| Shortly after the United States Civil War there | | | | stamp in 1851 was, you guessed it, 3 cents. |
| were two different three cent pieces in circulation. | | | | Before 1851, these postage stamps were five |
| You had silver three cent pieces and nickel three | | | | cents, but the US government reduced the price |
| cent pieces. And during this post Civil War period, | | | | to three cents. |
| these three cent pieces were actually from silver | | | | Today the three-cent pieces are highly valued by |
| and nickel. This article focuses on the three cent | | | | US coin collectors and coin collectors around the |
| nickel. | | | | globe. The three cent pieces in mint condition or in |
| Today in the United States we do not have many | | | | proof condition are worth the most money. |
| different kinds of coins in circulation. We have | | | | During most of the production years of the |
| pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and | | | | three-cent piece, the Mint only minted 1,000 or |
| dollar coins. But, previously in American history | | | | less of these coins per year. Since there were so |
| there were many more different denomination of | | | | few of these coins minted, they are very rare |
| coins in circulation. One of these coins were nickel | | | | making them highly sought after coin collectibles. |
| three-cent pieces. | | | | There nickel three-cent pieces graded at proof-66 |
| In 1865, however, the US Mint started to produce | | | | are at around $850. |
| nickel versions of the three cent piece. These | | | | Why are three cent nickels popular buys for coin |
| nickel three-cent pieces were 75% cooper and | | | | collectors? Since only 1,000 or less of these coins |
| 25% nickel. During the 1880s very few of these | | | | were minted from 1851 through 1889, the three |
| nickel three-cent pieces were produced. And in | | | | cent coins are very rare. Scarcity is what drives |
| 1889, the three-cent piece was discontinued. | | | | coin values. If you are trying to determine what a |
| Doesn't it seem wierd that the US Mint produced | | | | coin is worth, scarcity or rarity is the prime |
| three cent pieces? Why did the United States Mint | | | | factor. In addition, the history of the three cent |
| mint these us coins? The US Mint started | | | | coin makes these coins popular too. |
| producing the three cent piece in 1851. At first | | | | With the proof-66 three cent nickel going for |
| only the silver three-cent piece was produced. | | | | roughly $850 due to the rarity of these nickel |
| The silver three cent pieces were very thin coins | | | | three cent pieces these are great buys for any |
| which were produced solely to help make it easier | | | | us coins collector. |
| to purchase postage stamps. The US postage | | | | |