The 1873 Closed 3 Coinage

Manifest_Destiny

1873 is one of the most interesting years for coinage, for many reasons, one of which is the closed 3 vs open 3 varieties. The original dies for the coinage that year was criticized for the closed 3 which looked too much like an 8, and the date logotype was soon changed so that the 3 was more open. All denominations come with both types except the 3c silver, half dime, and seated dollar, which were discontinued in 1873, and the trade dollar which began production in 1873.

In my collecting area, seated quarters, the closed 3 is one of the rarest varieties and one of my favorites. Here's my XF40.

RichieURich

Great coin, congrats!

2windy2fish

1873 would make for a very interesting and extremely expensive one year type set!

JBN

For halves, the open three is tougher.

Stuart

My 1873-P and S (Closed & Open 3) $20 Liberty Gold Pieces

The 1873-S (Closed 3) is Semi-Prooflike

CaptHenway

@Manifest_Destiny said:
1873 is one of the most interesting years for coinage, for many reasons, one of which is the closed 3 vs open 3 varieties. The original dies for the coinage that year was criticized for the closed 3 which looked too much like an 8, and the date logotype was soon changed so that the 3 was more open. All denominations come with both types except the 3c silver, half dime, and seated dollar, which were discontinued in 1873, and the trade dollar which began production in 1873.

In my collecting area, seated quarters, the closed 3 is one of the rarest varieties and one of my favorites. Here's my XF40.

I knew Harry X Boosel well. I helped explain to him two of the double dies for that year.

LJenkins11

Closed 3

Open 3

oldabeintx

A great topic with awesome examples. I'm just finishing up a proof type set related to the Coinage Act of 1873, AKA the "Crime of 1873". In this case only the types affected by the Act, which were many.

may

Another great post and an even better coin @Manifest_Destiny.

I’ve always liked your collecting style, nice higher end circulated coins. I ought to try it someday.

calgolddiver

My closed 3 3CN PR66 with a mintage of 1100 and only 7 graded higher

Manifest_Destiny

Here's the pop report to illustrate how rare the closed 3 quarter is.

(60) 1871-cc
(63) 1872-s
(64) 1873-cc arr
(69) 1873 closed 3
(80) 1870-cc
(81) 1871-s
(82) 1866
(93) 1872-cc
(93) 1867-s
(98) 1878-s

The_Dinosaur_Man

There is a lot to be said about this year. I like thinking that all the discontinued denominations were made in the style of the Closed 3 and anything of those types with an Open 3 were restrikes.

erwindoc

Neat thread! Im still looking for a wholesome VG-VF Shield nickel version for my album. My dansco has a hole for the 1873 large over small 3 too. The redbook does not have much to say about it though.

rec78

Harry X Boosel - Mr. 1873 https://numismaticnews.net/collecting-101/harry-x-boosel-honored-by-chicago-coin-club
It would take a long time just to buy all the date and mintmarks for1873 US coins cents to $20 gold coins.

winesteven

Here are my two 1873 Indians:

My 1873 Closed 3 MS65+RB has a PCGS Pop of only 5, with 6 finer in this color at 66RB. Of the 63 graded by PCGS at 65RB or 65+RB, as noted only five have the plus grade. Rick Snow says that in his opinion this coin is 99% Red.

My 1873 Open 3 MS66RB is tied for the Top Pop in RB, none finer at PCGS or NGC. PCGS Pop = 11. Snow PDS Score = 15 (5,5,5), the highest possible.

rhedden

Closed 3 business strike 25c

Open 3 business strike 25c

Closed 3 proof 25c

1madman

Here’s an available $20:

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1525530/1873-Liberty-Gold-Double-Eagle-Closed-3-NGC-AU-53

Manifest_Destiny

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
There is a lot to be said about this year. I like thinking that all the discontinued denominations were made in the style of the Closed 3 and anything of those types with an Open 3 were restrikes.

Looking at it a little further, the two cent pieces, which were discontinued in 1873 and are proof only, come with both open and closed 3's. I don't see where PCGS says the open 3 is a restrike but I have heard that before. Maybe someone who specializes can clear that up.

Here are the other coins.

3c - proof only, closed 3

Half dime - issued for circulation and appears to be an open 3

Seated dollar - issued for circulation, closed 3

Trade dollar - open 3

Something else I found that I didn't know - The gold eagle only come with a closed 3. And, it's a super rarity in the series.

Copperindian

There are 3 closed 3’s in the IHC series:

The S-1 (better known as the Double Liberty):

The S-2:

And - with the closed 3 designation:

PerryHall

@1madman said:
Here’s an available $20:

https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1525530/1873-Liberty-Gold-Double-Eagle-Closed-3-NGC-AU-53

That sure looks like an open 3. PCGS Coin Facts has some good side by side pics of the closed 3 and the open 3.