1851 Proof Silver Three Cent Piece

Coin Details

Auction Record

$176,250 PR66 11-16-2012 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1851 Proof Silver Three Cent Piece is a proof cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873 series. With a mintage of 4, this is an extremely rare issue — the lowest mintage among 3 mint variants, representing only less than 1% of total production. 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. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $176,250 PR66 11-16-2012 Stack's Bowers. Struck in 75% silver, 25% copper, weighing 0.8 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3696.