The 1855-S is numismatically significant as the very first three dollar gold piece made at the San Francisco mint. Of the 6,600 struck there are around 350 known but most saw active circulation and are well worn. This is a very scarce coin in properly graded AU53 to AU55 and a major rarity in Uncirculated.

This pleasing medium to deep russet example shows good detail and has a pleasing natural skin which is not often seen on this issue. Some weakness of strike on the curl outside of Liberty’s ear is diagnostic to the issue; the reverse is sharp and bold. There are a few small marks in the fields but the quality of the surfaces is far above average for the issue.

The last PCGS AU53 example to sell at auction was Heritage 8/13: 5023 which brought $6,169. A nicer example brought a strong $13,225 in Heritage’s 6/08 sale.

In the medium AU grades, this is an undervalued and underappreciated coin.