$3 Gold Certified MS63

The obverse showcases a left-facing Liberty, encircled by the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Liberty adorns an Indian headdress adorned with ostrich plumes. Within the headdress band, the word LIBERTY is inscribed. On the reverse, a wreath comprising wheat, cotton, corn, and tobacco takes center stage. Enclosed by the wreath are the date and denomination, with the mintmark positioned beneath it.
Frequently recognized as the Indian Princess Head, this coin features a portrayal of Liberty that isn't representative of an American Indian. Instead, it draws inspiration from the Greco-Roman sculpture Venus Accroupie, a piece admired by the designer and housed in a Philadelphia museum. The inclusion of the headdress aims to infuse a national character into the coin. Notably, this headdress had been utilized by engravers as early as 1562, establishing it as a universally recognizable emblem of America. The wreath serves a dual purpose by highlighting America's agricultural abundance and conveying a political message: during the divided era of 1854 when the nation was on the brink of the Civil War, the addition of cotton—a crop exclusive to the South—within the wreath imparted a unifying theme to the coin.
Minting of three-dollar pieces occurred in Philadelphia, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Demonstrating the limited demand for this coin, branch Mints only engaged in production for 5 out of the 35 years, and consistently in modest quantities.