3 Dollar Gold Coin Values
How Much 3 Dollar Gold Coins are Worth: 3 Dollar Gold Coin Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,395.00 | $1,565.00 | $2,655.00 | $4,453.00 | $7,610.00 | $15,350.00 | $36,800.00 |
| 1854 | D | -- | -- | $20,000.00 | $25,000.00 | $27,100.00 | $39,000.00 | $63,995.00 | $228,500.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1854 | O | -- | -- | $1,853.00 | $2,185.00 | $2,600.00 | $3,415.00 | $4,965.00 | $57,250.00 | $219,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,318.00 | $1,565.00 | $2,780.00 | $5,985.00 | $9,070.00 | $31,675.00 | $49,250.00 |
| 1855 | S | -- | -- | $1,313.00 | $1,668.00 | $2,178.00 | $3,870.00 | $6,813.00 | $52,250.00 | $146,000.00 | $301,500.00 | -- | -- |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,318.00 | $1,620.00 | $3,680.00 | $7,550.00 | $10,535.00 | $43,000.00 | $72,250.00 |
| 1856 | S | -- | -- | $1,115.00 | $1,225.00 | $1,410.00 | $2,185.00 | $3,180.00 | $14,888.00 | $65,250.00 | $100,400.00 | -- | -- |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,332.00 | $1,593.00 | $4,000.00 | $8,300.00 | $17,650.00 | $41,500.00 | $69,750.00 |
| 1857 | S | -- | -- | $1,033.00 | $1,212.00 | $1,405.00 | $2,740.00 | $5,875.00 | $28,500.00 | $74,000.00 | $106,250.00 | $215,000.00 | $315,000.00 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,000.00 | $1,945.00 | $2,960.00 | $4,218.00 | $17,150.00 | $23,650.00 | $46,325.00 | $67,500.00 | -- |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,155.00 | $1,566.00 | $2,033.00 | $4,388.00 | $10,875.00 | $14,500.00 | $26,850.00 | $45,375.00 |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,025.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,250.00 | $1,825.00 | $3,195.00 | $7,388.00 | $12,393.00 | $17,700.00 | $39,000.00 | $62,250.00 |
| 1860 | S | -- | -- | $1,715.00 | $2,130.00 | $2,600.00 | $5,530.00 | $9,040.00 | $37,600.00 | $153,500.00 | $390,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,250.00 | $1,750.00 | $2,240.00 | $4,175.00 | $6,250.00 | $12,225.00 | $20,200.00 | $29,750.00 | $39,700.00 | $54,650.00 |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,600.00 | $2,150.00 | $2,310.00 | $4,730.00 | $6,000.00 | $11,825.00 | $20,050.00 | $27,100.00 | $52,300.00 | $66,550.00 |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,660.00 | $2,905.00 | $4,510.00 | $12,560.00 | $18,675.00 | $21,025.00 | $35,125.00 | $48,150.00 |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,640.00 | $2,915.00 | $4,730.00 | $5,890.00 | $11,750.00 | $18,525.00 | $27,250.00 | $48,000.00 | $67,500.00 |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $3,000.00 | $3,750.00 | $4,055.00 | $6,280.00 | $10,150.00 | $20,200.00 | $30,150.00 | $50,200.00 | $70,250.00 | $108,700.00 |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,248.00 | $1,697.00 | $2,340.00 | $7,175.00 | $11,530.00 | $14,600.00 | $42,600.00 | $57,000.00 |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $1,350.00 | $1,705.00 | $2,765.00 | $3,830.00 | $9,620.00 | $17,550.00 | $28,200.00 | $48,400.00 | $67,500.00 |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,512.00 | $1,990.00 | $2,710.00 | $7,355.00 | $12,535.00 | $14,500.00 | $35,675.00 | $57,250.00 |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $1,713.00 | $2,100.00 | $2,875.00 | $3,470.00 | $6,925.00 | $18,625.00 | $30,300.00 | $57,000.00 | -- |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,200.00 | $1,550.00 | $1,695.00 | $2,213.00 | $2,785.00 | $7,880.00 | $14,600.00 | $32,650.00 | $50,875.00 | -- |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,645.00 | $2,393.00 | $3,125.00 | $9,238.00 | $13,550.00 | $20,825.00 | $41,350.00 | $61,400.00 |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,760.00 | $2,710.00 | $3,290.00 | $7,300.00 | $16,600.00 | $40,400.00 | $61,250.00 | -- |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,600.00 | $12,250.00 | $16,950.00 | $33,875.00 | $57,650.00 | $75,500.00 | -- | -- |
| 1874 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,318.00 | $1,565.00 | $2,655.00 | $4,260.00 | $6,170.00 | $10,078.00 | $21,450.00 |
| 1877 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $5,500.00 | $8,600.00 | $12,775.00 | $31,800.00 | $70,500.00 | $96,500.00 | $121,000.00 | -- |
| 1878 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $950 | $1,025.00 | $1,057.00 | $1,318.00 | $1,565.00 | $2,655.00 | $4,182.00 | $5,673.00 | $10,078.00 | $27,995.00 |
| 1879 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,205.00 | $1,776.00 | $2,108.00 | $4,590.00 | $7,755.00 | $12,995.00 | $16,150.00 | $25,850.00 |
| 1880 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $1,500.00 | $2,045.00 | $2,820.00 | $4,230.00 | $7,990.00 | $12,113.00 | $14,800.00 | $20,325.00 | $41,500.00 |
| 1881 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,925.00 | $6,720.00 | $10,150.00 | $16,675.00 | $25,300.00 | $44,000.00 | $70,250.00 | $99,000.00 |
| 1882 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,430.00 | $1,763.00 | $2,123.00 | $2,923.00 | $3,650.00 | $7,550.00 | $10,533.00 | $13,110.00 | $25,850.00 | $42,600.00 |
| 1883 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,045.00 | $2,510.00 | $3,485.00 | $4,230.00 | $8,365.00 | $11,475.00 | $15,185.00 | $32,100.00 | $45,100.00 |
| 1884 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,750.00 | $3,345.00 | $4,230.00 | $8,875.00 | $20,200.00 | $24,900.00 | $31,950.00 | $45,100.00 |
