The 3 cent coin is an unusual coin sought by collectors of United States issued coins. There are two types of 3 cent coins: one type made from silver and the other type made from nickel. Collectors seeking the most valuable of these coins should look for the dates at the end of both series since these coins were only around for less than 25 years each. As with any other rare coin, condition plays a major role in the value.

3 Cent Coin (Silver): 1851-1873

The 3 cent silver coin was first minted in 1851 to meet the need of small denomination coins that were easy to handle and carry. The 3-cent denomination was proposed due to a decrease in the U.S. Postage rates from five cents to three cents.

The design of the coin is simple and features a six sided star with a shield inside. The reverse side is the Roman numeral for three. Throughout the run of the silver three cent coin, the design did not change.

A silver 3 cent coin is composed of 25% copper and 75% silver. This coin was also the lightest coin ever minted, weighing less that a gram each. The diameter of the 3 cent coin was smaller than the current Eisenhower dime.

There are 11 dates highly sought after by collectors. Most of these rare dates have a starting value of $200, but can easily reach more than $500 for extremely fine and uncirculated conditions. Two of the most elusive issues of the silver 3 cent piece is the 1851 O which was the only 3 cent piece minted outside of Philadelphia. The other elusive coin from this series is the 1873 silver proof. Only 600 of these coins were issued and distributed to collectors that year.

3 Cent Coin (Nickel): 1865-1889

In 1865, 3 cent nickels began circulating. This was due to hoarding of all types of silver coins during the Civil War. The mint replaced the tiny silver 3 cent piece with a larger nickel 3 cent piece. There was a slight design change in the 3 cent piece as well, offering the head of Lady Liberty on the obverse side to replace the start and shield. While these coins were only supposed to be issued until citizens ceased hoarding of silver coins, the 3 cent nickel was used for more than 20 years and became a regularly circulated coin.

Coin collectors will want to look for high grade coins in 13 of the 24 years the coin circulated. Some of of the most valuable years include the 1883, 1884, and 1885 which are worth $350-$900 in uncirculated condition. It is easier to find 3 cent nickels in uncirculated condition because of how unpopular theses coins were with the general population.

*Prices are based on values at the time this article was written. Check the Professional Coin Grading Service for current prices.