 |
| |
U.S. 3 Cent Type Set 1851-1889 2 Coins Good |
|
U.S. 1851-1873 “Silver Trime” 3 Cent Piece
Believe it or not, there once was a legal-tender U.S. 3 cent piece! There had long been a shortage in commerce of big copper pennies. So in 1851 Congress issued silver 3 cent pieces, convenient for buying then new 3 cent postage stamps. The obverse design was a distinct departure from previous issues, featuring a unique six-pointed star and Union shield. On the reverse is a Roman numeral III within an ornate “C” (for 100). The compact 14mm size makes it the second smallest coin in our history. Our well-traveled Good quality circulated in American commerce 150 years ago.
14mm
U.S. 1865-1889 “Coronet Liberty” 3 Cent Nickel
During the Civil War hard-asset silver coins were hoarded out of circulation, including the silver “trime” 3 cent piece. In response, this copper-nickel last 3 cent type emerged just after the Civil War, when extremely hard nickel was no longer a critical armament metal. Its unique Liberty is one of the prettiest in U.S. coinage. The laurel wreath reverse includes a Roman numeral ‘III.’ In its 24-year span just 32 million were issued — a fraction of the U.S. population when the series was retired. Our well-circulated Good quality passed through many hands during the Frontier Era.
17.9mm
|
|
|
