This is the smallest of all U.S. Silver Coins! It is called the Three Cent Silver or "Trime." It may just be one of the most peculiar coins ever released from the U.S. Mint. This is an unusual denomination for a coin, but its purpose was to serve as an intermediate between the Cent and the Half Dime. They also made it easier to make change for some foreign coins that were accepted as currency in America at the time. The Trime was minted alongside a reduction in postage from 5 cents to 3 cents, so it was intended to become a useful coin. However the combination of its materials being worth less than its face value, and the coin's failure in helping remove Spanish coins from the market led to its discontinuation.
It is also important to note that this was the first coin that was ever produced by the U.S. Mint that did not bare a portrait of Lady Liberty, so this piece is a must have for any serious collector! The majority of three-cent silver was collected and melted down by the U.S. mint once the went out of circulation in 1890, so having this quirky piece of history is a staple in any collection!
Highlights:
- The only three-cent silver coin
- The smallest U.S. silver coin!
- The first coin minted to not depict Lady Liberty
