Certified Three Cent Nickels

Three Cent Nickels for Sale

Shop our curated selection of three cent nickels for sale at Bullion Shark. Whether you're building a complete date run, assembling a 19th-century type set, or simply looking to own one of America's most historically significant small-denomination coins, our inventory includes examples across all grades, types, and price points. Every three cent nickel we sell is guaranteed authentic, and certified coins ship in original PCGS or NGC holders.

About the Three Cent Nickel

The three cent nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1865 through 1889, making it one of the shorter-lived denominations in United States coinage history. Congress authorized the coin in March 1865, partly to replace the silver three cent piece (the "trime") and partly to address the chronic coin shortage that plagued commerce during and after the Civil War. Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the coins were designed by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. The obverse features a left-facing Liberty head crowned with a tiara inscribed "LIBERTY," while the reverse displays the Roman numeral III within an ornate wreath of wheat, cotton, and corn.

At just 17.9 mm in diameter, three cent nickels are among the smallest coins ever issued by the United States Mint. The denomination was formally abolished by the Coinage Act of 1890, with the last business strikes dated 1889 and the final proofs dated 1888. Total production across the full run was approximately 31 million coins, generous by numismatic standards, though survivors in Mint State or gem proof condition are genuinely scarce.

The Three Types of Three Cent Nickels

The series is divided into three distinct reverse varieties, distinguished by the number of lines bordering the Roman numeral III on the reverse:

Type I (1865–1876): Three lines frame the III. This is the most commonly encountered type and represents the best entry point for collectors new to the series. Many Type I dates are available in circulated grades for under $100, and a complete date run from 1865 to 1876 is an achievable goal for collectors on a moderate budget.

Type II (1877–1878): Two lines border the III. The 1877 and 1878 issues were struck exclusively as proofs, making this the rarest and most expensive type. With mintages of roughly 900 coins each, both dates are considered key coins not only to the series but to all of 19th-century proof coinage. A complete type set of three cent nickels is impossible without one.

Type III (1879–1889): A single line surrounds the III. Issued in steadily declining mintages as the denomination fell from everyday use, this type spans eleven dates including several scarce issues. The 1887/6 overdate is a notable rarity among business strikes, and later-date proofs from the 1880s are prized by advanced collectors.

Three Cent Nickel Values: What Are They Worth?

Three cent nickel values depend heavily on date, type, and grade. Common Type I dates in circulated condition (Good through Very Fine) typically trade between $25 and $75. Nicer About Uncirculated examples of common dates can be found in the $100–$200 range, while Mint State survivors carry significant premiums, often $300 or more for the most available issues, and multiples of that for scarcer dates.

The Type II proof-only issues are the clear keys to the series. The 1877 proof in PF-63 regularly trades above $1,000, with gem examples in PF-65 selling for $2,000 and up. The 1878 commands similar prices. Among Type III coins, late-date proof issues in high grades frequently reach four figures at auction.

For collectors focused on value, well-struck circulated Type I examples offer excellent historical appeal at accessible prices. For those building investment-grade sets, PCGS or NGC certified Mint State and proof coins in the top five percent of the population offer the strongest long-term collectibility.

Why Collect Three Cent Nickels?

Three cent nickels occupy a compelling niche in American numismatics. The series is short enough, just 25 circulation dates plus proof-only issues, that a complete date and type set is a realistic goal rather than a lifelong obsession. Yet the coins offer genuine depth: key dates, rare overdates, proof-only issues, and grade-rarity challenges that reward patient, knowledgeable collecting.

Historically, the coins represent a pivotal moment in American monetary policy: the transition away from precious-metal small coinage toward the base-metal denominations that would define 20th-century pocket change. Owning a three cent nickel means owning a direct artifact of post-Civil War economic life, when a single coin could buy a postage stamp and change was scarce enough that people carried it carefully.

Buying Three Cent Nickels at Bullion Shark

Bullion Shark sources three cent nickels from estates, dealer networks, and auction results, updating our inventory regularly. All coins are examined by our numismatic team before listing. Certified examples ship in original slabs; raw coins are carefully packaged in flips or 2x2 holders with full descriptions of eye appeal, strike quality, and any noted surface characteristics.

We accept major credit cards, personal checks, wire transfers, and money orders. All orders ship fully insured. If you're searching for a specific date, grade, or certified population that isn't currently listed, reach out to our team, we maintain a want list for collectors and will notify you when a match becomes available.

Browse our current selection of three cent nickels for sale above, or contact us to discuss your collecting goals.