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1873 Open 3

Gold Coins · Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars · 1856–1889
Regular
Weight1.672 g
Diameter15 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 123,825 Combined mintage for all 1873 varieties
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Gold, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-5304

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About this coinHistory

The 1873 Open 3 gold dollar shares the year's total mintage of 123,825 coins with the Closed 3 variety, a dramatic increase from the 3,530 struck in 1872. The surge reflected the Coinage Act of February 12, 1873, which reorganized American coinage and discontinued several denominations. The gold dollar survived, and the increased production may have been driven by anticipation of the Act's broader monetary changes. The Open 3 uses a date punch where the knobs of the numeral 3 are widely spaced, leaving the digit visibly open.

The Open 3 is the more common of the two 1873 varieties. Circulated examples are readily available in all grades, and Uncirculated coins can be found with moderate searching. The coin represents a production spike in what had been a decade of minimal output, and its relative availability makes it one of the more accessible post-Civil War gold dollar dates.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $310 $355
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $310 $360
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $320 $370
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $420 $485
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $745 $790
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1873 Open 3 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar worth?
In Very Fine condition it runs about $310–$355, rising to roughly $420–$485 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1873 Open 3 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars were minted?
123,825 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1873 varieties).
What is a 1873 Open 3 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1873 Open 3 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1873 Open 3 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.