The 1873-S Open 3 is easily the rarest of the two varieties of Double Eagle which were produced at the San Francisco Mint. In fact, this variety is the rarest Type Two San Francisco Double Eagle in terms of overall rarity.

The quality of strike is somewhat similar to that seen on the 1873-S Closed 3. On the Open 3 coins, the obverse almost always shows incomplete details on the hair of Liberty. In addition, the left stars are often weaker than those on the right. The reverse will show some weakness at the center but is sharper overall than the obverse. 

1873-S Open 3 Double Eagle: Surfaces, Luster, and Eye Appeal

The surfaces on nearly every known example of this date show extremely heavy abrasions and the few relatively abrasion-free pieces are highly prized by collectors. The luster on the typical 1873-S Open 3 Double Eagle is frosty with an underlying grainy texture. Coloration on original, uncleaned specimens is most often a rose-gold and orange hue with some specimens showing a greenish overtone. The level of eye appeal on most known 1873-S Open 3 Double Eagles is poor, primarily due to subpar strikes and extensive marks. An example which shows above-average eye appeal is very desirable and generally commands a strong premium among collectors. No significant die varieties are known.