1864 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-6+. Proof-61 (PCGS). CAC. A lovely specimen that offers superior quality and eye appeal for the assigned grade. Bright golden-yellow surfaces exhibit a modestly cameo finish that is not mentioned on the PCGS holder. We note light friction to both sides, but there are no sizable marks. Fully struck and visually appealing.<p>The Philadelphia Mint struck 50 Proof three-dollar gold pieces in 1864. While a mintage of 50 coins is certainly low by any measure, it is remarkable that the Mint struck any Proof gold coins in 1864 for, with the Civil War approaching its climax, attention in the North was focused on more pressing matters than numismatics. Even so, some Proof sets were obviously distributed in 1864, as evidenced by the existence of Proof three-dollar and other gold coins of this date. Exactly how many specimens survive is debated, with most estimates ranging from 15 to 30 pieces. Interestingly, the cataloger of this coin for its offering in our (Stacks) May 1974 sale opined, "We seriously doubt if more than six specimens are extant" -- an interesting glimpse into the state of numismatic scholarship on the series at that time. Perhaps the most accurate modern estimate is attributed to John W. Dannreuther (2018), who states that 14 to 16 are known, a range that places the Proof 1864 on equal footing with the Proof 1862 and 1863 in terms of rarity. No matter how many specimens are extant, any offering for this elusive issue deserves attention and aggressive bidding from advanced Proof gold enthusiasts. From the Huberman Collection. Earlier ex our (Stacks) sale of May 1974, lot 414. Lot tag included.
