A total of 14,000 Three Dollar gold pieces were made in 1857 at the San Francisco mint. This issue is usually seen well worn and examples which grades AU55 are rare. I have only handled one Uncirculated 1857-S Three in my numismatic career and the finest known is likely the PCGS MS62 which sold for $57,500 in the Heritage 2007 ANA auction.

This light yellow-gold example shows very little actual wear and is well detailed for the issue. There is some minor friction on the face and the curls while the reverse is virtually Uncirculated. The surfaces are very clean and lack the marks seen on most of the specimens in AU55 holders. The eye appeal is better than average for the date and I find the 1857-S to be one of the hardest SF Threes to find with good eye appeal.

During the “glory days” of this series (2005-2007), AU55 examples routinely brought $7,500-10,000 at auction and few would be CAC-quality by today’s standards. A good value play for the contrarian and a great piece for the serious collector of this misunderstood series.

CAC has approved three in this grade with three finer.