The copper-nickel three-cent piece is a compact 1865–1889 series made only at Philadelphia. Its single design overlaps the final silver three-cent issues, then narrows into low-mintage and proof-only dates that reward careful catalog reading.

This guide covers the copper-nickel three-cent denomination. The smaller silver three-cent piece and every five-cent nickel series have separate catalogs.

Core specifications

Issue period
1865–1889
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
31,379,216
Composition
75% Copper - 25% Nickel
Diameter
17.9 mm
Weight
1.94 g

A new alloy for a small federal denomination

Congress authorized the three-cent nickel in 1865 as federal coinage adapted to the small-change disruptions surrounding the Civil War. It joined, rather than immediately replaced, the lighter silver three-cent piece.

Every cataloged issue came from Philadelphia. Regular production declined over time, and several late dates were made only as proofs, giving a visually consistent series a sharply changing production history.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

James B. Longacre's Liberty faces left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the portrait and the date sits below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A Roman numeral III identifies the denomination inside a wreath. There is no mint mark; every cataloged issue belongs to Philadelphia.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889; 31,379,216. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

Begin with one readable type coin, then compare the Closed 3 and Open 3 formats of 1873. A complete set requires a deliberate plan for proof-only years, lower-mintage late dates, and the cataloged 1887 overdate variety.

  • 1865 P — 11,382,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1873 P - Open 3 — 783,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1877 P - Proof Only — 900. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1881 P — 1,080,575. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1885 P — 4,790. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1887 P — 7,961. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 1 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 1 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

1865 P Three Cent Nickel1866 P Three Cent Nickel1867 P Three Cent Nickel1868 P Three Cent Nickel1869 P Three Cent Nickel1870 P Three Cent Nickel1871 P Three Cent Nickel1872 P Three Cent Nickel1873 P Three Cent Nickel - Closed 31873 P Three Cent Nickel - Open 31874 P Three Cent Nickel1875 P Three Cent Nickel1876 P Three Cent Nickel1877 P Three Cent Nickel - Proof Only1878 P Three Cent Nickel - Proof Only1879 P Three Cent Nickel1880 P Three Cent Nickel1881 P Three Cent Nickel1882 P Three Cent Nickel1883 P Three Cent Nickel1884 P Three Cent Nickel1885 P Three Cent Nickel1886 P Three Cent Nickel - Proof Only1887 P Three Cent Nickel1888 P Three Cent Nickel1889 P Three Cent Nickel

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
  • Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 26 issue records, 1 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Timeline of the United States Mint — United States Mint
  2. History of U.S. Circulating Coins — United States Mint
  3. Three Cent Nickel category reference — PCGS CoinFacts