1873 Op3 Indian Three-dollar Gold

HBCC#:

4027

Breen#:

6382

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This is a stunning example of the Open 3 variety, struck before the Closed 3 coins. In most denominations the Closed 3 variety was struck first, with complaints to the coiner that this date resembled 1878. Just 25 proofs were struck on February 18 with about 10 surviving today. A faint die crack from the left corner of F in OF identifies this as one of the so-called Originals, this die later being used for 1874 and 1875 Proof coinage.

Provenance:

From RARCOA's sale of the Harry X Boosel Collection, April 1972, Lot 672.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

(adapted): "Obverse: Die scratch from denticle above O(F) to (O)F. Reused for Proofs of 1874 and 1875. Very lightly hubbed; tops only of J.B.L. visible, portion of front of headdress missing (distinctive). No 'Ghosting'. Reverse: Open 3. Date very low, barely above ribbon loop; level relative to DOLLARS. All characters firmly punched and distinct. Left interior leaf opposite date is a thin, broken remnant with miniscule base at junction with wreath leaf below. Right interior leaf is thin. Lower one-third of left bow loop and center space filled. Right loop clear with but a stub of vertical ribbon element within, and none projecting into field from top of right loop."