1858 Silver Three-Cent Piece. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. This delightful Superb Gem is boldly struck with full definition, complete borders to the central shield on the obverse, and with both outlines to the star fully separated. The central devices of the reverse are similarly sharp. Minor peripheral softness is noted in the legends and reverse stars, but all major features are complete. Struck from heavily clashed dies, with artifacts clearly visible on both sides under the richly toned surfaces. Lovely gold, blue, rose and green iridescence blends with lovely mint frost.As silver coins flowed back into circulation in the early to mid 1850s, the demand for the three-cent silver denomination gradually waned and soon the little "fish scales" became less popular with the public. By 1858, only 1,603,700 pieces were struck at the Mint, a little more than 10% of the total struck just five years earlier. In 1854, the design was modified by including two extra lines bordering the star on the obverse as a distinguishing mark, creating the Type II design. Unfortunately, the extra lines caused even more production difficulties in a denomination already plagued with uneven and often weak strikes, and additional refinements were needed. 1858 was the final year of the Type II design with the Type III design making its debut the following year. The Type II is the shortest-lived of the three basic types and also one of the most challenging to locate exceptionally well struck. Because the 1858 issue has the largest mintage of the Type II dates, it is particularly well suited for type collectors. Marginally available in the Choice Mint State grades, the issue is especially challenging at Gem and above. A Superb Gem, as here, is a prize for even the most demanding of connoisseurs. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection. Earlier, from Heritages FUN Signature Sale of January 2004, lot 2019; our (Stacks and American Numismatic Rarities) Medio and Da Costa Gomez Collections sale, June 2004, lot 2519; Heritages Palm Beach, FL Signature Sale of November 2004, lot 5704.
