The “Common” Rare Coin
February 13, 2010 – While each type of rare coin has its dates that are especially scarce, the Three Dollar gold piece has a number of years and mint marks that are unusual. Because of a unique minting, the 1875 Three Dollar gold piece could be considered the “common” rare coin.
This 1875-dated coin has long been recognized for its scarcity and was, in fact the first coin to bring $100,000 in a public sale back in 1972. For a number of years, it was believed that the entire mintage was only 20 coins, all of which were proof. Since then, it is know that there were actually more, as between 25 and 35 coins have been identified. This quantity means that the 1875 is not the rarest Three Dollar coin, but the fact that the coins which are available are proof makes them a very valuable commodity in deed.
The investor that is interested in owning one of these rare coins is going to have a difficult time getting one. The demand for these pieces has kept them from frequently making appearances on the open market, as reflected by prices that range from $175,000 to $250,000. Finding a coin like this generally requires the assistance of a rare coin exchange in order to have an extensive enough list of contacts to locate one.
Such pieces as the Three Dollar coin demonstrate the strength of the collector’s coin market. Certified gold coins such as these have become an important addition to many investors’ portfolios; certified coins provide a long-term investment option that has been very successful, as evidenced by the CU 3000 Index. This rare coin index allows investors to see appreciation in old coins, showing a seventyfold increase in the past forty years, as investors look to purchase unique pieces like the Three Dollar gold coin.
Shawn Penny
Senior Staff Writer - Rare-Coin.org
