U.S. Three-Cent Coins
(1851 - 1889)
U.S. Three-Cent Coins were created to support everyday transactions during a time of changing metal prices and postal rates. First struck in silver and later in copper-nickel, the three-cent piece was designed to facilitate the purchase of postage stamps and small goods. Despite its practicality, the coin proved unpopular due to its small size and confusing appearance. As economic conditions stabilized and other denominations filled its role, the three-cent coin was discontinued, making it one of the shortest-lived and most distinctive denominations in U.S. history.
Check out every series of U.S. Three-Cent Coins below, complete with dates & mintages for each.
Three-Cent Silver ‘Trime’
(1851 - 1873)
The Three-Cent Silver, often nicknamed the “Trime,” was struck from 1851 to 1873. It was introduced to help facilitate the purchase of postage stamps after postal rates were reduced to three cents. Its small size and low silver content made it convenient for everyday transactions at the time.
The series went through three distinct design types. The first (1851–1853) contained 75% silver and 25% copper. Beginning in 1854, the composition was adjusted to 90% silver and 10% copper, where it remained through the end of the series. Design modifications during this transition created the commonly referenced Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 varieties.
Due to its tiny diameter — one of the smallest coins ever produced by the U.S. Mint — the Trime was easily lost and often heavily worn. Production declined after the Civil War as other small-denomination coins, including the Three-Cent Nickel, replaced its usefulness. The denomination was officially discontinued in 1873.
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Type 1, Small Star
1851 | 5,447,400
1851-O | 720,000
1852 | 18,663,500
1853 | 11,400,000
Type 2, Large Star, Three Lines
1854 | 671,000
1855 | 139,000
1856 | 1,458,000
1857 | 1,042,000
1858 | 1,603,700
Type 3, Large Star, Two Lines
1859 | 364,200
1860 | 286,000
1861 | 497,000
1862 | 343,000
1863 | 21,000
1864 | 12,000
1865 | 8,000
1866 | 22,000
1867 | 4,000
1868 | 3,500
1869 | 4,500
1870 | 3,000
1871 | 3,400
1872 | 1,000
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Type 2, Large Star, Three Lines
1854 Proof | 30
1855 Proof | 20
1856 Proof | 100
1857 Proof | 300
1858 Proof | 210
Type 2, Large Star, Two Lines
1859 Proof | 800
1860 Proof | 1,000
1861 Proof | 1,000
1862 Proof | 550
1863 Proof | 460
1864 Proof | 470
1865 Proof | 500
1866 Proof | 725
1867 Proof | 625
1868 Proof | 600
1869 Proof | 600
1870 Proof | 1,000
1871 Proof | 960
1872 Proof | 950
1873 Proof | 600
Three-Cent Nickel
(1865 - 1889)
The Three-Cent Nickel was produced from 1865 through 1889 as a replacement for the earlier silver three-cent piece. Introduced during the Civil War era when silver coins were disappearing from circulation, the new nickel-based coin offered a more practical, lower-cost alternative. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, while the reverse displays a large Roman numeral “III” encircled by a wreath.
These coins were composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel — the same alloy used for early Shield Nickels. Although intended for everyday commerce, demand declined as other small-denomination coins became more practical, and mintages dropped sharply in the 1880s. The final year, 1889, saw very limited production.
While often overlooked, the Three-Cent Nickel represents an important transitional denomination in post–Civil War American coinage.
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1865 | 11,382,000
1866 | 4,801,000
1867 | 3,915,000
1868 | 3,252,000
1869 | 1,604,000
1870 | 1,335,000
1871 | 604,000
1872 | 862,000
1873 | 1,173,000
1874 | 790,000
1875 | 228,000
1876 | 162,000
1877 | 510
1878 | 2,350
1879 | 38,000
1880 | 21,000
1881 | 1,077,000
1882 | 22,200
1883 | 4,000
1886 | 4,290
1887 | 5,000
1888 | 36,501
1889 | 18,125
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1865 Proof | 500
1866 Proof | 725
1867 Proof | 625
1868 Proof | 600
1869 Proof | 600
1870 Proof | 1,000
1871 Proof | 960
1872 Proof | 950
1873 Proof | 1,150
1874 Proof | 700
1875 Proof | 700
1876 Proof | 1,150
1877 Proof | 510
1878 Proof | 2,350
1879 Proof | 3,200
1880 Proof | 3,955
1881 Proof | 3,575
1882 Proof | 3,100
1883 Proof | 3,983
1884 Proof | 3,942
1885 Proof | 3,790
1886 Proof | 4,290
1887 Proof | 4,290
1888 Proof | 4,582
1889 Proof | 3,336
If You Collect Three-Cent Coins, Check Out The ‘US Odd Denominations’ Type Set!
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