View All 1861 Silver Three Cent Piece

1861 Proof Silver Three Cent Piece

Strike Type
1861 (P) Three Cent coin

Coin Details

Year
1861
Denomination
Three Cent
Mint Mark
P
Strike Type
Proof
Series
Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873
Designer
James Barton Longacre
Mintage
1,000
Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight
0.75g
Diameter
14mm
Edge
Plain

Value Estimates

$998

Value as of May 2026, from the one price recorded for this coin. Actual sales can differ. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized
$16,100
Sold
Grade
PR67*
Auction house
Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1861 Proof Silver Three Cent Piece is a proof silver three-cent piece struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873 series. The Philadelphia Mint struck 1,000 proof silver three-cent pieces dated 1861. 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. Produced during the Civil War, when coin hoarding caused severe shortages and the Mint experimented with new compositions to keep coins in circulation. 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. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 0.75 grams, 14 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3710.

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