United States 1880 3 cents
This specimen was lot 316 in Scotsman's Midwest Summer Sale (St. Louis, July 2012), where it sold for $____. The catalog description noted, "1880 PCGS PF-66. Description: Cameo effect completely bypassed this lovely proof, but eye-appeal remains in spades, with both sides benefitting from extensive and very attractive rainbow iridescence. The obverse is touched with segments of chartreuse, lemon-cyan and magenta, while the reverse produces similar colors in the more usual bull's-eye pattern." The three cent nickel superseded the three cent silver of 1851-73. It was quite popular when introduced in 1865 as it replaced the inconvenient three cent fractional currency issued during the Civil War but mintages dropped steadily during the 1870's until it was terminated entirely in 1889. This date is scarce but not rare.
Recorded mintage: 21,000 plus 3,955 proofs.
Specification: 1.94 g, copper-nickel, 17.9 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by James Longacre.
Catalog reference: KM 110.
- 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.
- Garcia, James, and Jay Woodside, The Midwest Summer Sale, St Louis, MO: Scotsman Auction Co., 2012.
- 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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