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)
Business StrikesType 1, Small Star
1851
1851-O
1852
1853
Type 2, Large Star, Three Lines
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
Type 3, Large Star, Two Lines
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
DATE
MINTAGE
5,447,400
720,000
18,663,500
11,400,000
671,000
139,000
1,458,000
1,042,000
1,603,700
364,200
286,000
497,000
343,000
21,000
12,000
8,000
22,000
4,000
3,500
4,500
3,000
3,400
1,000
Proof StrikesType 2, Large Star, Three Lines
1854 Proof
1855 Proof
1856 Proof
1857 Proof
1858 Proof
Type 3, Large Star, Two Lines
1859 Proof
1860 Proof
1861 Proof
1862 Proof
1863 Proof
1864 Proof
1865 Proof
1866 Proof
1867 Proof
1868 Proof
1869 Proof
1870 Proof
1871 Proof
1872 Proof
1873 Proof
DATE
MINTAGE
30
20
100
300
210
800
1,000
1,000
550
460
470
500
725
625
600
600
1,000
960
950
600
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1886
1887
1888
1889
Three-Cent Nickel (1865 - 1889)
Business StrikesDATE
MINTAGE
11,382,000
4,801,000
3,915,000
3,252,000
1,604,000
1,335,000
604,000
862,000
1,173,000
790,000
228,000
162,000
510
2,350
38,000
21,000
1,077,000
22,200
4,000
4,290
5,000
36,501
18,125
Proof Strikes1865 Proof
1866 Proof
1867 Proof
1868 Proof
1869 Proof
1870 Proof
1871 Proof
1872 Proof
1873 Proof
1874 Proof
1875 Proof
1876 Proof
1877 Proof
1878 Proof
1879 Proof
1880 Proof
1881 Proof
1882 Proof
1883 Proof
1884 Proof
1885 Proof
1886 Proof
1887 Proof
1888 Proof
1889 Proof
DATE
MINTAGE
500
725
625
600
600
1,000
960
950
1,150
700
700
1,150
510
2,350
3,200
3,955
3,575
3,100
3,983
3,942
3,790
4,290
4,290
4,582
3,336
If You Collect Three-Cent Coins, Check Out The ‘US Odd Denominations’ Type Set!
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