1865 3CN (Regular Strike)
Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889
PCGS MS67
PCGS MS67
PCGS MS67
- PCGS #:
- 3731
- Designer:
- James Barton Longacre
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 17.90 millimeters
- Weight:
- 1.94 grams
- Mintage:
- 11,382,000
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
- Auction Record:
- $19,800 • MS67 • 01-12-2020 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1865 3CN
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 50,000 |
| 60 or Better | 5,000 |
| 65 or Better | 500 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-2.5 |
| 60 or Better | R-4.0 |
| 65 or Better | R-6.0 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 23 / 23 |
| 60 or Better | 23 / 23 |
| 65 or Better | 23 / 23 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 23 / 23 |
| 60 or Better | 23 / 23 |
| 65 or Better | 23 / 23 |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 MS67 PCGS grade
|
| #1 MS67 PCGS grade |
#3 MS66+ PCGS grade
|
#4 MS66 PCGS grade
|
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #4 MS66 PCGS grade |
The 1865 Three-Cent Nickel was the first year of a completely new coin type and the first year of a new metal type. The Philadelphia Mint produced more than 11 million examples of this date, a mintage that had not been seen since 1853, when an almost identical amount of Three-Cent Silver pieces were struck. The Three-Cent Nickel eventually replaced the Three-Cent Silver, but both types were made continuously up until 1873, after which the Three-Cent Silver was discontinued.
The 1865 is easily the most common of all the Three-Cent Nickels. PCGS has certified well over 1,000 Mint State examples, with most falling in the MS-63 to MS-64 grade range. Gem examples are slightly scarce but can be found with relative ease. Superb examples are very rare, the finest of which are two PCGS MS-67s. This date is characterized by weak central strikes (look at the lines in the Roman numeral 3 on the reverse) and numerous die cracks.