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The Open 3 Variety from 1873 displays spaced out serifs on the 3 and is far more common than its Closed 3 counterpart. Very common through MS64 with gems becoming quite scarce. MS65 remaining affordable and MS66 surging a bit in value. Both are not very difficult to locate.
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:
2876
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:
Business
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Open 3
Coin Date:
1873
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
4,113,950
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3800
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Coin Value History
1873 5c Open 3 MS
Value By Grade
1873 5c Open 3 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$4,050 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $3,450 | $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 |
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/raysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866 5c Rays MS
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866/1866 5c Rays, Repunched Date MS
Worth: $150 – $14,400
1867 5c Rays MS
Worth: $17 – $36,000
Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/noRaysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $13 – $2,592
1867 5c No Rays MS
Worth: $13 – $10,800
1868 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $9,600
1869 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $6,000
1870 5c MS
Worth: $15 – $2,200
1871 5c MS
Worth: $45 – $12,600
1872 5c MS
Worth: $25 – $12,600
1873 5c Closed 3 MS
Worth: $30 – $4,800
1873 5c Large/Small 3, Open 3, FS-1301 MS
Worth: $6,000 – $19,000
1873 5c Doubled Die Obverse MS
Worth: $70 – $3,000
1874 5c MS
Worth: $19 – $2,640
1873 5C Open 3, AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 33 in 55, 263 finer (11/25). CDN: $155 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 4,...
$195
1873 5C Open 3 MS62 NGC. NGC Census: 31 in 62, 134 finer (10/25). CDN: $360 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 4,500,000...
$372
1873 5C Open 3 MS64 NGC. CAC. Housed in a Generation 6 fatty holder. NGC Census: (56/43). PCGS Population: (74/51). CDN: $6...
$840
1873 5C Open 3 MS63 PCGS. CAC. Housed in a Generation 3.1 green label holder. PCGS Population: (61/125). NGC Census: (34/99...
$630
1873 5C Open 3 AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: (13/284). Mintage 4,500,000. ...
$174
1873 5C Open 3 MS61 NGC. NGC Census: (9/160). PCGS Population: (6/215). CDN: $300 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS61. Mintage 4,5...
$324
1873 5C Open 3 XF45 NGC. NGC Census: (4/187). PCGS Population: (6/296). CDN: $90 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 4,50...
$107
1873 5C Open 3, Shield Nickel, -- Struck on a Defective Planchet -- Fine 12 NGC. ...
$204
1873 5c PCGS AU50 (Open 3)
$185
1873 5C Open 3 MS65 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (32/8). PCGS Population: (36/10). CDN: $1,250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Minta...
$1,260
1873 5c NGC AU58 (Open 3)
$305
5C 1873 OPEN 3. PCGS MS66 CAC
$4,465
1873 5C Open 3, F-106 -- Cleaned -- ANACS. VF20 Details. CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 4,500,...
$384
1873 5C Open 3 VF30 NGC. NGC Census: (6/232). PCGS Population: (4/289). Mintage 4,500,000. ...
$109
1873 5C Open 3 VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (0/251). PCGS Population (1/270). Mintage: 4,500,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for proble...
$223
1873 5C Open 3 XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population (4/220). NGC Census: (1/219). Mintage: 4,500,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for probl...
$69
1873 Double Die Obverse Open 3 Fair2--Corroded--ANACS--AG ...
$8
1873 Double Die Obverse Open 3 Good4 ANACS, FS-008. The ...
$26
1873 5C
$75
1873 5C Open 3 AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: (31/232). NGC Census: (6/159). CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 4...
$138
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