US 1875 3 CENT NICKLE MS64
080-00417
The **1875 Three-Cent Nickel**, certified by NGC as **MS64**, is a remarkable survivor from one of the most challenging years in this short-lived series. While the Three-Cent Nickel was introduced in 1865 to help alleviate the shortage of small change during the Civil War era, by the mid-1870s, production had slowed significantly. The 1875 issue is a standout rarity, boasting a remarkably low mintage of just **228,000 pieces**. For perspective, this is a tiny fraction of the millions struck during the series' peak, making this date a significant hurdle for those attempting to complete a year-by-year set.
### Design and Visual Appeal
The coin features James B. Longacre’s classic design, depicting a Greco-Roman stylized head of Liberty facing left, bound by a coronet and a string of beads. The reverse is strikingly simple, featuring the Roman numeral "III" nestled within a laurel wreath. At a grade of **MS64**, this specimen exhibits the crisp, sharp details characteristic of a well-preserved Mint State coin. The luster is typically vibrant, and the surfaces remain clean and attractive, showcasing the delicate design elements that are often lost to the wear of circulation or the "clashed dies" frequently seen in this series.
### Numismatic Significance
The 1875 date is particularly coveted because it falls into a period where the denomination was beginning its decline toward eventual discontinuation in 1889. Because so few were minted, finding a specimen in **Choice Uncirculated** condition is a difficult task for even seasoned numismatists.
As a "key date" due to its low mintage, this coin offers immense appeal for both type collectors and series specialists. It represents a fascinating moment in U.S. Mint history—a unique, odd-denomination coin that remains a tangible link to the post-Reconstruction era of American commerce. For the collector, this MS64 example is more than just currency; it is a preserved piece of 19th-century industrial art.
### Design and Visual Appeal
The coin features James B. Longacre’s classic design, depicting a Greco-Roman stylized head of Liberty facing left, bound by a coronet and a string of beads. The reverse is strikingly simple, featuring the Roman numeral "III" nestled within a laurel wreath. At a grade of **MS64**, this specimen exhibits the crisp, sharp details characteristic of a well-preserved Mint State coin. The luster is typically vibrant, and the surfaces remain clean and attractive, showcasing the delicate design elements that are often lost to the wear of circulation or the "clashed dies" frequently seen in this series.
### Numismatic Significance
The 1875 date is particularly coveted because it falls into a period where the denomination was beginning its decline toward eventual discontinuation in 1889. Because so few were minted, finding a specimen in **Choice Uncirculated** condition is a difficult task for even seasoned numismatists.
As a "key date" due to its low mintage, this coin offers immense appeal for both type collectors and series specialists. It represents a fascinating moment in U.S. Mint history—a unique, odd-denomination coin that remains a tangible link to the post-Reconstruction era of American commerce. For the collector, this MS64 example is more than just currency; it is a preserved piece of 19th-century industrial art.
| Additional Information | |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY | USA |
| DENOMINATION | 3 CENTS |
| EdgeItemKey | 001-080-00417 |
| GRADE | MS64 |
| Inventory Type | Stock |
| MINT MARK | Philadelphia |
| stone info | [] |
| Vendor Style Code | 1875 3CN |
| YEAR | 1875 |
