POPULAR CIVIL WAR ISSUE 1862 THREE DOLLARS

Only 5,750 pieces were struck and the 1862 closely rivals the 1864 as the second scarcest Civil War Three Dollar gold piece after the 1865. It is scarce in the higher AU range and most pieces in 55 and 58 holders are not original.

This fresh-to-the-market example is characterized by attractive deep natural green-gold and rose color which is “right” for this issue but which is seldom seen. There is a good degree of underlying mint luster on both sides and the detail is excellent. A small scrape in front of the portrait is faint and does not detract from this piece’s nice overall appearance.

Only one PCGS AU55 1862 three dollar has been sold at auction since the start of 2013 and it was not approved by CAC; it sold for $4,554 as Heritage 2014 ANA: 3824. I have sold only one CAC approved AU55 in the last three years (an NGC coin) and it was bought by a wholesale dealer for $5,250.

This piece is appealing to both three dollar collectors and Civil War specialists and it represents the best available quality for the grade.

CAC has approved four in this grade with 15 finer.