PCGS No: 7977

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 14,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Diameter: ±20.5 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%

Weight:  77.4 grains (5.02 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "S" (for San Francisco, CA) below the wreath on the reverse

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Significant examples:
PCGS MS-63 (illustrated above).  The Great Lakes collection of Three-Dollar gold pieces.  This is the finest known example by a full five points and the only Mint State example graded by PCGS!

Recent appearances:
NGC AU-58.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 689, illustrated, not sold.  It is worth noting that not a single specimen of the 1857-S $3 issue was found aboard the wreck of the S.S. Central America.  Indeed, only three examples of the denomination were recovered, all dated 1856-S.  

PCGS AU-55.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 272, illustrated, sold for $6,325.00  From RARCOA's 1970 ANA Sale, August 1970, Lot 1474

PCGS EF-45.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The California Sale", October 2-3, 2000, Lot 828 sold for $3,910.00

PCGS VF-25.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 97 sold for $718.75

Notes:
The finest example graded by PCGS is a single MS-63.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service