$3 Gold Indian Princess Coins (1854-1889)

About The $3 Gold Indian Princess

The $3 Gold Indian Princess Coins were issued by the United States Mint between 1854 and 1889. They were designed by James B. Longacre, who also created the Indian Head cent and the two-cent piece.

The coin's obverse features the portrait of an Indian Princess, believed to be modeled after Longacre's daughter Sarah, wearing a feathered headdress. The reverse features the Roman numeral III encircled by a wreath and the words "United States of America" and "Three Dollars."

These coins were made of 90% gold and 10% copper, weighing 5.015 grams, and had a diameter of 20.5 millimeters. They were minted at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco mints.
The $3 Gold Indian Princess Coins were produced in relatively small numbers; today, they are considered rare and valuable. These coins are rare partly because they were not widely used in circulation and were considered too small for practical use in commerce.

Today, collectors and investors seek these coins for their historical significance, rarity, and beauty. The value of a $3 Gold Indian Princess Coin depends on factors such as its condition, rarity, and historical significance. After you find the right Gold Indian Princess coins for your collection, consider other American Gold coins, or browse some other popular gold coins from various mints around the globe.

About The Design

The coin's obverse features the bust of a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed above her head. The princess faces left, her hair tied back and her feathered headdress flowing behind her. Her neck is adorned with a beaded necklace, and her dress is decorated with a star and a miniature sunflower.

The reverse of the coin features the Roman numeral "III" inside a wreath of laurel leaves, with the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "THREE DOLLARS" encircling the wreath. The design is surrounded by the rays of the sun, which emanate from the center of the coin.

The Indian Princess design was a departure from the traditional Liberty Head design used on earlier gold coins. It was intended to reflect the growing interest in Native American culture and art in the mid-19th century. The artwork was also notable for its use of intricate details, which required careful engraving and casting to produce.

History Of The $3 Gold Indian Princess

The coins were first introduced in 1854 when the United States was experiencing a gold rush in California. The coins were intended to serve as a convenient denomination for small transactions and were produced in relatively small numbers. However, they never gained widespread use in circulation and were mainly used for special purposes, such as gifts or souvenirs.

Over the years, the coin's design underwent several modifications, including changes to the portrait's size and the date's placement. In 1870, the San Francisco mint began producing $3 Gold Indian Princess Coins, and by 1874, all three mints (Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco) were making the coins.

Despite their relative scarcity, the $3 Gold Indian Princess Coins remained in production until 1889, when they were discontinued due to a lack of demand. Many of the coins were melted down, and today, only a limited number survive, making them highly sought after by collectors and investors.

In recent years, the $3 Gold Indian Princess Coins have become increasingly popular among collectors, and their rarity and historical significance have made them highly valuable. Some of the most sought-after examples include coins with high levels of detail and luster and coins with low mintage numbers or other historical significance.