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Proof 3 cent nickels were struck during the entire course of production of the 3 cent nickel, which was made from 1865 through 1889. The series, designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, is popular with type collectors and those who focus on minor-denomination coins, and thus the proofs enjoy some market activity from that standpoint.
While most of the proof issues begin at relatively affordable prices, certain dates were proof-only years. Thus, prices for those individual proof issues are significantly higher not because these proofs are any scarcer in the absolute sense but rather due to the strong demand placed on these coins from date set collectors who have only the proof specimen as an option to obtain an example of a 3 cent nickel from that year.
The proof-only years are 1877, 1878, and 1886, and prices for these issues vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, based on the date and grade. There are a few significant design varieties for the proofs, including the 1873 Close 3, 1873 Open 3, and 1887 7/6 overdate.
Obverse Description
A Romanesque Liberty is portrayed facing left with LIBERTY emblazoned on her crown. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears on the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The roman numeral III is centered in the design surrounded by a large wreath tied with a bow at the bottom. This design is one of few American coins without wording on one of the sides.
Catalog Information
GSID:
73783
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Date]
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
III
Weight (gr):
1.94 gr
Weight (oz):
0.0624 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
17.9
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1865-1889
Coin Date:
3-Cent Nickel
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3760
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Coin Value History
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR68 |
|
$5,500 | $1,234 |
| PR68 | - | $4,100 | $1,234 |
| PR67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1865 3cN PR
Worth: $600 – $7,500
1866 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $5,400
1867 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $4,080
1868 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $3,360
1869 3cN PR
Worth: $231 – $3,900
1870 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $4,200
1871 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $2,700
1872 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $3,600
1873 3cN Closed 3 PR
Worth: $165 – $4,200
1874 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $3,900
1875 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $932
1876 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $4,080
1877 3cN PR
Worth: $860 – $3,600
1878 3cN PR
Worth: $480 – $8,400
1879 3cN PR
Worth: $165 – $4,500
1872 3CN PR65 PCGS. CDN: $565 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR65. Mintage 950. ...
$641
1873 3CN Closed 3 PR64 PCGS. CDN: $450 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mintage 1,100. ...
$500
1877 3CN JD-1, Low R.2, PR66 PCGS. CAC. ...
$3,904
1882 3CN JD-1, R.1, PR68 PCGS. ...
$3,904
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-67 (PCGS). CAC.
$1,464
1867 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-62 (PCGS).
$390
1872 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-63 (PCGS).
$390
1880 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof. Unc Details--Spot Removed (PCGS).
$293
1888 3CN PR61 NGC. NGC Census: 10 in 61, 948 finer (4/26). CDN: $245 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR61. Mintage 4,582. ...
$293
1883 3CN PR53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 7 in 53, 2068 finer (4/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR53. Mintage 6,609. ...
$268
1882 3CN PR60 NGC. NGC Census: 2 in 60, 986 finer (2/26). CDN: $230 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR60. Mintage 3,100. ...
$268
1885 3CN PR58 PCGS. PCGS Population: (16/1300). Mintage 3,790. ...
$408
1884 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-50 (PCGS).
$720
1885 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-55 (PCGS).
$1,440
1887/6 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. FS-302. Strong Overdate. Proof-40 (PCGS).
$504
1878 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-45 (PCGS).
$552
1884 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-30 (PCGS).
$1,080
1883 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof. AU Details--Tooled (PCGS).
$204
1886 3CN PR10 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (1/1332). NGC Census: (0/988). CDN: $270 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR10. Mintage 4,...
$384
1886 3CN PR35 PCGS. PCGS Population: (2/1270). NGC Census: (0/972). Mintage 4,290. ...
$352
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