1873 GOLD DOLLAR

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 125,100
Proofs: 25

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Diameter: ±14.3 millimeters

Metal content:
 Gold - 90%
Silver and Copper - 10%

Weight: ±25.8 grains (±1.7 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below the wreath on the reverse

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries

Varieties:
Closed 3 - Proofs and circulation strikes
Open 3 - Circulation strikes only

Notes:
1873 Gold Dollars were struck according to the following schedule:

Proofs
February 18 - 25 Proofs (all Closed 3)

Circulation strikes
November 11 - 22,000
November 13 - 18,900
November 22 - 20,000
November 24 - 28,800
November 28 - 17,600
December   9 - 16,000

Closed 3 Proofs have a weak, polished-out first feather in the headdress and their surface qualities are sometimes different from the normal Proofs of the period (slightly duller and less brilliant).  Check your coins carefully, as no circulation strikes are known with the polished-out feather.  Proofs are sometimes mis-catalogued (and even mis-certified) as Mint State! 

The finest Uncirculated "Open 3" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-68.

The finest Uncirculated "Closed 3" examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-66's (The October 2001 PCGS "Population Report" listed the finest examples graded as 3 MS-66's).

The finest Proof "Closed 3" example graded by PCGS is a single PR-66.

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-66 (illustrated above).  Ex - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 14-16, 2003, Lot 2856, "Closed 3"

NGC MS-64.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 2117, "Open 3", unsold

MS-64.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 84, "Open 3", illustrated, sold for $575.00  From RARCOA's sale of February 1972, Lot 721

NGC MS-63.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 2118, "Open 3", unsold

NGC MS-63.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 2119, unsold

PCGS MS-63.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 3926, "Open 3", illustrated, sold for $506.00

MS-63.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 80, "Close 3", illustrated, sold for $2,185.00  From Paramount's Davies-Niewoehner Sale, February 1975, Lot 473

MS-63.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 85, "Open 3", not illustrated, not sold  From Lester Merkin's sale of February 1972, Lot 339

PCGS MS-62 Prooflike.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 81, "Close 3", illustrated, sold for $6,900.00 From RARCOA's sale of the Harry X Boosel Collection, April 1972, Lot 670

Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 1432, "Closed 3", sold for $1,610.00

Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 1433, "Open 3", sold for $373.75

AU-58.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5659, "Open 3", not illustrated, sold for $138.00

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 7146, "Open 3", not illustrated, sold for $241.50

Choice About Uncirculated.  Ex - Stack's "The University of Notre Dame Sale", March 20-21, 2001, Lot 983, not plated, sold for $172.50

About Uncirculated.  Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 1434, "Open 3", sold for $172.50

Net EF-45.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 82, "Closed 3", not illustrated, sold for $862.50  Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, August 28, 1978

EF-45.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 83, "Closed 3", not illustrated, sold for $891.25  Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, April 9, 1971

EF-40, Cleaned.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5660, "Closed 3", not illustrated, sold for $546.25

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, April 2004" by The Professional Coin Grading Service