1865 Three Cent Pattern - J-414

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,200 MS65+ 09-17-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

Judd-414 is a business-strike three-cent pattern from 1865 featuring the Shield design in copper-nickel alloy. This pattern is closely related to the adopted Nickel Three Cent Piece that entered production in 1865. The business-strike format indicates this was a production test rather than a collector presentation piece, evaluating how the dies performed under normal striking conditions. The three-cent nickel denomination was authorized by the Act of March 3, 1865, making this pattern either a late prototype or an early die trial for the newly approved coin.

Rarity Notes

Rarity-6. Approximately 15-20 specimens known. May be confused with regular production coins.

Cross References

Judd-414; Nickel Three Cent prototype