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The Closed 3 Variety from 1873 displays serifs on the 3 that are so close that it can appear to be an 8. It is the only issue from that year (Open 3’s do not exist in proofs). Commonly found in most grades and becoming scarce only as a gem. Slightly harder to find with cameo surfaces and deep cameos are nonexistent. Look for pastel rainbow toners.
Obverse Description
A shield flanked on the left and right by leaves topped with a cross with arrows positioned behind at the bottom so the arrow heads and shanks protrude at the sides. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears at the top periphery with the date positioned at the bottom center.
Reverse Description
A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: Although the mintage of the 1873 Shield nickel is generous, choice and gem Mint State coins are very elusive. When located, the problems of striking and eye appeal arise. In short, finding a nice example of either will be a challenge.
Although Closed 3 and Open 3 varieties exist for circulation strikes, with the Closed 3 being slightly more available, the collecting of both varieties is of limited popularity, except with specialists. Many opt simply to buy a Proof, all of which are of the Closed 3 style. (Opinions differ as to whether the correct term is Closed 3 or Close 3, but closed is the more common usage.)19
If you have difficulty differentiating Closed 3 from Open 3, particularly on wellworn coins, take heart from this comment by Howard Spindel:
It can be difficult to distinguish between Close 3 and Open 3 Shield nickels. Variations in how deeply the date logotype was entered by the die sinker into the die created coins than can puzzle collectors today. Shield nickel collectors joke that there are three logotypes for 1873: Close 3, Open 3, and “I Don’t Know 3.”20
Mintage and Distribution Notes: Sometimes in numismatics, what starts out as a theory or estimate soon translates into fact. Such is the case with popularly published mintage figures for the circulation strikes of the 1873 Closed 3 and Open 3 nickels. The late Harry X Boosel, who made coins (of all denominations) of 1873 a specialty, published the estimate that for the Closed 3 the figure was 436,050, and for the Open 3 it was nearly 10 times this amount, or 4,113,950. However, my own experience and the population reports published by the grading services contradict this.
What probably happened is that Boosel learned that on January 18, 1873, the chief coiner, A. Loudon Snowden, complained that the 3 in the date logotype looked like an 8 at quick glance. On January 18, 1873, A. Loudon Snowden, chief coiner at the Philadelphia Mint, wrote to James Pollock, director of the Mint, as follows:21
Dear Sir,
I desire in a formal manner to direct your attention to the “figures” used in dating dies for the present year.
They are so heavy, and the space between each so very small that upon the small gold and silver and upon the base coins, it is almost impossible to distinguish with the naked eye whether the last figure is an eight or a three. In our ordinary coinage many of the pieces are not brought fully up, and upon such it is impossible to distinguish what is the last figure of the year’s date.
I do not think it creditable to the institution that the coinage of the year should be issued bearing this defect in the date. I would recommend that an entire new set of figures, avoiding the defect of those now in use, be prepared at the earliest possible day.
I am Very Truly,
Your Obedient Servant
A. Loudon Snowden, Chief Coiner
Soon, across various denominations, new logotype punches (Open 3) were made, and new dies received this punch. Apparently, Boosel figured that while Shield nickels minted early in 1873 had the Closed 3 logotype, all later ones were struck from Open 3 dies. This is patently incorrect, as is evidenced by the fact that all Proofs are of the Closed 3 style, and that the Mint simply kept using the dies already on hand. Likely, for circulation strikes, Closed 3 dies already made were kept in service, until replaced with new dies.
The total circulation-strike mintage was 4,550,000. Circulation strikes of the 1873 Closed 3 are slightly more plentiful than those of the 1873 Open 3. Accordingly, my estimates—and they are simply that, estimates—are 2,550,000 of the 1873 Closed 3 and 2,000,000 of the 1873 Open 3.
CIRCULATION STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: Often, nickels of both date styles are lightly struck in areas, including the center of the obverse, the date, and certain stars on the reverse. The planchet stock was of mixed quality, and sometimes rough surfaces are seen. As noted above, the search for a high-quality coin of either variety will take some time.
