1864 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-64 Ultra Cameo (NGC).

1864 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. Proof-64 Ultra Cameo (NGC).，An enchanting specimen that offers bold field to device contrast, razor sharp striking detail, and vivid deep gold patina. A shallow planchet flaw (as made) in the right obverse field is mentioned solely as an identifying feature, the surfaces otherwise smooth in hand and solidly in the Choice category. This is an exceedingly rare issue in an absolute sense and, as one of the finest certified survivors, the present example would serve as a highlight in any numismatic cabinet.<p>The Philadelphia Mint struck 50 Proof three-dollar gold pieces in 1864, the highest yearly total for the type during the Civil War after only the 113-piece delivery achieved in 1861. While a mintage of 50 coins is certainly limited by any measure, it is remarkable that the Mint struck any Proof gold coins in 1864 for, with the War Between the States approaching its climax, attentions in the North were focused on more pressing matters than the pursuit of numismatics. Even so, some Proof sets were obviously distributed in 1864, as evidenced by the existence of Proof three-dollar and other gold coins of this date. We stress the word "some," however, for with so few coins extant many Proof 1864 threes remained unsold and, as such, were lost to future generations of collectors. Exactly how many specimens survive is a matter of conjecture with Q. David Bowers and Douglas Winter (2005) offering an estimate of 12 to 15 coins and the experts at <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em> opting for a range of 25 to 35 pieces. Due to the strong likelihood of multiple resubmissions within the certified population data that the latter source relies on for its estimates, we are inclined to lend more credence to the Bowers-Winter figures. In any event, the rarity of this issue is beyond contestation, an offering such as this deserving the utmost in attention and aggressiveness in bidding from advanced Proof gold enthusiasts.，From the Marc Kravit Collection.，