1881 $3 XF45 Certification #51672510, PCGS #8003

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1881 is notable in that it has the lowest official mintage of any three dollar gold piece regularly issued for circulation. Despite the ultra low mintage of only 554 pieces, a figure which includes 54 proofs, the 1881 ranks only 21st in rarity in our 238 catalogue auction survey according to the number of appearances and 28th in rarity according to average grade. Every specimen that I have seen is proof-like.

Although with most dates the tendency is to mistake first strike uncirculated pieces for proofs, I can say that in the case of the 1881, I have seen several proofs called first strike uncs! Actually choice uncs and proofs of this date are about equal in rarity and bring approximately the same price when offered at auction.

PCGS #

8003

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

20.50 millimeters

Weight

5.02 grams

Mintage

500

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

111

Pop Lower

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	300	R-6.4	5 / 41 TIE	5 / 41 TIE
All Grades	50	R-8.5	13 / 41	13 / 41
60 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 41 TIE	1 / 41 TIE

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	300
All Grades	50
60 or Better	1

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-6.4
All Grades	R-8.5
60 or Better	R-10.0

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	5 / 41 TIE
All Grades	13 / 41
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE

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	5 / 41 TIE
All Grades	13 / 41
60 or Better	1 / 41 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Great Lakes Collection
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2013:7064, $24,087.50
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Great Lakes Collection

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2013:7064, $24,087.50

#2 MS64 PCGS grade