1869 3CN (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3735

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 1.94 grams

Mintage:: 1,604,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $7,044 • MS66 • 02-01-2005 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1869 3CN

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	10,000	R-3.0	19 / 23	19 / 23
60 or Better	750	R-5.5	16 / 23 TIE	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	150	R-7.5	12 / 23 TIE	12 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	10,000
60 or Better	750
65 or Better	150

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.0
60 or Better	R-5.5
65 or Better	R-7.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	19 / 23
60 or Better	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	12 / 23 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	19 / 23
60 or Better	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	12 / 23 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1869 Three-Cent Nickel is a common coin, but it is not quite as plentiful as the preceding years. This is due, in large part, to a reduced mintage that is less than half of that of the 1868. Nonetheless, collectors should have an easy time locating a nice Mint State example, particularly in grades MS64 and below. Gems are scarcer, but but even in MS66, PCGS has certified 18 examples. However, none have been certified in grades higher than MS66.

Clashmarks are a common problem on this date. Many examples have a full outline of Liberty's head on the reverse. Otherwise, this date is better-made than preceding years, with most examples showing little or no weakness on the vertical lines on the reverse.