1870 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. AU-53 (PCGS).Richly patinated in a blend of deep orange and golden-rose, this handsome example also offers bold to sharp striking detail and appreciable remnants of a semi-reflective finish in the fields. The 1870 three-dollar gold piece is a challenging issue to locate in all grades; a small mintage of just 3,500 circulation strikes suffered a high rate of attrition. A find for the astute collector of classic U.S. Mint gold coinage.