Price Guide for 1875 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: $27.00 – $576.00Uncirculated: $63.00 – $18,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $26.00 – $133.49Uncirculated: $113.75 – $2,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $25.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $178.00Uncirculated: $2.75 – $3,300.00
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eBayCirculated: $153.24Uncirculated: $150.27 – $1,260.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $200.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $188.00Uncirculated: $240.00 – $19,388.00
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eBayCirculated: $52.01 – $132.50Uncirculated: $459.95 – $1,475.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $60.00 – $300.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $184.00 – $16,100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $600.00 – $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $850.00 – $4,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,188.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10,000.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $413.26 – $1,116.25
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1875 Three Cents
The 1875 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 earlier silver three-cent piece, as silver coins had largely disappeared from circulation during the Civil War. The Three Cent Nickel was designed to facilitate small transactions and postage purchases, as the cost of mailing a letter was three cents at the time.
| Weight | 1.94 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia, no mint mark) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Liberty head facing right, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Roman numeral III within a decorative C-shaped wreath, designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of an 1875 Three Cent Nickel. Due to its low mintage, well-preserved examples are highly sought after by collectors. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are particularly valuable, with premium prices paid for specimens with strong strikes, full luster, and minimal contact marks.
For proof coins, cameo and deep cameo contrasts between the fields and devices can significantly increase value. The rarity of high-grade examples makes them especially desirable to advanced collectors and can command substantial premiums.
Mintage: 228,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 700
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades PR65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, particularly for cameo and deep cameo examples
Strike quality is an important factor for the 1875 Three Cent Nickel. Well-struck coins with full detail on Liberty’s hair and the wreath on the reverse are more valuable. Original mint luster is highly prized, and coins with attractive, even toning can command premiums.
As a key date in the series, the 1875 Three Cent Nickel is in high demand across all grades. Its historical significance as a low-mintage year during the Reconstruction era adds to its appeal among collectors and historians alike. The proof version, with its extremely low mintage, is particularly valuable and sought after by advanced collectors of 19th-century proof sets.
