Whitman Expo
![Image for 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1880_3cn.jpg?MaxHeight=640&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Demand for eye-appealing and premium quality coins pushes Heritage Auctions' July 20 event over $237,000.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
3 cent nickels were struck from 1865 through 1889 and designed by James B. Longacre. Despite a production range spanning a quarter century during a period in US coinage history when designs were typically modified in one way or another, the 3 cent nickel retained its same general design for the course of its time.
The 3 cent nickel series boasts a few significant varieties, including the 1873 Close 3, 1873 Open 3, and 18878 7/6 overdate. However, most issues in this series are standard and relatively common, especially in the lower grades among earlier dates.
Dealers and collectors will find some degree of challenge in obtaining most of the dates from 1877 through 1889, some of which are proof-only issues and others that are comparatively scarce. These include the 1877, 1878, and 1886 proof-only issues and all business-strike issues from 1882 through 1887. Also scarce are the 1879, 1880, 1888, and 1889 3 cent nickels. This leaves only the 1881 3 cent nickel, which is priced more on par with the more common pre-1877 issues.
Obverse Description
A Romanesque Liberty is portrayed facing left with LIBERTY emblazoned on her crown. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears on the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The roman numeral III is centered in the design surrounded by a large wreath tied with a bow at the bottom. This design is one of few American coins without wording on one of the sides.
Catalog Information
GSID:
72350
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, [Date]
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
III
Weight (gr):
1.94 gr
Weight (oz):
0.0624 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
17.9
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1865-1889
Coin Date:
3-Cent Nickel
Denomination:
3cN
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Three cent nickel
Coinage Years:
1865-1889
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3730
Send Catalog Feedback
To: editor@greysheet.com
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
Body: Referring page: http://beta.greysheet.com/prices/item/three-cent-nickel-tye-coin-business-strike/gsid/72350 GSID: 72350 Title: 3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
3-Cent Nickel 3cN 1865-1889 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$17,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $14,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1865 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $12,000
1866 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $8,400
1867 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $5,000
1868 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $7,800
1869 3cN MS
Worth: $7 – $7,200
1870 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $8,000
1871 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $6,600
1872 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $7,800
1873 3cN Closed 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $6,200
1873 3CN Open 3 MS
Worth: $12 – $3,600
1874 3cN MS
Worth: $9 – $9,000
1875 3cN MS
Worth: $12 – $7,800
1876 3cN MS
Worth: $13 – $2,400
1879 3cN MS
Worth: $35 – $3,000
1880 3cN MS
Worth: $50 – $2,300
1879 3CN MS67 NGC. NGC Census: 9 in 67 (2 in 67+, 1 in 67?), 0 finer (4/26). CDN: $2,600 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Min...
$2,684
1880 3CN Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 13 in 15, 460 finer (6/26). CDN: $135 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 21,...
$220
1887 3CN XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 36 in 40, 228 finer (6/26). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 5,000. ...
$561
1879 3CN VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: 17 in 25, 323 finer (6/26). CDN: $104 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 38,000. ...
$183
1865 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-65 (PCGS).
$488
1866 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-64 (PCGS).
$317
1865 3CN MS63 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$183
1880 3CN MS66 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 93 in 66 (11 in 66+), 51 finer. CAC: 31 in 66, 19 finer (6/26). CDN: $864 Whsle....
$1,190
1883 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. VF-20 (PCGS). CAC.
$732
1884 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. EF-45 (NGC). CAC.
$3,416
1884 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-50 (PCGS).
$4,148
1885 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
$4,758
1865 3CN AU58 ANACS. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$119
1889 3CN VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 18 in 35, 533 finer (5/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 18,100. ...
$189
1889 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$268
1874 3CN MS60 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 789,300. ...
$195
1865 3CN MS62 NGC. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 11,382,000. ...
$220
1882 3CN -- Scratched -- ANACS Details. VF30 Details. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 22,200. ...
$183
1887 3CN AU53 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 10 in 53, 165 finer. CAC: 2 in 53, 39 finer (2/26). CDN: $590 Whsle. Bid for NGC...
$976
1872 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. MS-61 (PCGS).
$244
Greysheet News
Distinctive Morgan Dollars Lead Heritage's July Attractively Toned U.S. Coins Showcase Auction
7/27/2026
1888 Proof Double Eagle Leads Heritage's Summer FUN U.S. Coins Auction to $12.4 Million
1861-S Paquet Double Eagle, rare 1930-S Indian Eagle and early U.S. gold also rank among July 16-18 event highlights.
7/24/2026
Gold Rush Gallery Finds a Permanent Home with the Southern Gold Society
The website will be maintained as a fully functional resource to preserve its extensive historical content and the thousands of existing links that researchers and collectors rely upon.
7/21/2026
Events
Midlands Coin Club Coin, Currency and Collectibles Show - SC
Location: Medallion Center
Friday, May 1, 2026
