1867 $3 (1867 Three Dollar Gold) PCGS AU50 CAC. This 1867 Three Dollar Gold piece with its rose-pink highlights could have graded an AU53 or more. Its CAC sticker confirms the grade and indicates that the coin is a premium quality piece and meets stringent standards within the grade. Original mint luster remains in protected areas of both sides. The strike is above average with a strong LIBERTY on the obverse and full central date numerals on the reverse.

James Longacre designed the Three Dollar Gold coin using the Indian Princess for his main device. He had to create a motif that would be distinctly different from the quarter and half eagle coronet designs. The design, similar to his Gold Dollar Large Head, shows a head of Liberty facing left in profile wearing a stylized headdress. Inscribed on the headband is LIBERTY. She is surrounded by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. In using the Indian Princess design, Longacre felt that he was creating something that was uniquely American rather than an adoption from the classics. The reverse shows an open wreath of corn, cotton, wheat, and tobacco tied at the bottom with a bow. The denomination 3 appears at the top center of the wreath, with DOLLARS and the date below within the wreath. Longacre liked the wreath design so much that he adopted it for use on the small cent of 1856.

In 1851 a law was passed that authorized a three cent piece and also made the postage rate three cents. Two years later a new law was passed authorizing a light weight silver three cent coin and a Three Dollar Gold coin. Evidently lawmakers believed that the gold coin would be useful to buy rolls of three cent coins and sheets of stamps. Its closeness to the quarter eagle, which was widely used, made the denomination somewhat illogical, and the public proved indifferent to them.

In 1854 the first and largest mintage was produced. Many were saved as souvenirs. Others briefly circulated and ended up being used for jewelry. Only 1854 had smaller letters in DOLLARS. The other dates all have large letters for the denomination. Mintages were limited after 1854. The 1867, for example, had a mintage of 4,850. In its population report, PCGS shows 15 certified in AU50 with 31 better. CAC as of 1-17-12 shows only this specimen approved in AU-50 with 6 higher.