Three Cent Silver
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Spanning 1851 to 1873, the Three Cent Silver catalog contains 41 year-and-mintmark variants. Across the series, the key date is the 1858 Three Cent Silver at just 210 struck and the highest-value variant is the 1868 Three Cent Silver at up to $29,000 in top grade.
Three Cent Silver · All Strikes Mintage by Year
Peak 19MCombined mintage per year across every strike type (circulated, proof, and specimen) and all mintmarks.
About the Three Cent Silver
The Three Cent Silver pieces were produced by the United States Mint from 1851 to 1873. They were designed to fill the need for a small denomination coin in circulation, although they did not see widespread usage. These coins were made of .750 fine silver and had a total weight of 0.0756 troy ounces. It featured the then popular Seated Liberty motif, with the reverse design depicting a wreath surrounding a small "3" numeral.
The obverse of this coin displays a figure of Liberty seated on a rock, holding a Union Shield and a staff topped by a Liberty cap. The words "United States of America" and the date of issue are inscribed around the central figure. The reverse consists of a stylized wreath of cotton and corn with an ornamental ribbon bow at the top. The numeral “3” is situated in the center of the wreath. The inscriptions “Cents” and “3/C” are printed around the wreath.
It was the first coin in the United States to feature the selected numeral denomination on the flip side. It was minted with a proof finish and its weight made it distinguishable from other U.S. coins.
The Three Cent Silver pieces have since become one of the harder American coins to find. Examples in Mint State condition or in exceptional quality can cost up to several thousand dollars, or even more.
The Three Cent Silver piece is a great example of the early coins of the United States. Size, production dates, and its designs make it a coin that has retained its rarity and value. For collectors, this is an opportunity to acquire an excellent example of a rare and significant coin of the U.S.
Most-collected Three Cent Silver coins on LuckyCoin
Looking for coins from a specific year across every denomination? Browse US coin values by year →
Which Three Cent Silver coins do collectors actually own? See the 2026 rarity & ownership report →
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Three Cent Silver minted?
- The Three Cent Silver was minted by United States from 1851 to 1873.
- How many Three Cent Silver coins were minted?
- Across every year and mintmark, approximately 42,728,250 Three Cent Silver coins were struck.
- What mintmarks exist for the Three Cent Silver?
- Three Cent Silver coins were struck with the following mintmarks: O. Some years were also produced without a mintmark.
- What is the Three Cent Silver made of?
- The Three Cent Silver is made of silver (.900) (.100 copper), weighs 0.75 grams, and measures 14 mm in diameter.
- How much is a Three Cent Silver worth?
- Value depends on year, mintmark, and condition. Common dates in average circulated condition trade for near face value, while the rarest varieties in top grade can fetch up to $29,000. See individual year pages for grade-by-grade estimates.