1873 Closed 3; Open 3 Liberty Head Half Eagle

Intriguing History

All six gold denominations continued through the Coinage Act of 1873. Early 1873 dates used a Closed 3 whose knobs nearly touched. Chief Coiner A. Loudon Snowden complained it could be mistaken for an 8, so engravers under Chief Engraver William Barber cut an Open 3 partway through the year. Despite the mintage, the 1873 half eagle is rare in AU and Mint State.

Key Features

• •Closed 3: 49,280. Open 3: 63,200. Survivors: about 750 Closed 3 and 600 Open 3. Source: PCGS CoinFacts.