Design and Specifications of the Three Cent Silver

The Three Cent Silver coin, also known as a ‘trime’, was introduced in 1851 to facilitate the purchase of postage stamps, which cost three cents at the time. It was the first U.S. coin to contain metal valued less than its face value, and its small size earned it the nickname ‘fish scale’. The coin’s composition was changed in 1854 to improve its durability and appearance.
Weight 0.8 grams (1851-1853), 0.75 grams (1854-1873)
Diameter 14 mm
Mint Marks No mint mark for Philadelphia, O for New Orleans (1851 only)
Composition 75% silver, 25% copper (1851-1853), 90% silver, 10% copper (1854-1873)
Obverse Design A six-pointed star with the Shield of the United States at its center
Reverse Design The Roman numeral III surrounded by the letter C for 'Cents'
Years of Minting 1851-1873

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Three Cent Silver coins greatly impacts their value, with uncirculated specimens commanding significant premiums. Due to their small size and delicate nature, high-grade examples are particularly scarce. Some years, like 1851, have both Type 1 (75% silver) and Type 2 (90% silver) varieties, which can affect rarity and value. Additionally, the 1862/1 overdate is a notable error that is highly prized by collectors.
1855 139,000 minted; lowest mintage for circulation
1866 22,725 minted; one of the key dates in the series
1873 600 minted; last year of issue and extremely rare
1851-O 720,000 minted; the only New Orleans issue and highly sought after

Explore Three Cent Silver Values by Year

1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873

Most Valuable Three Cent Silver

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1852 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $325.00 –
1853 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $325.00 –
1860 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $375.00 –
1867 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $675.00 – $2,350.00 –
1851 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $325.00 –
1852 3 Cents FS-301 Date Repunched Over Inverted Date (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $500.00 –
1851-O 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,000.00 –
1862 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $375.00 –
1856 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $500.00 –
1868 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $1,400.00 – $5,750.00 –
1863/2 3 Cents (Proof) – $3,000.00 – $30,000.00
1853 3 Cents RPD FS-301 (FS-003) (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $375.00 –
1861 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $375.00 –
1855 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $900.00 –
1858 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $500.00 –
1863 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $500.00 – $1,350.00 –
1866 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $800.00 – $1,600.00 –
1872 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $1,500.00 – $3,850.00 –
1862/1 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $550.00 –
1854 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $500.00 –
1857 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $500.00 –
1854 3 Cents (Proof) – $8,000.00 – $75,000.00
1856 3 Cents (Proof) – $3,000.00 – $45,000.00
1857 3 Cents (Proof) – $2,500.00 – $60,000.00
1858 3 Cents (Proof) – $2,000.00 – $65,000.00
1859 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $375.00 –
1864 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $1,650.00 –
1865 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $675.00 – $2,100.00 –
1855 3 Cents (Proof) – $4,000.00 – $60,000.00
1869/'8' 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $450.00 – $2,350.00 –
1870 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $650.00 – $1,850.00 –
1871 3 Cents (Regular Strike) $800.00 – $1,275.00 –
1859 3 Cents (Proof) – $800.00 – $11,000.00
1860 3 Cents (Proof) – $800.00 – $30,000.00
1861 3 Cents (Proof) $650.00 – $750.00 –
1862 3 Cents (Proof) – $800.00 – $15,000.00
1863 3 Cents (Proof) $700.00 – $750.00 –
1864 3 Cents (Proof) $550.00 – $750.00 –
1865 3 Cents (Proof) $750.00 – $800.00 –
1866 3 Cents (Proof) $650.00 – $750.00 –
1867 3 Cents (Proof) $600.00 – $750.00 –
1868 3 Cents (Proof) $550.00 – $750.00 –
1869/'8' 3 Cents (Proof) $550.00 – $750.00 –
1869 3 Cents (Proof) – $7,000.00
1870 3 Cents (Proof) $600.00 – $750.00 –
1871 3 Cents (Proof) $650.00 – $750.00 –
1872 3 Cents (Proof) $650.00 – $750.00 –
1873 3 Cents (Proof) $900.00 – $1,500.00 –
1851 3 Cents RPD FS-301 (FS-001) (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $375.00 –
1851 3 Cents RPD FS-302 (FS-001.5) (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $425.00 –
1852 3 Cents DDR FS-801 (002.5) (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $425.00 –
1851 3 Cents (Proof) – $150,000.00 – $300,000.00
1854 3 Cents RPD FS-301 (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $550.00 –
1862/1 3 Cents Overdate FS-301 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $550.00 –
1863 3 Cents, PL (Regular Strike) – $10,000.00 – $35,000.00
1864 3 Cents, PL (Regular Strike) – $6,000.00 – $11,000.00
1866 3 Cents, PL (Regular Strike) – $8,500.00
1870 3 Cents, PL (Regular Strike) – $11,000.00
1871 3 Cents, PL (Regular Strike) – $5,500.00
1855 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $40,000.00 – $80,000.00
1856 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $11,000.00 – $60,000.00
1857 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $55,000.00
1858 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $4,000.00 – $70,000.00
1859 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,100.00 – $25,000.00
1860 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,500.00 – $12,500.00
1861 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,100.00 – $30,000.00
1862 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,000.00 – $32,500.00
1862 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $17,500.00
1863 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $825.00 – $50,000.00
1863/2 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $6,500.00 – $85,000.00
1864 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,500.00 – $75,000.00
1864 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $7,500.00 – $15,000.00
1865 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,500.00 – $45,000.00
1865 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $30,000.00 – $35,000.00
1866 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,000.00 – $27,500.00
1866 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $2,500.00 – $22,500.00
1867 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,000.00 – $25,000.00
1868 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,100.00 – $30,000.00
1868 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $10,000.00
1869/'8' 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,750.00 – $27,500.00
1869 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $35,000.00
1870 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,000.00 – $40,000.00
1870 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $6,500.00 – $15,000.00
1871 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,100.00 – $40,000.00
1871 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $15,000.00
1872 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,100.00 – $40,000.00
1872 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $4,000.00 – $20,000.00
1873 3 Cents, CAM (Proof) – $1,750.00 – $40,000.00
1873 3 Cents, DCAM (Proof) – $4,000.00 – $25,000.00

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Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

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