The copper-nickel three-cent piece was introduced in 1865 as a hard-money substitute for the silver trime during the coin shortage that followed the Civil War. Designed by James B. Longacre, it shows Liberty wearing a coronet on the obverse and the Roman numeral III within a laurel wreath on the reverse.
Key facts
- Designed by: James B. Longacre
- Issue dates: 1865–1889
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Diameter: 17.9 mm
- Weight: 1.94 grams (29.94 grains)
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 31,332,527 (business strikes)
More than 11 million were struck the first year, after which mintages fell steadily; from 1877 on, output was tiny and several dates exist essentially only as Proofs. The hard alloy left many early coins weakly struck, especially on the vertical lines of the numeral III. Key issues include the Proof-only 1877, 1878, and 1886; the very low-mintage 1885; and the collectible 1887/6 overdate, one of the few U.S. overdates found in Proof.
We actively buy nickel three-cent pieces in every grade. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.