1878 $3 Indian Princess Three Dollar NGC MS65

This is a coin with superb eye appeal. Just look at the photos of this beauty with the stunning Indian Princess design. Collectors have loved the Indian Princess gold coins for well over 100 years. Enthusiasts of this series know that the issues generally chosen for type sets are either the 1854, which has the largest mintage, at 138,618 business strikes, the 1874, with a moderate production of 41,800 coins, and the 1878, which had 82,304 pieces struck. NGC has graded 143 as MS65 with 72 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $13,750.00 in MS65.

James B. Longacre, who crafted the beautiful Indian Princess design for gold coinage. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Ron Guth writes on PCGS Coinfacts, “The 1878 is known for its frosty luster which, on high grade pieces, has a shimmering effect that is simply lovely. The strike is usually good, but sometimes weak on the knot at the base of the wreath.” There are many 1878 $3 Indian Princess coins for numismatists to collect. Why is that so? Of this issue, Heritage Auctions writes, “Struck in large quantity in anticipation of paper bill redemptions that never occurred, many 1878 three dollar pieces remained undisturbed at the Philadelphia Mint. Several high-grade examples escaped melting, and few pieces circulated.”