1873 3CN Open 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

PCGS MS66+

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3740

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:: $10,575 • MS66 • 04-24-2013 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1873 3CN Closed 3
1873 3CN Open 3

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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	1,500	R-4.8	9 / 23 TIE	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	125	R-7.7	3 / 23 TIE	3 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	30	R-8.9	3 / 23	3 / 23

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,500
60 or Better	125
65 or Better	30

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.8
60 or Better	R-7.7
65 or Better	R-8.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	3 / 23

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	3 / 23

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Tompet38 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Tompet38 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 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, at a quick glance, to be an 8 . 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 Open 3 variety is just over half that of the Closed 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 over two dozen MS65's, with none finer.