The 1870 is one of m favorite “sleeper” issues in the Three Dollar series. Only 3,500 were made as business strikes and when available, the typical 1870 grades AU50 or so. It is rare in Uncirculated and almost never seen above MS62. I have never seen or heard of a Gem and I doubt of more than three or four exist in MS64.

This is a really attractive example with rich orange-gold peripheral color atop highly lustrous surfaces. The strike is just a bit soft at the centers as is typical for the date but the details are mostly bold including the date. A few small marks near the chin narrowly preclude an MS64 grade but this coin has enough eye appeal to receive serious consideration as such.

The only other 1870 three dollar gold piece to be graded MS63+ was a PCGS coin which I sold privately in early 2013. Stack’s 11/08: 4285, graded MS63 by PCGS, realized $17,250.

There are many good values to be had in this series and this Condition Census 1870 ranks as one of the best single coins of this design that I have handled in the last year.

CAC has approved two in this grade (MS63) with none finer.