1872 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
$57,600 MS68 02-25-2021 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1872 Silver Three Cent Piece is a cent from the Philadelphia Mint, belonging to the Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873 series. With a mintage of 1,000, this is an extremely rare issue — the higher-mintage of the two mint variants, representing 51% of 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. Minted during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, as the nation healed from civil war and debated the role of silver and gold in the monetary system. Coined at the Philadelphia facility, the nation's original mint that has operated continuously since its 1792 founding. Estimated market value ranges from $861 to $4.9K 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 #3693.
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