PROOF STRIKES (CLOSED 3 ONLY):
Characteristics and Appearance: Most Proofs are well struck and very mirrorlike.
VARIETIES:
Open 3, Large Over Small Date—FS-1301, F-106. A significantly smaller date logotype was punched into the die, and then overpunched with an 1873 Open 3 logotype of the correct size. Discovered by Bill Fivaz in 1987, this variety is best identified by the small 3 visible under and to the left of the final 3. URS-3.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2913
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1873
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
5, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Closed 3
Coin Date:
1873
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,100
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3827
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Coin Value History
1873 5c Closed 3 PR
Value By Grade
1873 5c Closed 3 PR
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR67 |
|
$3,600 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $3,000 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $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 |
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1316_3020-2.20200624040933286.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $875 – $12,600
1866 5c Rays PR
Worth: $875 – $12,600
1867 5c Rays PR
Worth: $18,000 – $50,000
Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 PR [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/ha_com_1291_4375-0.20200718080538892.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $180 – $6,600
1867 5c No Rays PR
Worth: $180 – $1,800
1867 5c No Rays, Pattern Reverse, FS-1902 PR
Worth: $1,800 – $13,200
1868 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,500
1869 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,960
1870 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $1,080
1871 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $5,400
1872 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,600
1874 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,120
1875 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $6,000
1876 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $2,640
1877 5c PR
Worth: $1,250 – $7,500
1873 5C Closed 3 PR63 NGC. NGC Census: 55 in 63, 281 finer (10/25). CDN: $430 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR63. Mintage 1,100. ...
$552
1873 5C Closed 3 PR66 NGC. NGC Census: (37/7). Mintage 1,100. ...
$1,560
1873 5C Closed 3 PR64 NGC. Mintage 1,100. ...
$552
1873 5C Closed 3 PR65 NGC. Mintage 1,100. ...
$576
1873 5C Closed 3 PR67 PCGS. PCGS Population: (11/0). Mintage 1,100. ...
$2,640
1873 5C Closed 3 PR62 PCGS. PCGS Population: (19/466). NGC Census: (8/313). CDN: $280 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR62. Mintage...
$300
1873 5C Closed 3 -- Environmental Damage -- NCS. Proof. Mintage 1,100. ...
$192
1873 5c PCGS Proof 58 (Closed 3)
$190
1873 5C Closed 3 PR61 PCGS. PCGS Population (1/415). NGC Census: (1/302). Mintage: 1,100. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem...
$218
1873 5C Closed 3 PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (54/265). PCGS Population: (87/385). CDN: $355 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR63. Mintage...
$348
1873 5C Closed 3 PR66 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (36/6). NGC Census: (36/7). CDN: $725 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR66. Minta...
$900
1873 5C Closed 3 PR64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (220/166). NGC Census: (117/148). CDN: $430 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mint...
$427
1873 5C Closed 3 PR65 NGC. Mintage 1,100. ...
$468
1873 5C Closed 3 PR67 NGC. NGC Census: (7/0). PCGS Population: (6/0). CDN: $2,400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR67. Mintage 1,1...
$2,160
1873 5C Closed 3 PR62 PCGS. PCGS Population: (18/450). NGC Census: (7/308). PR62. Mintage 1,100. ...
$204
1873 5C Closed 3--Environmental Damaged--PR60 NCS. PR60 Details. NGC Census: (1/279). PCGS Population (2/386). Mintage: 1,1...
$218
1873 5C Closed 3 PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (52/258). PCGS Population: (85/385). CDN: $325 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR63. Mintage...
$360
1873 5C Closed 3 PR66 Cameo PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (36/6). NGC Census: (36/7). CDN: $725 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR66....
$1,140
1873 5C Closed 3 PR64 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (220/166). NGC Census: (117/148). CDN: $430 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64....
$528
1873 5C Closed 3 PR65 PCGS. Mintage 1,100. ...
$468
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