1851 (O) Silver Three Cent Piece
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$22,800 MS67 08-25-2021 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. With a mintage of 720,000, this is a less common issue — the scarcer of two mint variants, with 12% 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. New Orleans's branch mint, active from 1838 through 1909, produced coins that carry a distinct historical significance tied to the antebellum and postbellum South. Estimated market value ranges from $82 to $1.2K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 75% silver, 25% copper, weighing 0.8 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3665.
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