, corn, and cotton. Similar to the regular reverse die except that the date slants up to the right.
Comments: Since the obverse die of this piece is the one used for the regular issue of 1872, it is obvious that this is a restrike, probably minted sometime in 1873. A gold dollar of the same date and characteristics (date slanting up to the right) also exists but the reason for striking either of these pieces is a mystery.
The dollar exists only in gold but the three dollar piece exists in copper and silver as well as gold. For this reason, and probably no other, it has been included in pattern listings ever since Robert Coulton Davis began publishing the first pattern listing ever in The Coin Collector's Journal in November, 1885.
For many years this restrike was considered to be unique. Adams and Woodin listed it as R15 (unique) and F.C.C. Boyd, who owned a specimen, also thought that his piece was unique. A second specimen is now known, however.
One of the two pieces is owned by Paramount International Coin Corporation who purchased it together with the rest of the Wilkison collection of gold patterns. Dr. Wilkison acquired the piece from Dr. Judd's collection in 1962 and Judd obtained it from Boyd. Prior to that it was owned by William Woodin. The other specimen was sold in the Farouk sale in 1954. It realized 200 Egyptian pounds or approximately $574.00. The present location of that piece is unknown to me.
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