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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:
79406
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 #:
83760
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Coin Value History
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR CAM [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR CAM [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 |
|
$6,500 | $1,234 |
| PR68 | - | $5,000 | $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 |
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]
![3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/18673cn.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $165 – $4,500
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
1869 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS).
$793
1874 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Repunched Date. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS).
$854
1878 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-66 (PCGS).
$1,159
1888 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-67 Cameo (PCGS). CAC.
$1,830
1867 3CN PR62 Cameo PCGS. PCGS Population: 1 in 62 Cameo, 118 finer (2/26). Mintage 625. ...
$378
1879 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. JD-1. Rarity-1. High Date. Proof-68 Cameo (NGC).
$3,840
1876 3CN PR63 Cameo PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (4/30). Mintage 1,150. ...
$444
1884 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-61 Cameo (NGC).
$408
1876 3CN PR64 Cameo NGC. NGC Census: 22 in 64 Cameo, 81 finer (4/26). Mintage 1,150. ...
$537
1874 3CN PR65 Cameo PCGS. PCGS Population: 40 in 65 (1 in 65+) Cameo, 45 finer (5/26). Mintage 700. ...
$793
1878 3CN PR66 Cameo PCGS. Mintage 2,350. ...
$1,007
1888 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. JD-1. Rarity-1. Proof-67 * Cameo (NGC).
$1,464
1868 3CN PR62 Cameo PCGS. PCGS Population: (2/100). ...
$576
1879 3CN PR68 Cameo NGC. JD-1, R.1....
$6,600
1865 3CN PR63 Cameo NGC. NGC Census: (6/53). Mintage 500. ...
$1,620
1869 3CN PR64 Cameo PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 33 in 64 (1 in 64+) Cameo, 85 finer. CAC: 6 in 64, 43 finer (4/26). ...
$813
1878 3CN PR65 Cameo PCGS. PCGS Population: 60 in 65 Cameo, 169 finer (5/26). Mintage 2,350. ...
$915
1884 3CN PR66 Cameo NGC. NGC Census: 71 in 66 Cameo (7 in 66+, 1 in 66?), 36 finer (4/26). ...
$915
1874 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. JD-1. Rarity-2. Proof-67 Cameo (NGC).
$3,172
1868 3CN PR62 Cameo NGC. NGC Census: (1/94). PCGS Population: (1/96). PR62. ...
$360
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