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Proof 3 cent nickels were struck during the entire course of production of the 3 cent nickel, which was made from 1865 through 1889. The series, designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, is popular with type collectors and those who focus on minor-denomination coins, and thus the proofs enjoy some market activity from that standpoint.
While most of the proof issues begin at relatively affordable prices, certain dates were proof-only years. Thus, prices for those individual proof issues are significantly higher not because these proofs are any scarcer in the absolute sense but rather due to the strong demand placed on these coins from date set collectors who have only the proof specimen as an option to obtain an example of a 3 cent nickel from that year.
The proof-only years are 1877, 1878, and 1886, and prices for these issues vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, based on the date and grade. There are a few significant design varieties for the proofs, including the 1873 Close 3, 1873 Open 3, and 1887 7/6 overdate.
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.
Book Reference
Designer: James B. Longacre. Weight: 1.94 grams. Composition: .750 copper, .250 nickel. Diameter: 17.9 mm. Edge: Plain. Mint: Philadelphia.
Key to Collecting: Specimens are available in most grades. Circulated coins are generally available. Attractive VF to AU coins are readily obtainable of the early dates, with 1865 being the most often seen. Well-struck Mint State coins are easier to find of the later years, 1879 to 1889. Many are partially prooflike and may have been struck as Proofs.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Best-struck pieces are those toward the end of the series. Choice well-struck, lustrous examples are scarce among the years 1865 to 1876, although there is no lack of certified “gems” on the market that are not choice.
Proof Coins: An easy option for a choice piece is one dated from 1879 to 1889, a range that combines high Proof mintage figures with usually well-struck details. Proofs of the 1860’s and early 1870’s are difficult to find in overall high quality. The first year of issue, sometimes selected for a type set, is quite rare.
Catalog Information
GSID:
73783
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:
Proof
Diameter:
17.9
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1865-1889
Coin Date:
3-Cent Nickel
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3760
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Coin Value History
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR68 |
|
$5,500 | $1,234 |
| PR68 | - | $4,100 | $1,234 |
| PR67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $1,234 | $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 |
1865 3cN PR
Worth: $550 – $7,500
1866 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $5,400
1867 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $4,080
1868 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $3,360
1869 3cN PR
Worth: $220 – $3,900
1870 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $4,200
1871 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $2,700
1872 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $3,600
1873 3cN Closed 3 PR
Worth: $160 – $4,200
1874 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $3,900
1875 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $840
1876 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $4,080
1877 3cN PR
Worth: $860 – $3,120
1878 3cN PR
Worth: $480 – $7,800
1879 3cN PR
Worth: $160 – $4,500
1889 3CN PR64 PCGS. CDN: $365 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mintage 3,436. ...
$464
1884 3CN PR66 PCGS. CDN: $535 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR66. Mintage 3,942. ...
$586
1887/(6) 3CN JD-2, R.1, PR62 PCGS. Ex: Teich Family Collection. PCGS Population: 22 in 62, 540 finer (12/25). CDN: $312 Whs...
$378
1880 3CN PR65 NGC. CDN: $450 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR65. Mintage 3,955. ...
$500
1865 3CN JD-1, Low R.3, PR67+ PCGS. ...
$10,370
1881 3CN PR60 NGC. NGC Census: 3 in 60, 892 finer (12/25). CDN: $215 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR60. Mintage 3,575. ...
$264
1885 3CN PR61 ANACS. Mintage 3,790. ...
$300
1881 3CN PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (54/782). Mintage 3,575. ...
$336
1885 3CN PR58 PCGS. PCGS Population: (16/1300). Mintage 3,790. ...
$408
1878 3CN PR68 NGC. JD-1, R.1....
$3,600
1887 3CN -- Plugged, Repaired -- ANACS Details. Proof 50. Mintage 2,960. ...
$348
1883 3CN PR40 NGC. NGC Census: (4/1489). PCGS Population: (8/1954). Mintage 6,609. ...
$456
1877 3cN PCGS/CAC Proof 53
$1,305
1887 3cN NGC Proof 55
$314
1886 3CN PR10 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (1/1332). NGC Census: (0/988). CDN: $270 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR10. Mintage 4,...
$384
1881 3CN PR45 NGC. NGC Census: (1/845). PCGS Population: (0/1105). Mintage 3,575. ...
$132
1878 3C -- Cleaned -- ANACS. Proof Details. ...
$504
1886 3CN PR35 PCGS. PCGS Population: (2/1270). NGC Census: (0/972). Mintage 4,290. ...
$352
1886 3CN -- Damaged -- ANACS. Proof VF Details. NGC Census: (1/970). PCGS Population (0/1214). Mintage: 4,290....
$64
1877 3CN PR30 ANACS. ...
$2,585
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