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***Auction Highlight*** 1856-s Small 's' Three Dollar Gold 3 Graded au58 By SEGS (fc)

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
***Auction Highlight*** 1856-s Small 's' Three Dollar Gold 3 Graded au58 By SEGS (fc)
DEMO LOT
***Auction Highlight*** 1856-s Small 's' Three Dollar Gold 3 Graded au58 By SEGS. Up for Auction is the very scarce Small s Variety of the 1856-s $3 Princess Head Gold, an issue rare in all regards. The mintmarks on the 1856-S Three-Dollar gold pieces come in three different sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. According to Q. David Bowers and Doug Winter, 80% are of the Medium Mintmark variety, 2-3% are of the Large Mintmark variety, and approximately 15% are of the Small Mintmark variety. Ample satin luster combines with overall sharp definition to define this as a conditionally rare 1856-S three. Perhaps surprisingly for an issue that is so elusive in the finer circulated and Mint State grades, the mintage of 34,500 pieces is actually the fifth highest for circulation strikes of this denomination. Attrition through circulation was high, as one should expect for an early San Francisco Mint gold issue, and the vast majority of the 500 or so coins believed extant are well worn, if not also impaired. At the threshold of Mint State preservation, this attractive Choice AU is sure to catch the eye of astute gold specialists. With only 20 examples surviving in Mint State this Near Mist State example is Tied for 21st Finest. I have included 2 other au58s for your comparison.