1862 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
$30,000 MS67+ 05-15-2019 Stack's Bowers
Description
Part of the Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873 series, the 1862 Silver Three Cent Piece is a cent from the Philadelphia Mint. With a mintage of 343,000, this is a less common issue — the lower-mintage of the two mint variants. 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. The last year with a significant business-strike mintage before Civil War hoarding decimated silver coin circulation. The Philadelphia Mint, America's oldest coin-making facility, has struck coins continuously since 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $70 to $439 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 0.75 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3680.
External References
Error Varieties(1)
Other Strike Types in This Series
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