Whitman Expo
![Image for 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1880_3cn.jpg?MaxHeight=640&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
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
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
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
Sort by
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 MS63 PCGS. CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$268
1865 3CN MS65 NGC. Housed in a Generation 5 fatty holder. CDN: $410 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$464
1866 3CN MS66+ PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 48 in 66 (9 in 66+), 5 finer. CAC: 22 in 66, 4 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,050 Whsle....
$1,769
1866 3CN MS67+ PCGS. CAC. ...
$12,810
1874 3CN MS62 PCGS. PCGS Population: 30 in 62, 203 finer (11/25). CDN: $160 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 789,300. ...
$189
1870 3CN MS64 NGC. CDN: $235 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 1,335,000. ...
$288
1882 3CN VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: 45 in 30, 263 finer (12/25). CDN: $195 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 22,200. ...
$312
1873 3CN Closed 3, AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 16 in 55, 276 finer (10/25). CDN: $78 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage ...
$169
1879 3CN VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: 16 in 25, 317 finer (10/25). CDN: $104 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 38,000. ...
$119
1888 3CN AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: 74 in 58 (2 in 58+), 387 finer (10/25). CDN: $180 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintag...
$216
1889 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 16 in 35, 523 finer (10/25). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 18,100. ...
$204
1865 3CN -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. MS60. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$64
1882 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (10/161). Mintage 22,200. ...
$301
1889 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: (44/466). Mintage 18,100. ...
$198
1883 3CN VF20 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 4,000....
$456
1885 3CN XF45 PCGS. CAC....
$3,600
1865 3CN Three Cent Nickel -- 165° Counter Clockwise Rotated Dies -- VG08 PCGS. Mintage 11,382,000....
$89
1882 3CN Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/353). Mintage 22,200. ...
$192
1866 3CN MS61 NGC. NGC Census: (36/710). Mintage 4,801,000. ...
$130
1875 3CN Misplaced Date, FS-301, Fine 15 PCGS. (FS-006.5). PCGS Population: (5/21). NGC Census: (0/14). Fine 15. Mintage 22...
$51
1865 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $12,000
1866 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $8,400
1867 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $5,000
1868 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $7,800
1869 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $7,200
1870 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $8,000
1871 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $6,600
1872 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $7,800
1873 3cN Closed 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $6,200
1873 3CN Open 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $3,600
1874 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $9,000
1875 3cN MS
Worth: $12 – $7,800
1876 3cN MS
Worth: $13 – $1,980
1879 3cN MS
Worth: $35 – $3,000
1880 3cN MS
Worth: $50 – $2,300
Greysheet News
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
7/23/2024
Events
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 3, 2026
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 10, 2026