The 1854-D Three Dollar Gold Piece (Buy on eBay) carries several distinctions which makes it extremely popular with collectors. The coin represents the first year of issue for both the series and denomination, the only issue of the denomination struck at the Dahlonega Mint, and last but not least, it boasts an extremely low mintage of 1,120 pieces.
From the original mintage, it has been estimated that 125 to 150 examples survive, with very few pieces known to exist in uncirculated condition. As with many Dahlonega gold coins, striking quality is a problem, and virtually all known survivors show weakness at the high points.
An example of this coin from the D. Brent Pogue Collection graded PCGS MS-62 realized a price of $188,000 when sold at auction in 2016.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: James B. Longacre
- Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Weight: 5.015 grams
- Diameter: 20.5 mm
- Edge: Reeded
