Designer: James B. Longacre Diameter: 20.5 mm Edge: Reeded Weight: 5.015 grams Fineness: .900 Net gold weight: .1452 Mints: Dahlonega, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Numismatists have long debated the reasons for issuing $3 gold, with some speculating that it could have been useful in purchasing 3 cent stamps or the 3 cent silver pieces then in use. The denomination was never really popular or widely used, and for many years the mintage was quite low. A total of about 540,000 pieces were issued resulting in several scarce and rare dates in this now very collectible series.
