$3 Gold Princess - PCGS MS62 (Random Year)

Buyback price:  $2,117.75
Bullion Standard Pro Buyback price:  $2,147.85

Product ID: BST-0006021752

Specifications

Random Year Status Random Year
Precious Metal Type Gold
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Mint Mark Various
Purity 0.9
Weight 0.1451 oz
Thickness (mm) 1.1 mm
Diameter (mm) 20.5 mm
Grade MS62
Grading Service PCGS

Product Details

Overview of $3 Gold Princess

The $3 Gold Princess is one of the most distinctive and historically significant coins produced by the United States Mint. Struck in 90% gold with a weight of 0.1451 troy ounces, this coin carries a face value of three dollars and represents one of the few odd denominations ever authorized by the United States government. The PCGS MS62 examples we carry reflect coins that have earned a certified mint state grade, meaning they retain their original luster with only minor blemishes or contact marks consistent with their age. Because we offer these as random year selections, the specific year will vary, though all examples fall within the original production run of this storied series.

History and Background

The $3 Gold Princess was authorized by Congress in 1853 and struck from 1854 through 1889. Its creation was tied directly to the new three-cent stamp introduced that same year, as the denomination was intended to make purchasing a sheet of 100 stamps more convenient. Despite the practical rationale behind the denomination, the coin never achieved widespread commercial circulation and was treated largely as a novelty by the public and merchants alike…

Overview of $3 Gold Princess

The $3 Gold Princess is one of the most distinctive and historically significant coins produced by the United States Mint. Struck in 90% gold with a weight of 0.1451 troy ounces, this coin carries a face value of three dollars and represents one of the few odd denominations ever authorized by the United States government. The PCGS MS62 examples we carry reflect coins that have earned a certified mint state grade, meaning they retain their original luster with only minor blemishes or contact marks consistent with their age. Because we offer these as random year selections, the specific year will vary, though all examples fall within the original production run of this storied series.

History and Background

The $3 Gold Princess was authorized by Congress in 1853 and struck from 1854 through 1889. Its creation was tied directly to the new three-cent stamp introduced that same year, as the denomination was intended to make purchasing a sheet of 100 stamps more convenient. Despite the practical rationale behind the denomination, the coin never achieved widespread commercial circulation and was treated largely as a novelty by the public and merchants alike. Production quantities were modest throughout the series, with annual mintages rarely exceeding a few thousand coins in the later years. The Philadelphia Mint handled most of the production, though branch mints in Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco each struck limited quantities during isolated years. This relatively short production window and consistently low mintage figures have made the series a focal point for collectors of 19th century United States gold coinage. The coin was discontinued in 1889 as part of a broader effort to streamline American coinage. Its brief but complete run of 36 years left behind a series with significant historical texture and genuine rarity, particularly in higher grades and across the branch mint issues.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse features a portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, a design element that has led collectors and enthusiasts to commonly refer to the series as the "Indian Princess" type, though the imagery is rooted more in a romanticized classical tradition than in any specific Native American iconography. The word LIBERTY appears across the headband, and the date is positioned at the bottom of the obverse. Stars surround the portrait, framing the composition symmetrically. The reverse carries a wreath of tobacco, wheat, corn, and cotton surrounding the denomination "3 DOLLARS," with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date arcing across the field. The design was executed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint during this period, whose work also appears on several other mid-century American coins. The overall composition is refined and compact given the coin's small physical size, with fine detail that rewards close examination on well-preserved examples.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At 0.1451 troy ounces of 90% gold, the $3 Gold Princess occupies a smaller footprint than most modern gold bullion coins, which makes it a practical option for buyers who want certified 19th century American gold without committing to the cost of a full-ounce piece. The compact size also makes individual pieces easier to store and handle within a broader numismatic collection. For buyers focused on certified U.S. gold, this format provides a meaningful way to add historical depth to a portfolio at a price point that reflects both the gold content and the numismatic premium associated with a low-mintage 19th century series. The smaller gold content means spot price movements have a proportionally lower impact on the total dollar value relative to heavier coins, which can be a relevant consideration when buying or selling.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Each coin in this listing has been independently graded and authenticated by PCGS, the Professional Coin Grading Service, which is one of the most widely respected third-party grading services in the numismatic industry. PCGS encapsulates certified coins in a tamper-evident holder that displays the grade, certification number, and coin details, providing a permanent and verifiable record of the coin's condition and authenticity. We are an authorized PCGS dealer, which means we source and sell PCGS-certified products within a framework that maintains the integrity of the grading standard. The MS62 designation confirms that these coins display full mint state surfaces with original luster, though minor contact marks or light abrasions may be visible under close inspection, which is consistent with the grade. The encapsulated holder protects the coin from further handling damage and facilitates straightforward resale or transfer within the numismatic market.

