Nickel Three Cent Piece (1865-1889)

The Nickel Three Cent Piece was minted from 1865-1889. It was created because the Silver Three Cent Piece was being hoarded by the public.

Designer: James B. Longacre

Composition: .750 Copper, .250 Nickel

History
The odd thing about this piece is that is was proposed by John Kasson. Kasson opposed of any coin being struck in Nickel. It was passed on March 3, 1865.



The Silver 3 Cent Piece was being hoarded by the public because Silver was a precious metal back then. Even the Copper-Nickel cents dissappeared from circulation. The Silver 3 Cent Piece was hoarded since 1862, so it was rare that you saw one in circulation. This Nickel 3 Cent Piece was a popular choice by the Mint. People preferred this than the unfavored Fractional Currency they were forced to use.

These coins were Minted from 1865 to 1889. Through all those years 31,378,826 coins were produced (Including Proofs).

The Mint never expected the 3 Cent Piece to be part of the permanant US coin system. The postal rate changed in 1889, needing no more 3 cent pieces. After 1889, there would be no more 3 Cent Pieces Minted. The denomination was discontinued on September 26, 1890. The remaining 3 Cent pieces were melted and made into Liberty ("V") Nickels.

Year-By-Year Guide
1865-11,382,000     1865 Proof-500+

1866-4,801,000       1866 Proof-725+

1867-3,915,000       1867 Proof-625+

1868-3,252,000       1868 Proof-600+

1869-1,604,000       1869 Proof-600+

1870-1,335,000       1870 Proof-1,000+

1871-604,000          1871 Proof-960+

1872-862,000          1872 Proof-950+

1873, Close 3-390,000      1873, Close 3 Proof-1,100+

1873, Open 3-783,000

1874-790,000           1874 Proof-700+

1875-228,000           1875 Proof-700+

1876-162,000           1876 Proof-1,150+

1877 Proof Only-900

1878 Proof Only-2,350

1879-38,000            1879 Proof-3,200

1880-21,000            1880 Proof-3,955

1881-1,077,000       1881 Proof-3,575

1882-22,200            1882 Proof-3,100

1883-4,000              1883 Proof-6,609

1884-1,700              1884 Proof-3,942

1885-1,000              1885 Proof-3,790

1886 Proof Only-4,290

1887-5,001              1887 Proof-2,960

1888-36,501            1888 Proof-4,582

1889-18,125            1889 Proof-3,436

Resources
Coin Community Family (Information)

PCGS Photograde (Images)