Whitman Expo
The United States Mint has selected 37 American artists to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) to create and submit new designs for coins and medals.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
The mintage rises a bit for the Three Cent Nickels in 1887, from the two previous rarities, with just 5,000 coins struck. Very common up through MS63 at which point the coin becomes scarce in MS64 and MS65. Only the finest of gems are very rare.
Obverse Description
A Romanesque Liberty is portrayed facing left with LIBERTY emblazoned on her crown. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears on the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The roman numeral III is centered in the design surrounded by a large wreath tied with a bow at the bottom. This design is one of few American coins without wording on one of the sides.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2787
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1887
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
III
Weight (gr):
1.94 gr
Weight (oz):
0.0624 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
17.9
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1887
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
5,001
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3755
Send Catalog Feedback
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1887 3cN MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1887-3cn-three-cent-nickel/gsid/2787 GSID: 2787 Title: 1887 3cN MS
Subscribe to View
Log In
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1887 3cN MS
Value By Grade
1887 3cN MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$18,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $15,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
![3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1880_3cn.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $9 – $14,400
1865 3cN MS
Worth: $11 – $12,000
1866 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $8,400
1867 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $5,000
1868 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $7,800
1869 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $7,200
1870 3cN MS
Worth: $11 – $8,000
1871 3cN MS
Worth: $11 – $6,600
1872 3cN MS
Worth: $11 – $7,800
1873 3cN Closed 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $6,200
1873 3CN Open 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $3,600
1874 3cN MS
Worth: $11 – $9,000
1875 3cN MS
Worth: $12 – $7,800
1876 3cN MS
Worth: $18 – $2,400
1879 3cN MS
Worth: $35 – $3,000
1887 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 36 in 40, 228 finer (6/26). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 5,000. ...
$561
1887 3CN VF35 ANACS. Mintage 5,000. ...
$488
1887 3CN AU53 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 10 in 53, 165 finer. CAC: 2 in 53, 39 finer (2/26). CDN: $590 Whsle. Bid for NGC...
$976
1887 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC. OGH Rattler.
$1,560
1887 3CN VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: 27 in 30, 280 finer (12/25). CDN: $450 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 5,000. ...
$528
1887 3CN MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (29/26). Mintage 5,000. ...
$1,081
1887 3CN MS65 PCGS. PCGS Population: (41/24). Mintage 5,000. ...
$1,320
1887 3CN MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (2/63). PCGS Population: (11/118). CDN: $730 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 5,000. ...
$750
1887 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (18/167). NGC Census: (4/93). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 5,000. ...
$690
1887 3CN MS66 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (22/2). NGC Census: (4/0). CDN: $1,800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 5,00...
$2,520
1887 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-58 (NGC).
$840
1887 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. VF-25 (PCGS).
$504
1887 3cN PCGS XF45
$710
1887 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. EF Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$504
1887 3CN AU55 ANACS. CDN: $600 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 5,000. From The Poulos Family Colle...
$480
1887 3CN VG8 NGC. NGC Census: (1/119). PCGS Population: (0/248). CDN: $275 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS VG8 . Minta...
$336
1887 3CN --Bent--ANACS. Fine 12 Details. NGC Census: (2/89). PCGS Population (0/99). Mintage: 5,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price: ...
$218
1887 3CN--Scratched--ANACS. VF Details, Net Fine 15....
$217
1887 3CN MS67 PCGS....
$13,369
1887 3CN --Corroded, Cleaned--ANACS. XF Details, Net VF20. ...
$259
Greysheet News
U.S. Mint Chooses Artist Corps
10/8/2026
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
Results Set Record for the Firm's Highest Grossing Auction Sale in its 90+ Year History.
10/7/2026
The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
10/6/2026
Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