Condition and Packaging

An MS62 grade on a coin of this age and series carries meaningful context. Mint state examples of the $3 Gold Princess are considerably scarcer than their circulated counterparts, and a coin grading MS62 by PCGS standards retains full original luster across both sides with only minor disturbances to the surfaces. These are coins that were never placed into circulation, though their surfaces reflect the kind of light contact marks that frequently occur during the original minting and handling process. Because this product is a PCGS-certified coin, each piece ships securely in its original PCGS plastic slab. The tamper-evident encapsulation provides adequate protection for shipping and long-term storage without any need for additional holders or flips. Since year selection is random for this listing, the specific date you receive will vary, but every example will carry the same PCGS MS62 certification and the same protections that come with it.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for the $3 Gold Princess reflects both the intrinsic gold value and the numismatic premium associated with certified 19th century American coinage. The gold content of 0.1451 troy ounces at 90% purity provides a baseline tied to the current spot price of gold, but the numismatic premium above spot for this series is typically substantial and is driven primarily by rarity, collector demand, and the recognized significance of low-mintage United States gold types. PCGS certification adds a further premium by providing grade assurance and protecting the coin's resale integrity. Because individual years within the series carry very different mintage figures, the specific year you receive can influence secondary market pricing. Our pricing reflects current market conditions, and the bid/ask spread displayed on our product page provides transparency into both the acquisition cost and the expected resale value so buyers can evaluate the full cost of ownership before committing.

Selling and Liquidity

The $3 Gold Princess is a well-established rarity within the collector community, and PCGS-certified examples in mint state trade regularly through major auction houses, numismatic dealers, and online platforms. The combination of PCGS certification and a recognized series designation supports consistent liquidity relative to uncertified or lower-quality examples of the same coin. We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both buy and sell within the same platform. The competitive buyback pricing we maintain on certified U.S. gold reflects the ongoing collector demand for pieces like this, and we encourage buyers to consider the resale side of the equation before completing any purchase. Understanding the spread between what you pay and what you can reasonably expect to receive when you sell is central to how we approach transparency on every transaction.

Why Buy the $3 Gold Princess?

The $3 Gold Princess occupies a unique position in American numismatic history. It was struck for a specific and practical purpose, produced across several decades with consistently modest mintages, and discontinued before the modern era of mass coin production, all of which contribute to genuine scarcity. For collectors focused on 19th century United States gold, this series is considered an essential type coin, and PCGS-graded MS62 examples represent a meaningful step up from the circulated grades that make up the majority of surviving specimens. The coin's small size means it carries both a gold value component and a significant numismatic premium, and buyers who understand that relationship are typically those who appreciate what the $3 series represents within the broader context of American coinage. For buyers seeking a certified piece of U.S. monetary history with well-established collector demand, this coin delivers on that premise in a compact and professionally authenticated format.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have been operating in the precious metals market since 2010, and our approach has always been built around transparency rather than pressure. As an authorized PCGS dealer and a member of both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, we handle certified numismatic products with the same standards we apply to bullion, and our A Better Business Bureau rating reflects a consistent track record of doing right by our customers. Our two-way market model means we are not simply a sales operation. We actively maintain competitive buyback pricing so customers can sell back to us when the time comes, and the bid/ask spread we display on each product page reflects our commitment to giving buyers a complete and honest picture of the transaction. We believe that understanding the full economics of a purchase, not just the sticker price, is what separates a confident buyer from one making decisions on incomplete information.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members direct access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing, which is particularly relevant for a product like the $3 Gold Princess where premiums above spot can be substantial and subject to change based on collector demand and secondary market activity. Pro members can evaluate current premiums against historical data, track bid/ask spread behavior over time, and use our proprietary market intelligence tools to better understand how pricing has moved across this type of certified numismatic gold. Portfolio valuation through Pro uses live wholesale bid pricing rather than estimated retail values, giving members a realistic view of current liquidation value at any point in time. For buyers holding multiple certified U.S. gold coins, that level of precision makes a meaningful difference when assessing actual holdings rather than relying on approximations.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We offer a broad range of payment methods to make every transaction as straightforward as possible. Buyers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, or cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each method is processed within a secure transaction environment, and our fulfillment process is designed to ensure that certified coins like the $3 Gold Princess are packaged and shipped with the care their grade and value demand.

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