| 1885 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,310.00 | $3,365.00 | $4,313.00 | $9,490.00 | $15,520.00 | $20,550.00 | $30,700.00 | $52,000.00 |
| 1886 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,100.00 | $3,125.00 | $4,135.00 | $7,245.00 | $13,513.00 | $28,350.00 | $52,800.00 | -- |
| 1887 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,623.00 | $2,218.00 | $2,683.00 | $5,420.00 | $7,630.00 | $9,405.00 | $15,673.00 | $30,300.00 |
| 1888 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $1,375.00 | $1,570.00 | $2,005.00 | $2,573.00 | $4,950.00 | $7,133.00 | $8,600.00 | $14,145.00 | $23,950.00 |
| 1889 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,100.00 | $1,250.00 | $1,680.00 | $2,225.00 | $2,820.00 | $4,590.00 | $7,175.00 | $8,240.00 | $16,900.00 | $29,600.00 |
History of the Three Dollar Gold Coin
The three-dollar gold coin, also known as the Gold Indian Princess Coin, was first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1853 and officially issued in 1854. The coin was produced at several mints, including Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Dahlonega. The primary intended purpose for this denomination was to make it easier to purchase sheets of 100 three-cent postage stamps. It was also intended to simplify certain commercial transactions in the mid-19th century.
The obverse features a representation of Liberty wearing a Native American-style headdress with the word “United States of America” around it. The reverse displayed an agricultural wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco encircling the denomination “3 DOLLARS” and the year of issue. James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, designed the coin.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Total mintage across all years was relatively low, making many dates scarce today. Its unusual denomination, association with postage stamp purchases, and relatively short lifespan make it highly collectible. Collectors prize these coins for their unique denomination, limited minting, and artistic design.
- 1870-S (San Francisco) is considered unique on the market with one example available to collectors (engraved “893” on the reverse), with a second specimen believed sealed in the cornerstone of the Second San Francisco Mint. There may be more, but there are none confirmed.
- The 1875 proof-only issue is shown in official records to have only twenty proofs, yet more than 20 distinct coins are known, likely due to later emissions/restrikes from the same dies. For numismatists, it is considered one of the significant gold rarities of the 19th century.
- The 1876 proof-only issue is second only to the 1875 in demand among proof coins in this series because there are no business strikes for the date.
- The 1873 “Closed 3” had an ultra-low output of complex varieties. No official business-strike mintage was recorded, but specialist estimates are ~600–900 pieces. In terms of absolute rarity by date, many dealers rank it third after the 1875 and 1876 proof-only dates.
- The 1854-D (Dahlonega), also called “the southern key,” had only 1,120 struck and is the sole Dahlonega issue of the denomination. This issue is scarce, difficult to find in high grade, and well-known among specialists
Types of Collections
There are a variety of collections and collection types for this coin, but here are the core set structures.
- A Complete Date Set (1854–1889, P-Mint unless otherwise noted) is one coin from each year, ignoring mintmarks. This is particularly challenging if you include 1875 & 1876 (proof-only) or try for 1873 Close 3 in business strike. Many collectors do a “business-strike date set” and treat the proof-only years as optional placeholders.
- A Date-and-Mint Set represents every date from each mint that struck the denomination: Philadelphia (most years), plus single-year issues 1854-D and 1854-O, and several San Francisco dates. This set typically excludes the unique 1870-S.
- There are also short “collector” runs that focus on more available years to keep it realistic and visually cohesive:
- Late 1870s–1880s Philadelphia run (1878–1889)
- Pre-Civil War run (1854–1860)
- Civil War-era subset (1861–1865)
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
This coin is primarily an advanced-collector series, but there is a beginner-friendly option if you choose to treat it as a type coin or commit to a few common dates.
Advanced Collecting
Completing, or even nearly completing, the series demands deep numismatic knowledge, patience, and a significant budget. But, for the motivated beginner, a single type example or a small group of the more available dates is more appropriate.
Investment Potential
This coin is structurally scarce with low original mintages and modest survival, leading to a thin supply, especially in high grades, branch mints (1854-D/1854-O), and proof-only years (1875, 1876). Most buyers are specialists and advanced collectors, so demand can be narrow. Your liquidity will be uneven as common dates in mid grades always sell steadily, but true keys and top pieces may require patience.
Patient collectors with a keen eye and the willingness to invest over longer time frames with selective purchases tend to see good returns on the $3 gold coin value.