Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3859 = St XIII-64 = Sw. I-14, along with NGC 3857, 3864, 3867 and 3868, on 23 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 6721. Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 13 Apr 1885 and reported it in his first discovery list. His position was 10 sec of RA too far west and 2' too far south.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small. Located 3.4' SW of a bright star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Member of AGC 1367 with NGC 3857 4.7' NNW and CGCG 97-123 2.5' N. Located 3.4' SW of mag 8.1 SAO 99769.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb