1873 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-7-. Open 3. Original. Proof-63 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. Here is a gorgeous premium Cameo representative of this famous Proof-only rarity in the three-dollar gold series. Deep medium gold color is enhanced by intermingled orange-apricot on the obverse. The design elements are fully rendered and exhibit a soft satin texture that contrasts appreciably with semi-reflective fields. A touch of haziness and a few faint hairlines to the obverse preclude a higher grade, but the eye appeal is exceptional, and the quality is impressive for an issue that is seldom offered at any level of preservation.<p>As related above in our description for the 1873 Dished Close 3 specimen, JD-1, JD-2, and JD-3 are all original Proof strikings of the 1873 three-dollar gold issue. The combined mintage for all three die pairings is just 25 coins. The variety now attributed as JD-1, and represented here, was struck after JD-2 and JD-3, and its obverse die was later used to strike all known Proof 1874 and 1875 three-dollar gold pieces. A later state of this obverse is also known on some Proof 1873 Open 3 three-dollar gold coins, which were obviously produced after the Proof 1874 and 1875 coins and, thus, are restrikes. Dannreuther attributes this restrike variety of the Proof 1873 Open 3 as JD-4.<p>No circulation strike 1873 Open 3 three-dollar coins are known, so the issue is a Proof-only one. Circulation strikes are known for the 1873 Close 3, however, although that enigmatic issue is not mentioned in the Mint Directors report. An example of the circulation strike 1873 Close 3 is offered in the following lot.<p>The coin offered here is a JD-1 original striking of the Proof 1873 Open 3, attributable by (among other features) faint die lines under Libertys chin, from the denticles above the letter O in OF to the upper left corner of the F, and from the right foot of the same letter F slanting down to the left. These die lines, which are also present on the Proofs of 1874 and 1875, were removed by die lapping before production of the restrike Proof JD-4 coins.<p>JD-1 is the most frequently encountered variety of the Proof 1873 three-dollar gold issue, and it likely accounted for the majority of the 25 original Proofs struck that year. Of course, all Proofs of this date are exceedingly rare in an absolute sense, JD-1 with an extant population of fewer than 15 coins in our opinion. The present coin, a leading highlight of the Huberman Collection, is sure to find its way into another advanced gold cabinet. From the Huberman Collection. Earlier ex David Lawrences sale of the Richmond Collection, Part I, July 2004, lot 1286.
