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The 1856-S $3 Gold Princess Head coin is a scarce and highly desirable issue from the short-lived Three Dollar Gold series, which ran from 1854 to 1889. This specific coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint, indicated by the “S” mintmark on the reverse beneath the wreath.
The obverse features the distinctive “Indian Princess” Liberty design created by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. Liberty wears a feathered headdress modeled after a Greco-Roman tiara rather than an authentic Native American headdress, surrounded by the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
The reverse shows the denomination “3 DOLLARS,” the date “1856,” and a wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco—representing staple crops of the American economy at the time. The "S" mintmark below the wreath confirms it was minted in San Francisco.
Specifications:
With only 34,500 coins minted at the San Francisco Mint that year, the 1856-S $3 gold piece is particularly difficult to find in high grades. These coins were typically used in commerce in the western U.S. and often circulated heavily, making well-preserved examples rare and sought after by collectors today.