We are excited to release the thirty-ninth coin in the CollecTons Keepers program, an exclusive series only offered by CollecTons. CollecTons Keeper #39 in the Series features the first year of issue 1865 Nickel Three-Cent Piece, Certified in an Exclusive ANACS Circulated Holder.
What makes this coin a Coin Worth Keeping?
The nickel three-cent piece was produced by the U.S. Mint from 1865 to 1889. The economic impact of the American Civil War caused the public to hoard all government-issued coins, making them vanish from circulation. The Philadelphia Mint was having trouble filling demand for the cent due to it being difficult to strike. Congress issued paper money in smaller denominations, including three cents, but the small slips of paper were deeply disliked by the public because they quickly became ragged and dirty and they were easy to lose. After the initial success of the two-cent piece in 1864 it was recommended that the three cent note be replaced with a three-cent nickel. Congress passed legislation authorizing the three-cent nickel piece on March 3, 1865 and production was quickly under way.
The three-cent piece was initially a very popular coin, but the larger five-cent nickel was introduced in 1866 and the public found it to be a more convenient coin for everyday use. The mint reduced the production numbers heavily in 1871 and the last of the coins were produced in 1889. Many of the coins were collected by the mint and melted down to use in five-cent pieces.
The obverse of the three-cent piece features the likeness of the goddess Liberty, as designed by Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. She wears a coronet bearing her name and has a ribbon in her hair. The reverse was also designed by Longacre. He combined the Roman numeral III with the laurel wreath previously used on the 1859 Indian Head cent. Congress had required that all coins large enough to bear it must contain the motto "In God We Trust" but the three-cent piece was deemed too small.
This 1865 Three-Cent Piece, first year of issue, is a highly sought after piece of American history. It is a first of its series and a popular type coin for collectors today.
Coin Specifications
Year: 1865
Mint: Philadelphia
Finish: Circulated
Mintage: 11,382,000
Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 1.94 grams
Diameter: 17.9 mm
Edge: Plain
What makes the CollecTons Keepers program special? Here at CollecTons, we work hard researching coins that should be part of every collection. Our goal is to utilize our knowledge in the numismatic industry to select coins worthy of being in everyone's collection! Therefore, the CollecTons Keepers program will only feature those Coins Worth Keeping.
Each coin is hand selected and given to ANACS (America's Oldest Grading Service) for grading and authentication. The coins are then sealed in an ANACs certified proprietary slab holder for long-term storage, with our limited edition label marking it a CollecTons Keeper. Collect one or collect the entire series!
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