1878 $3 MS62 Certification #47896514, PCGS #8000

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

Thanks to the data we now have in 2015, the 1878 is the most common date in the entire series of Three Dollar Gold pieces, and it is the most common by a wide margin over the 1854 and 1874. PCGS alone has certified thousands of this date in Mint State from MS62 to MS64. In MS65 and better, the populations drop off dramatically until MS67, where 1878 becomes a true-condition rarity. The finest example is a single PCGS MS67+.

The 1878 is known for its frosty luster which, on high grade pieces, has a shimmering effect that is simply lovely.. The strike is usually good, but sometimes weak on the knot at the base of the wreath. This date has been heavily counterfeited, so beware of raw examples offered in the marketplace.

David Akers (1975/88)

Although this date has a significantly lower mintage than the 1854, it is by a slight margin the most common date in the series, and by far the most common in uncirculated condition. The two Beck sales alone contained 30 uncirculated pieces, and this is the one date in the series that is reasonably available in choice condition.

PCGS #

8000

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

20.50 millimeters

Weight

5.02 grams

Mintage

82304

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

2303

Pop Lower

3357

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate 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.
65 or Better	25000	R-2.7	41 / 41	41 / 41
All Grades	6000	R-3.8	40 / 41	40 / 41
60 or Better	400	R-6.2	31 / 41	31 / 41

Survival Estimate 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.
65 or Better	25000
All Grades	6000
60 or Better	400

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.
65 or Better	R-2.7
All Grades	R-3.8
60 or Better	R-6.2

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.
65 or Better	41 / 41
All Grades	40 / 41
60 or Better	31 / 41

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.
65 or Better	41 / 41
All Grades	40 / 41
60 or Better	31 / 41

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade	Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9//2015:308, $47,000
4	MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

#4 MS67 PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9//2015:308, $47,000

#4 MS67 PCGS grade