1878 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. The 1878 three dollar gold piece, boasting a mintage of 82,304 circulation strikes, is the most common date of the series. Numismatists attribute its high mintage, at least in part, to anticipation of the U.S. Treasurys intent to resume the redemption of legal tender notes in specie (gold) as of January 1, 1879. This well struck piece has satiny, bright yellow-gold color and just a tinge of green on each side. Several copper-colored toning spots are noted mostly on the obverse.
