Realcent.org

Just found a 1861 3 cent piece while looking at some dime rolls. I have done a little research but don't know much about them, i was hopping someone here knew about them.

here is a pic (not the one i have just one i found online, i might post the one i have later if i can find my camera):

In 1849 a new denomination, the three-cent piece, was suggested. In that year several patterns were made, two of which combined the obverse of a standard silver half dime with the reverse numeral as 3 and III. Another particularly curious piece was simply a combination of these two numbers, 3 and III, one serving as the obverse and the other as the reverse, thus creating the most simplistic pattern ever produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Actually, the piece was not produced as a pattern but was simply made to illustrate the size of the proposed denomination.

In 1851 additional patterns were made. The obverse depicted a liberty cap with rays surrounding. The reverse bore an inscription and a palm branch arranged in a circle.

When the silver three-cent piece, or trime as it is sometimes called (in government reports, but rarely by collectors), was first issued in 1851, it was hoped that it would help with postal transactions, for the letter rate was revised to 3c about that time. Also it was hoped that the pieces would relieve some of the demand for large cents. The initial pieces minted 1851-1853 differed from the other silver denominations (half dime to dollar) and contained 75% silver and 25% copper (instead of 90% silver and 10% copper). In later years, from 1854 to 1873, the alloy was the standard 90% silver and 10% copper as used on the larger silver coins.

In 1873. most of the 3c SILVER three-cent pieces minted from 1863 to 1873 were melted down. That's why the ones from these years are very scarce.

Your 1861 (Type III variety - 1859-1873) is a nice coin, only 497,000 ever minted. Nice find, I'm envious.

http://www.coinfactswiki.com/wiki/Three_Cents

Thank you for the info Country! I am very happy with this find.

What condition is it in? If you ever decide to put it on the market give me a holler. I collect any coin from 1861/1961 and havn't come across a 3 center yet. Congrats on a great find.

You found a trime while coin roll hunting? Not calling you out but I find this hard to believe. They are so much smaller than a dime. You have to give some more details of how you came across this...

I understand its hard to believe ill try to find my camera so i can take a picture. These dime rolls had about 5% silver return as well, they were hand rolled, and the dimes that weren't silver were all pre 90's so not sure what the story was with them but I'm happy i picked them up.

Wow, that is one of the best finds I have seen in a long time. I have never heard of a 3 center in a dime roll. Congrats.

I took the picture next to a few of the silver dimes i found to show how much small it is, also it is extremely thin.

Sweet find! Looks like there is a pretty good die clash on it too.

That looks like a real nice one too.

It looks much better than good.

I rarely even seen the good ones go for less than 25 bucks.

Great coin, congratulations.

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to bring it in to my local coin shop and let the guys take a look at it and see what grade they think it is. I don't think I'm going to sell it to them though because i like to keep all my finds.

If your looking to sell, let me know. Looking for a nice upgrade for my 7070.

AGCoinHunter wrote:If your looking to sell, let me know. Looking for a nice upgrade for my 7070.

Thanks for offer but i like to hang on to the coins i find, they make good stories.

Awesome find! That looks like a higher grade!