1872 3CN (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3738

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 1.94 grams

Mintage:: 862,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $7,619 • MS66 • 02-01-2005 • Heritage Auctions

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1872 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	5,000	R-4.0	16 / 23	16 / 23
60 or Better	400	R-6.2	9 / 23 TIE	9 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	100	R-8.0	6 / 23 TIE	6 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	5,000
60 or Better	400
65 or Better	100

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.0
60 or Better	R-6.2
65 or Better	R-8.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	16 / 23
60 or Better	9 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 23 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	16 / 23
60 or Better	9 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 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:

By 1872, demand for Three-Cent Nickels waned, and mintages began to decline -- first by dropping below a million coins, and ultimately falling to a mere 1,000 coins in 1885. Nonetheless, the mintage of the 1872 remained large enough that sufficient numbers of high-grade examples exist to satisfy the demand from collectors today. As with preceding dates, the typical Mint State grade for the 1872 ranges from MS63 to MS65. Though the PCGS Condition Census is laden with MS66's. PCGS has not yet certified an MS67 example of this date.

In general, this date comes well-struck, but light clashmarks begin to shop up more frequently. Collectors should look for examples that show little or no clashing, and nearly full vertical lines on the reverse.