Description

Buy Three Cent Silver Coins Online

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

Three Cent Silver - The Trime Coin For Sale

The 1851-1873 Three Cent Silver coin, often referred to as the "Trime," was a unique denomination in U.S. coinage history. Here are some key points about these coins:

Composition: The Three Cent Silver coin was composed of 75% silver and 25% copper, giving it a silver appearance.
Design: The obverse (front) of the coin features a shield with a six-pointed star above it, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse (back) displays the Roman numeral III surrounded by a wreath.
Purpose: These coins were initially minted to address the need for a small denomination in commerce, particularly for buying postage stamps. The silver composition was chosen to ensure they were not easily confused with the larger, more valuable silver coins of the time.
Size and Weight: The Three Cent Silver coin was tiny, with a diameter of just 14mm (slightly larger than a modern dime) and a weight of 0.8 grams.
Mintage: The mintage of these coins varied from year to year, with some years seeing relatively low production numbers.
Collectibility: Three Cent Silver coins are popular among collectors due to their unique history and design. They are relatively affordable for collectors, with many examples available in the market.
Cessation: The coin was discontinued in 1873 as part of the general discontinuation of silver coinage during the early 1870s, leading to the Coinage Act of 1873, which effectively ended the free coinage of silver in the United States.
Value: The value of a Three Cent Silver coin depends on its condition, rarity, and demand among collectors. Common dates in average condition can be purchased for a modest sum, while rare varieties or coins in exceptional condition can be quite valuable.