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The 1881 mintage rockets up to over a million making it by far the highest mintage of the 1880's Three Cent Nickels. Very common up through MS65 at which point the coin becomes scarce as a high-gem. Only the finest of gems are very rare. A fantastic type coin for its series.
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:
2782
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1881
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:
1881
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,077,000
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3749
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1881 3cN MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1881-3cn-three-cent-nickel/gsid/2782 GSID: 2782 Title: 1881 3cN MS
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Coin Value History
1881 3cN MS
Value By Grade
1881 3cN MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$4,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $3,750 | $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
1881 3CN MS63 NGC. CDN: $180 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$214
1881 3CN MS65 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$451
1881 3CN MS64 PCGS. CDN: $245 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$305
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-58 (CACG).
$220
1881 3CN MS62 NGC. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$192
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-66 (NGC). CAC.
$870
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-55 (PCGS).
$96
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$144
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-61 (NGC).
$96
1881 3cN PCGS MS67
$4,100
1881 3CN -- Clamshell Lamination, Damage -- ANACS. Fine 15 Details. ...
$59
1881 3cN PCGS VF30
$28
1881 3cN PCGS XF45
$50
1881 3cN NGC AU53
$55
1881 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population (19/700). NGC Census: (8/515). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
$35
1881 3CN Nickel Three Cents Reverse Lamination VF20 NGC. ...
$48
1881 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (12/678). NGC Census: (8/507). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
$37
1881 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population (9/587). NGC Census: (3/447). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fre...
$69
1881 3CN --Scratched--MS60 ICG.MS60 Details. NGC Census: (2/361). PCGS Population (9/419). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Ws...
$64
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-63 (PCGS).
$220
Greysheet News
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
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
Mack C. Chase Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars to Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Showcase Auction
More than 300 lots, consisting of high quality Walking Liberty half dollars from the Mack C. Chase Collection are set to cross the auction block as part of Stack's Bowers Galleries' November Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Expo.
10/6/2026
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Saturday, August 1, 2026
