University of Idaho
$3 1889

Owner Comments:

Only 2,300 circulation strikes were produced in this final year of this curious denomination. And of that already low number many were never released, leaving an unknown number actually distributed in December 1889. This coin lacks the often-seen semiprooflikeness of many dates in the series; instead the finish is frosted with coruscating mint luster that is more akin to that seen on 1878 threes. The mint luster has taken on a lovely reddish tinge with faint traces of lilac also present. The strike is unusually sharp with strong definition over each side. Problem-free throughout.