1856 3-Cent Silver MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide
Melt: $1.69 (0.0217 oz Silver)

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop David Lawrence Rare Coins

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

1856 3-Cent Silver MS Values

Details

The 1856 Three Cent Silver is a high mintage type coin issue with nearly 1.5 million coins originally struck. Common overall until MS63 and MS64 where a slight uptick in value is seen. MS65's are scarce and anything finer is very rare. Beware of the rim and the devices near it, as they are usually softly struck.

down This coin is made of 0.9 silver; 0.1 copper and has a current melt value of $1.69

Obverse: A six-pointed star with a harp in the center is surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom. For the type II issues (1854-58) there are two frame lines around the star.

Reverse: The roman numeral III is centered in the design ensconced in a large, bejeweled letter C surrounded by 13 stars on the periphery. An olive sprig is added above the roman numerals.

Basic Information

GSID:

3623

Coin Date:

1856

Denomination:

3cS / 3-Cent Silver

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Philadelphia

Mintage:

1,458,000

Coinage Type:

Three cent silver

Coinage Years:

1854-1858

Composition:

0.9 silver; 0.1 copper

Physical Characteristics

Fineness:

0.9

Weight:

0.75 gr

Weight:

0.0241 oz

Precious Metal Weight:

0.0217 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

14 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

James B. Longacre

Obverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1856

Obverse Designer:

James B. Longacre

Reverse Lettering:

III

Reverse Designer:

James B. Longacre

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Cabrella
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
3/11/2026

Brunk Auctions concluded three days of sales with outstanding results for Premier British & Continental on February 24, Americana featuring the Estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on February 25, and Premier American & Southern on February 26.

1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle and 1825 BD-2 Quarter Eagle Grab Center Stage at Heritage's U.S. Coins Auction
1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle and 1825 BD-2 Quarter Eagle Grab Center Stage at Heritage's U.S. Coins Auction
3/9/2026

Ingots from S.S. Central America and noted featured collections also among March 26-28 event highlights.

CAC Coins Bring Premiums in February 2026
CAC Coins Bring Premiums in February 2026
3/9/2026

CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of February 2026.

Map icon

Mustang Town Center

Map icon

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center