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1861 - 1865 THREE DOLLAR GOD CIVIL WAR SET

The numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver and gold coins we have established certain sets of special interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.

We are specialists in this area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives. We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.

1861 Three Dollar Gold - 1862 Three Dollar Gold - 1863 Three Dollar Gold - 1864 Three Dollar Gold - 1865 Three Dollar Gold

Three Dollar Gold Civil War Set: The Three-Dollar gold coin was issued from 1854 to 1889. Prior to the Civil War, the coin was made at three branch mints, in Dahlonega and New Orleans in 1854 and in San Francisco in 1855 – 57 and 1860. With the exception of 1875 and 1876, they were made in Philadelphia continuously, including the five years of the Civil War.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin depicts Liberty as an “Indian Princess.” She faces left in profile wearing a stylized crown of feathers, the band of which is inscribed LIBERTY. Her wavy hair falls down the back and the side of her neck to her shoulders. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the effigy from under her chin to the end of her hair. The reverse shows the denomination written as numeral 3 and the word DOLLARS with the date in three lines. They are encircled by an open wreath of corn, cotton, tobacco, and wheat. A bow ties the ends of the wreath at the bottom.

Some numismatists feel that this odd denomination was created so that people could purchase a sheet of three-cent postage stamps or a group of 100 silver three-cent pieces. However, most people were indifferent to the entire series. Mintages vary but were highest in the first year of issue. During the Civil War they ranged from a high of 5,959 in 1861 to 1,140 in 1865. While not the lowest in the three-dollar gold series, certainly these are all low mintage coins.


1861 Three Dollar Gold1861 Three Dollar Gold - At the beginning of 1861South Carolina seceded from the Union. Six others, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas followed. Later Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina joined them. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America. Since the western counties of Virginia did not wish to secede, they were later admitted into the Union as the State of West Virginia in 1863. Lincoln issued an order declaring the slaves of the South to be free. In March Lincoln was inaugurated.

The CSA incorrectly assumed that European countries would intervene in the coming war because of the need for cotton for industry, but none did.

Mint State, well struck, lustrous pieces such as the pictured 1861 example are difficult to find. In its population report, NGC shows 25 in MS61 condition with 33 better.

Approximate cost: F $850; VF $1,100; AU50 $4,500; MS60 $8,250


1862 Three Dollar Gold1862 Three Dollar Gold - The British were further dissuaded from intervening with the Battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862, which ended Lee’s invasion of Maryland. The victory gave Lincoln the confidence to announce the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which further discouraged the British and French from plans to recognize the Confederacy. It is important to note that the Proclamation did not free all of the slaves. It did not apply to the five slave states that were not in rebellion, nor did it apply to most areas already controlled by the Union army. It was the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that made slavery illegal in all of the United States.

This near-Gem 1862 example is well detailed and fully lustrous. It has slivery-gold surfaces and virtually no marks in the fields. In its population report, NGC shows 5 in MS64 condition with only 3 better.

Approximate cost: F $850; VF $1,150; AU50 $3,850; MS60 $8,250


1863 Three Dollar Gold 1863 Three Dollar Gold - In 1863, Lee’s incursion north ended at the Battle of Gettysburg. It was the bloodiest battle of the war, and has been called the war’s turning point. When Vicksburg surrendered, it gave the Union control of the Mississippi River and isolated the western Confederacy.

The 1863 piece is also in Mint condition. The coin exhibits vivid mint luster and bright golden color. The devices are strongly struck and the fields are clean for the grade. In its population report, NGC shows 15 in MS62 with 24 better.

Approximate cost: F $850; VF $1,150; AU50 $4,500; MS60 $7,750


1864 Three Dollar Gold 1864 Three Dollar Gold - At the beginning of 1864, Lincoln made Grant commander of all Union armies. Grant put Sherman in charge of most of the western armies. Grant believed in the concept of total war, which included destroying the Confederate army and their economic base. Homes, farms, and railroads were destroyed as Sherman captured Atlanta and marched to the sea (the Atlantic Ocean).

This near-Gem 1864 three-dollar piece is exceptional. It is a semi-key because of its low mintage. It is lustrous and bold with yellow and orange-gold shimmering surfaces. It is tied for the second finest known at NGC with 3 others at MS64 and 2 better.

Approximate cost: F $850; VF $1,100; AU50 $4,250; MS60 $7,500


1865 Three Dollar Gold 1865 Three Dollar Gold - Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865 in the village of Appomattox Court House. As a sign of respect and a gesture towards reconciliation, he was permitted to keep his sword and horse. A few days later, on April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a Southern sympathizer, and Andrew Johnson became president.

The last year of the Civil War is represented in this group of coins by a Mint State 1865 piece, which is the key to the Civil War three-dollar set. The coin shows deep orange-gold color and a full strike with a minimum of surface abrasions. In its population report, NGC shows 10 in MS61 with 13 better.

Approximate cost: F $1,100; VF $1,650; AU50 $8,000; MS60 $16,500


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