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3-Cent Silver 3cS Type 1, 1851-1853 MS [Type]

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.0193 oz +13.77%
$0.73
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The Type 1 Three Cent Silver was the first year and design for its series and denomination. Produced in order to have coinage between 1C and 5C, making it easier to exchange foreign coins (legal tender at the time) into U.S. currency. This type lasted from 1851 through 1853 and were produced with just 75% silver.

Obverse Description

A six-pointed star with a harp in the center is surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom. For the type I issues (1851-53) there is no frame line around the star.

Reverse Description

The roman numeral III is centered in the design ensconced in a large, bejeweled letter C surrounded by 13 stars on the periphery.

Catalog Information

GSID: 73773
Designer: James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer: James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Date]
Reverse Designer: James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering: III
Fineness: 0.75
Weight (gr): 0.8 gr
Weight (oz): 0.0257 oz
Precious Metal Weight: 0.0193 oz
Strike Type: Business
Diameter: 14
Coin Shape: Round
Edge: Plain
Variety: Type 1
Variety 2: 1851-1853
Coin Date: 3-Cent Silver
Denomination: 3cS
Designation: MS
Mint Mark: Various
Coinage Type: Three cent silver
Coinage Years: 1851-1853
Composition: 0.75 silver; 0.25 copper
PCGS #: 3663
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Coin Value History
3-Cent Silver 3cS Type 1, 1851-1853 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Silver 3cS Type 1, 1851-1853 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.0193 oz +13.77%
$0.73
GSID:73773 PCGS:3663 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS68 CAC $26,500 $1,234
MS68 - $19,500 $1,234
MS67 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS67 - $1,234 $1,234
MS66 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS66 - $1,234 $1,234
MS65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS65 - $1,234 $1,234
MS64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS64 - $1,234 $1,234
MS63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS63 - $1,234 $1,234
MS62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS62 - $1,234 $1,234
MS61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS61 - $1,234 $1,234
MS60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234
XF40 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF40 - $1,234 $1,234
VF35 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF35 - $1,234 $1,234
VF30 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF30 - $1,234 $1,234
VF25 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF25 - $1,234 $1,234
VF20 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF20 - $1,234 $1,234
F15 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F15 - $1,234 $1,234
F12 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F12 - $1,234 $1,234
VG10 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG10 - $1,234 $1,234
VG8 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG8 - $1,234 $1,234
G6 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G6 - $1,234 $1,234
G4 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G4 - $1,234 $1,234
AG3 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG3 - $1,234 $1,234

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1851 3CS MS64 PCGS. CDN: $410 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 5,447,400. ...
$439
Sold 2/10/2026
Heritage Auctions
1853 3CS VF20 PCGS. PCGS Population: 28 in 20, 1363 finer (1/26). CDN: $58 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 11,400,00...
$84
Sold 2/10/2026
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS AU55 ANACS. Mintage 720,000. ...
$610
Sold 2/10/2026
Heritage Auctions
1851 3CS AU58 NGC. NGC Census: 67 in 58, 1239 finer (1/26). CDN: $190 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 5,447,400. ...
$232
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1852 3CS MS65 PCGS. CAC. CAC: 71 in 65, 57 finer (12/25). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 18,663,500. ...
$854
Sold 1/27/2026
Heritage Auctions
1852 3CS MS66 PCGS. CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 18,663,500. ...
$1,769
Sold 1/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1853 3CS MS62 PCGS. CDN: $220 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 11,400,000. ...
$312
Sold 12/30/2025
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 37 in 53, 605 finer (12/25). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 720,000...
$540
Sold 12/23/2025
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS MS63 PCGS. CDN: $1,100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 720,000. ...
$1,170
Sold 12/9/2025
Heritage Auctions
1852 3CS XF40 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 18,663,500. ...
$104
Sold 12/2/2025
Heritage Auctions
1851 3CS MS67 PCGS....
$3,600
Sold 8/28/2025
Heritage Auctions
1853 3CS XF45 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (2/171). Mintage 11,400,000. ...
$204
Sold 3/10/2025
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS VF35 CACG. Mintage 720,000. ...
$204
Sold 12/16/2024
Heritage Auctions
1853 3CS VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (36/891). PCGS Population: (29/1272). CDN: $59 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 11,400,...
$84
Sold 6/11/2024
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS -- Scratched, Cleaned -- ANACS Details. VF30. Mintage 720,000. ...
$107
Sold 5/14/2024
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: (10/771). NGC Census: (4/523). CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage ...
$159
Sold 5/7/2024
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3CS -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. AU50. Mintage 720,000....
$186
Sold 3/19/2024
Heritage Auctions
1851 3CS Three Cent Silver Piece -- Obverse Die Break -- Fine 12 ANACS....
$109
Sold 6/12/2023
Heritage Auctions
1853 3CS MS60 PCGS. Gold CAC. PCGS Population: (7/809). NGC Census: (2/631). CDN: $175 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS60. Mintag...
$420
Sold 6/12/2023
Heritage Auctions
1851-O 3cS NGC MS61
$586
Sold 2/27/2023
DLRC
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