1873 3CN Closed 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

PCGS MS67

View More Images

PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 3739

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 1.94 grams

Mintage:: 1,173,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $6,469 • MS66 • 02-01-2005 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1873 3CN Closed 3
1873 3CN Open 3

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	3,000	R-4.4	13 / 23 TIE	13 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	12 / 23 TIE	12 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	100	R-8.0	6 / 23 TIE	6 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	3,000
60 or Better	500
65 or Better	100

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.4
60 or Better	R-6.0
65 or Better	R-8.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	13 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	12 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 23 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	13 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	12 / 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:

The first Three-Cent Nickels of 1873 utilized the same-sized date logotypes as in previous years. Unfortunately, the small date and the shape of the 3 made it appear to be an 8 at a quick glance. Mint officials noticed this discrepancy and changed the shape of the 3 by opening the loops so that it no longer looked like an 8. By doing so, they created two varieties for the year.

According to the PCGS Population Report, the certified population of the Closed 3 variety is almost twice that of the Open 3, which is in line with their original mintages. Despite this difference, most price guides value them equally.

The finest examples certified by PCGS include ten MS66's.