View All 1851 Silver Three Cent Piece

1851 (O) Silver Three Cent Piece

Strike Type
1851 (O) Three Cent coin

Coin Details

Year
1851
Denomination
Three Cent
Mint Mark
O
Strike Type
Regular Strike
Series
Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873
Designer
James Barton Longacre
Mintage
720,000
Composition
75% Silver, 25% Copper
Weight
0.8g
Diameter
14mm
Edge
Plain

Value Estimates

$82 - $1,244

Values as of May 2026, from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized
$22,800
Sold
Grade
MS67
Auction house
Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1851 (O) Silver Three Cent Piece, struck at the New Orleans Mint, is part of the Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873 collection. The New Orleans Mint struck 720,000 silver three-cent pieces dated 1851. The obverse features a six-pointed star enclosing a Union shield and the reverse displays a Roman numeral III (three) within a large letter C. First year of the Silver Three-Cent Piece, introduced to facilitate purchasing the newly reduced three-cent postage stamps. The 1851-O is the only branch mint issue in the entire series. Struck in 75% silver, 25% copper, weighing 0.8 grams, 14 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3665.

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