Whitman Expo
1853 3-Cent Silver MS Values
Details
Only the 1852 has a higher mintage making the 1853 a great type coin. Extremely common through MS65, with MS66 being slightly tougher to find. Only grades of MS67 or better would be considered scarce. The strike for this issue is less than impressive but Mint State examples provide incredible luster.
This coin is made of 0.75 silver; 0.25 copper and has a current melt value of $1.40
Obverse: A six-pointed star with a harp in the center is surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom. For the type I issues (1851-53) there is no frame line around the star.
Reverse: The roman numeral III is centered in the design ensconced in a large, bejeweled letter C surrounded by 13 stars on the periphery.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
11,400,000
Coinage Type:
Three cent silver
Coinage Years:
1851-1853
Composition:
0.75 silver; 0.25 copper
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.75
Weight:
0.8 gr
Weight:
0.0257 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.0193 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
14 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1853
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
III
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
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