ALL NEW!!! - 2027 Red Books Available
Order Your Copy Today!

1881 3cN MS

Greysheet & CPG® Values
1881 3cN MS
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!

The 1881 mintage rockets up to over a million making it by far the highest mintage of the 1880's Three Cent Nickels. Very common up through MS65 at which point the coin becomes scarce as a high-gem. Only the finest of gems are very rare. A fantastic type coin for its series.

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: 2782
Designer: James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer: James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1881
Reverse Designer: James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering: III
Weight (gr): 1.94 gr
Weight (oz): 0.0624 oz
Strike Type: Business
Diameter: 17.9
Coin Shape: Round
Edge: Plain
Coin Date: 1881
Denomination: 3cN
Designation: MS
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 1,077,000
Coinage Type: Three cent nickel
Coinage Years: 1865-1889
Composition: 75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #: 3749
Subscribe to View

View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.

Coin Value History
1881 3cN MS
Value By Grade
1881 3cN MS
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
GSID:2782 PCGS:3749 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values by grade for 1881 3cN MS
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS67 CAC $4,500 $1,234
MS67 - $3,750 $1,234
MS66 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS66 - $1,234 $1,234
MS65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS65 - $1,234 $1,234
MS64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS64 - $1,234 $1,234
MS63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS63 - $1,234 $1,234
MS62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS62 - $1,234 $1,234
MS61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS61 - $1,234 $1,234
MS60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234
XF40 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF40 - $1,234 $1,234
VF35 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF35 - $1,234 $1,234
VF30 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF30 - $1,234 $1,234
VF25 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF25 - $1,234 $1,234
VF20 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF20 - $1,234 $1,234
F15 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F15 - $1,234 $1,234
F12 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F12 - $1,234 $1,234
VG10 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG10 - $1,234 $1,234
VG8 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG8 - $1,234 $1,234
G6 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G6 - $1,234 $1,234
G4 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G4 - $1,234 $1,234
AG3 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG3 - $1,234 $1,234

Related Items

Other items from this series
See all

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-64 (PCGS). OGH.
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-64 (PCGS). OGH.
$317
Sold 8/5/2026
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 3CN MS63 PCGS. CDN: $180 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
1881 3CN MS63 PCGS. CDN: $180 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$268
Sold 3/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC.
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC.
$750
Sold 3/16/2026
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 3CN MS62 NGC. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
1881 3CN MS62 NGC. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$192
Sold 11/25/2025
Heritage Auctions
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-66 (NGC). CAC.
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-66 (NGC). CAC.
$870
Sold 2/26/2025
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 3CN AU58 PCGS. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
1881 3CN AU58 PCGS. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$159
Sold 8/27/2024
Heritage Auctions
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-55 (PCGS).
$96
Sold 8/21/2024
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$144
Sold 8/23/2023
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 3cN PCGS AU53
1881 3cN PCGS AU53
$65
Sold 4/10/2023
DLRC
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-61 (NGC).
1881 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-61 (NGC).
$96
Sold 2/15/2023
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1881 3cN PCGS MS67
1881 3cN PCGS MS67
$4,100
Sold 9/26/2022
DLRC
1881 3CN -- Clamshell Lamination, Damage -- ANACS. Fine 15 Details. ...
1881 3CN -- Clamshell Lamination, Damage -- ANACS. Fine 15 Details. ...
$59
Sold 3/28/2022
Heritage Auctions
1881 3cN PCGS VF30
1881 3cN PCGS VF30
$28
Sold 4/20/2020
DLRC
1881 3cN PCGS XF45
1881 3cN PCGS XF45
$50
Sold 7/29/2019
DLRC
1881 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population (19/700). NGC Census: (8/515). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
1881 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population (19/700). NGC Census: (8/515). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
$35
Sold 5/20/2014
Heritage Auctions
1881 3CN Nickel Three Cents Reverse Lamination VF20 NGC. ...
1881 3CN Nickel Three Cents Reverse Lamination VF20 NGC. ...
$48
Sold 8/13/2013
Heritage Auctions
1881 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (12/678). NGC Census: (8/507). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
1881 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (12/678). NGC Census: (8/507). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
$37
Sold 7/2/2013
Heritage Auctions
1881 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population (9/587). NGC Census: (3/447). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fre...
1881 3CN AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population (9/587). NGC Census: (3/447). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fre...
$69
Sold 9/11/2011
Heritage Auctions
1881 3CN --Scratched--MS60 ICG.MS60 Details. NGC Census: (2/361). PCGS Population (9/419). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Ws...
1881 3CN --Scratched--MS60 ICG.MS60 Details. NGC Census: (2/361). PCGS Population (9/419). Mintage: 1,080,575. Numismedia Ws...
$64
Sold 8/12/2008
Heritage Auctions
1881 3CN MS64 NGC. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
1881 3CN MS64 NGC. Mintage 1,080,575. ...
$266
Sold 12/10/2024
Heritage Auctions
Subscribe to View

View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.

From the Greysheet Marketplace

Live listings from Greysheet dealers
See all

Greysheet News

Greysheet Offers Former Numismaster Subscribers 3 Months Free Subscription
Greysheet Offers Former Numismaster Subscribers 3 Months Free Subscription

Numismaster.com ceased operations on July 31, leaving paid digital subscribers scrambling to pursue other options for their numismatic information.

Special Quarters Headed for Circulation
Special Quarters Headed for Circulation

The search is on for special quarter dollars that will be placed in circulation by the United States Mint as part of the nation's Semiquincentennial celebration.

The Business of Numismatics: August 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
The Business of Numismatics: August 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter

With the month of July and all the celebrations of Independence Day behind us, the rare coin market looks with anticipation to August.

Events

Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, June 3, 2026