1881 3-Cent Nickel PR Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop Whitman

Sponsor

shop US Coins and Jewelry

Sponsor

shop

1881 3-Cent Nickel PR Values

Details

The 1881 Proof Three Cent Nickel is a great type coin due to its relative affordability and higher mintage of 3,575 coins. Except for the finest gems, this coin is common throughout all grades. Beware, these poorly made proofs can be confused with business strike examples. Cameos bring a small premium with deep cameos being rare and coveted.

Obverse: 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: 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.

Basic Information

GSID:

2838

Coin Date:

1881

Denomination:

3cN / 3-Cent Nickel

Designation:

PR

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Philadelphia

Mintage:

3,575

Coinage Type:

Three cent nickel

Coinage Years:

1865-1889

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

1.94 gr

Weight:

0.0624 oz

Strike Type:

Proof

Diameter:

17.9 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

James B. Longacre

Obverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1881

Obverse Designer:

James B. Longacre

Reverse Lettering:

III

Reverse Designer:

James B. Longacre

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers

Greysheet News

View All News
Greysheet Exclusive Reporting: Semiquincentennial Coins Head to Space
Greysheet Exclusive Reporting: Semiquincentennial Coins Head to Space
5/11/2026

When the next SpaceX Dragon 2 rocket lifts off from Florida, it will be carrying some special cargo.

Second Quarter Dollar Released in 2026 Semiquincentennial Circulating Coin Program
Second Quarter Dollar Released in 2026 Semiquincentennial Circulating Coin Program
5/9/2026

The second quarter dollar in the 2026 Semiquincentennial Circulating Coin Program was released on March 23 at Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of President George Washington.

The Business of Numismatics: May 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
The Business of Numismatics: May 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
5/8/2026

Two major auctions featuring a combined 3,892 lots have taken place since the publication of our last issue.

Map icon

DAVID LAWRENCE RARE COINS

Map icon

The Police Athletic League (PAL) Building