United States 1866 3 cents KM-95
The Philadelphia Mint produced 960 or fewer proofs for each of the years 1865 through 1877 in this series. The proof production surged to 2300+ for each of the years thereafter through the end of the series in 1889, peaking at 6609 in 1883.
The Three Cent Nickel was the first to employ the copper-nickel composition, which caused the Mint headaches because of its hardness. The boon to the collector is in the numerous die breaks, die clashes and other anomalies that abound in this series, along with the simple, classical design. This specimen was lot 1037 in Stack's Bowers November 2012 Baltimore auction, where it sold for $2,585. The lot description noted, "1866 Nickel Three-Cent Piece. Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS). A fully struck specimen with razor-sharp design details, sharply frosted devices, and jet-black mirrored fields. Immaculately preserved and pristine. A scarce issue at this high grade level, and rare any finer. Population: 13; 1 finer in Cameo. Ex: J E U, as noted on the PCGS insert."
Recorded mintage: 11,382,000 plus an est. 725 proofs.
Specification: 1.94 g, copper-nickel, 17.9 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by James Longacre.
Catalog reference: KM 95.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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