1864 Three Dollar Gold NGC XF45. The 1864 three dollar had a mintage of 2,680 circulation strikes, and is one of the rarer three dollar gold pieces of its era (David Bowers, 2005). NGC and PCGS have certified somewhat more than 200 examples in all grades. This example is well struck and above average for the grade. Excellent Civil War dated US gold coin.

1864 $3 NGC XF45. With a reported mintage of 2,680 coins for circulation the three dollar gold piece minted at the Philadelphia Mint in 1864 is a scarce issue. Circulation was virtually non-existent during the Civil War and afterwards, but somehow this piece spent some time in circulation. Perhaps it was carried by a former soldier as a memorandum, or maybe it spent some period in the western states were these pieces were still seen in circulation up in the late 1860s. Whatever the reason was, it makes this piece an attractive and affordable example of this scarce and historic Civil War gold coin.

Moderately circulated on the highest points a fair amount of detail is still displayed on both sides, which show a light yellow color near the edges and a somewhat darker yellow near the centers. No major marks are noted on either side, and both the devices as well as the fields are clear. Some luster is still visible in the protected areas of the design, which appears to have been remarkably well struck. A great and affordable piece of this popular type of American gold coinage!