1861 $3.00 NGC MS62

Of the 5,959 business strikes produced, it is likely that most were melted and the 1861 is a popular Civil war issue that is scarce in all grades. The typical example is found in circulated grades and is characterized by heavy mint-made striations. The slightly prooflike example has the naked-eye appearance of a Choice Uncirculated and has just a few wispy hairlines on the obverse. Both sides show attractive light green-gold and rosy orange hues and there are no marks of note. In the last decade, fewer than ten examples have appeared at auction in MS62 and this date becomes rare and expensive in MS63 and above. This would be a great time to put together a nice set of Civil War three dollar gold pieces as the coins are available from time to time and seem reasonably priced compared to other denominations of this era.