$3 Gold Piece, Indian Princess

The $3 Indian Princess Gold Piece is one of the most unusual and enigmatic coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Struck from 1854 to 1889, this odd denomination was authorized by the Act of February 21, 1853, and was intended to simplify purchases of postage stamps and other government-issued items that cost three dollars. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin features a unique blend of neoclassical elegance and Native American symbolism. Though never widely circulated, the $3 Gold Piece has become a standout rarity in U.S. numismatics due to its limited mintage, singular denomination, and refined design.

Key Features:

• Purity: The $3 Gold Piece is composed of 90% gold (21.6 karats) and 10% copper alloy, with a total gold content of 0.1451 troy ounces. The copper component adds strength and wear resistance to the relatively small and delicate coin.

• Design: The obverse features the “Indian Princess” head, a classical interpretation of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” The design is symbolic rather than ethnographic, embodying American ideals of liberty and unity. The reverse depicts a wreath of corn, cotton, wheat, and tobacco—agricultural staples of the period—surrounding the denomination “3 DOLLARS” and the date of issue. The design is finely detailed and regarded as one of Longacre’s most artistic creations.

• Denomination: With a face value of $3, the coin filled a very narrow commercial purpose, primarily tied to stamp purchases and odd-priced bulk transactions. However, the denomination was never widely adopted, and most Americans found it impractical for general use.

• Legal Tender: The $3 Gold Piece was officially issued as legal tender by the United States Mint and circulated in very limited quantities. Though no longer used in commerce, it retains its legal status and holds an important place in the history of U.S. gold coinage.

• Collectability: The Indian Princess $3 Gold Piece is a prized collectible due to its scarcity, distinctive denomination, and elegant design. Most issues had low mintages, and certain dates—like 1854-D, 1870-S, and 1875—are rare or unique. With only a handful of coins struck in any given year and limited use in circulation, most surviving specimens were preserved by collectors. The coin’s appeal lies in its novelty, its place in 19th-century monetary experimentation, and its visual artistry, making it a cornerstone of advanced U.S. gold collections.

Elegant, uncommon, and historically intriguing, the $3 Indian Princess Gold Piece offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s evolving coinage system and remains one of the most collectible classic gold coins ever struck.