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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Robert L. Rodriguez combines cutting-edge science, numismatic research, and detective work to uncover new evidence about one of the nation's most enigmatic artifacts.
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3 cent nickels were struck from 1865 through 1889 and designed by James B. Longacre. Despite a production range spanning a quarter century during a period in US coinage history when designs were typically modified in one way or another, the 3 cent nickel retained its same general design for the course of its time.
The 3 cent nickel series boasts a few significant varieties, including the 1873 Close 3, 1873 Open 3, and 18878 7/6 overdate. However, most issues in this series are standard and relatively common, especially in the lower grades among earlier dates.
Dealers and collectors will find some degree of challenge in obtaining most of the dates from 1877 through 1889, some of which are proof-only issues and others that are comparatively scarce. These include the 1877, 1878, and 1886 proof-only issues and all business-strike issues from 1882 through 1887. Also scarce are the 1879, 1880, 1888, and 1889 3 cent nickels. This leaves only the 1881 3 cent nickel, which is priced more on par with the more common pre-1877 issues.
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:
72350
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Date]
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
Variety:
1865-1889
Coin Date:
3-Cent Nickel
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3730
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/three-cent-nickel-tye-coin-business-strike/gsid/72350 GSID: 72350 Title: 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
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Coin Value History
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$17,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $14,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $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 |
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
1880 3cN MS
Worth: $50 – $2,300
1883 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-66 (NGC). OH Generation 4.0.
$732
1881 3CN AU58+ PCGS. CDN: $95 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$293
1882 3CN VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: 48 in 30, 269 finer (9/26). CDN: $195 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 22,200. ...
$281
1867 3CN MS65 PCGS. PCGS Population: 66 in 65 (2 in 65+), 24 finer (9/26). CDN: $480 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage...
$525
1865 3CN MS63 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.0 green label holder. CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 11,382,0...
$354
1865 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-64 (PCGS).
$293
1865 3CN MS62 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$183
1874 3CN MS61 PCGS. PCGS Population: 5 in 61, 239 finer (8/26). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS61. Mintage 789,300. ...
$189
1880 3CN MS67 PCGS. PCGS Population: 51 in 67 (7 in 67+), 0 finer (7/26). CDN: $2,050 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintag...
$2,440
1879 3CN XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: 24 in 45, 218 finer (7/26). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 38,000. ...
$165
1880 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 19 in 40, 365 finer (7/26). CDN: $166 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 21,000. ...
$207
1889 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: 28 in 50, 401 finer (7/26). CDN: $210 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 18,100. ...
$256
1889 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-55 (PCGS).
$268
1880 3CN Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 13 in 15, 460 finer (6/26). CDN: $135 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 21,...
$220
1879 3CN VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: 17 in 25, 323 finer (6/26). CDN: $104 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 38,000. ...
$183
1883 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. VF-20 (PCGS). CAC.
$732
1889 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 18 in 35, 533 finer (5/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 18,100. ...
$189
1889 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$268
1874 3CN MS60 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 789,300. ...
$195
GERMANY. Harz. "Baptismal" Taler, 1697-RB. Zellerfeld Mint. PCGS AU-58.
$976
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Events
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Tuesday, September 1, 2026
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