Price Guide for 1868 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: $11.00 – $192.00Uncirculated: $55.00 – $12,219.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.00 – $179.50Uncirculated: $43.00 – $1,069.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $185.00Uncirculated: $200.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,155.00Uncirculated: $2.85 – $7,200.00
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eBayUncirculated: $174.01 – $3,450.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $225.00 – $325.00Uncirculated: $350.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $121.00 – $5,405.00Uncirculated: $891.00 – $66,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $25.00 – $2,087.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,400.00 – $5,750.00Uncirculated: $6,000.00 – $85,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $236.00 – $720.00Uncirculated: $2.85 – $11,456.25
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eBayCirculated: $499.99 – $829.99Uncirculated: $526.66 – $1,375.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $550.00 – $750.00Uncirculated: $800.00 – $9,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $633.00 – $25,200.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,674.75 – $1,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,294.00 – $5,581.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $374.00 – $11,500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $305.00 – $8,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $550.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $11,500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,174.55
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,750.00 – $5,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1868 Three Cents
The 1868 Three Cent Nickel was part of the Three Cent Nickel series, which was produced from 1865 to 1889. This coin was introduced to replace the silver three-cent piece, which had become scarce during the Civil War. The Three Cent Nickel was designed to facilitate small transactions and postage purchases, as the price of a first-class stamp was three cents at the time.
The year 1868 saw a relatively low mintage for this denomination, making it a more desirable date for collectors of the series.
| Weight | 1.94 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia only) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Liberty head facing left, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Roman numeral III within an ornate C, designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1868 Three Cent Nickel significantly impacts its value and desirability among collectors. Due to its age and limited mintage, finding high-grade examples can be challenging.
Uncirculated specimens with original mint luster are particularly valuable. Coins in MS65 or higher grades are considered rare and command substantial premiums. Even in lower mint state grades (MS60-MS64), well-preserved examples are highly sought after.
For circulated coins, those with clear design details and minimal wear on high points (such as Liberty’s hair and the wreath on the reverse) are more desirable. The presence of original toning can also enhance the coin’s appeal to collectors.
Mintage: 3,252,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant for this year
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Strike quality is an important factor for the 1868 Three Cent Nickel. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Liberty’s hair and the wreath, are more valuable. The centering of the design on both obverse and reverse can also affect the coin’s desirability.
The presence of carbon spots or other surface issues can significantly detract from a coin’s value, even in higher grades. Conversely, coins with exceptional eye appeal, such as those with attractive, natural toning, may command premiums above their grade-based value.
As a lower mintage year in the series, the 1868 Three Cent Nickel is generally more valuable than many other dates, making it an important coin for collectors focusing on this denomination or assembling date sets of 19th-century U.S. coinage.
