Price Guide for 1853 Three Cents Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.15 – $305.50Uncirculated: $3.00 – $38,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.61 – $285.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $3,129.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $60.00 – $325.00Uncirculated: $350.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $329.00 – $764.00
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eBayCirculated: $127.50 – $150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $125.00 – $375.00Uncirculated: $400.00 – $900.00
Design and Specifications of the 1853 Three Cents
The 1853 Three Cent Silver, also known as a ‘trime’, was part of a series first introduced in 1851. This coin was created to facilitate the purchase of postage stamps, which cost three cents at the time. The year 1853 saw a significant change in the coin’s composition, reducing its silver content from 75% to 90% to discourage hoarding and melting.
The Three Cent Silver played a crucial role during a period of coin shortages and economic uncertainty, serving as a bridge between the large cent and the half dime in the US coinage system.
| Weight | 0.8 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 14 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark) |
| Composition | 75% silver, 25% copper |
| Obverse Design | Liberty head facing right, wearing a coronet inscribed with 'LIBERTY' |
| Reverse Design | Large Roman numeral III within a decorated C-shaped border |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the 1853 Three Cent Silver. Due to its small size and relatively soft composition, many examples show significant wear. Coins in high grades (MS63 and above) command substantial premiums. The weak strikes common to this issue make sharp, well-defined examples particularly desirable.
Luster is an important factor, with fully lustrous specimens being highly prized. Toning can add to the appeal, with attractively toned pieces often commanding higher prices among collectors.
Mintage: 11,400,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above due to weak strikes and small size
Varieties Errors: None significant for this year
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among type set collectors
Strike quality is a significant factor for the 1853 Three Cent Silver. Many examples suffer from weak strikes, particularly on the reverse. Coins with full, sharp details on both sides are highly desirable and can command significant premiums.
Die state can also impact value. Late die state examples with pronounced die cracks or clashing marks may be of interest to specialized collectors. Additionally, any examples showing signs of the transition in silver content (such as partial planchets of the old alloy) could be extremely valuable due to their historical significance.
