Offered here is an authentic 1872 Three-Cent Nickel in Very Good (VG) condition, struck at the Philadelphia Mintduring the middle years of this historic and increasingly collectible U.S. coin series. Minted from 1865–1889, the three-cent nickel played an important role in post–Civil War commerce, replacing the unpopular three-cent silver with a more durable copper-nickel alloy.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse features a classical portrait of Liberty wearing a coronet, while the reverse displays a bold Roman numeral “III” framed by a laurel wreath. The elegant and compact design has made this denomination a favorite among type collectors.

This 1872 example grades Very Good (VG) and shows clear design outlines, a fully readable date, and strong reverse detail. Liberty’s portrait remains well-defined, and the Roman numeral III is bold with good inner line visibility. The surfaces display a natural silver-gray patina, typical of original copper-nickel coins from this era.

Coin Highlights:

• Date: 1872

• Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)

• Denomination: Three-Cent Nickel (3¢)

• Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

• Weight: 1.94 grams

• Diameter: 17.9 mm

• Designer: James B. Longacre

• Condition: Very Good (VG) – readable date, bold “III,” clear Liberty outline

• Collectibility: Scarcer mid-series issue with strong demand among type collectors

The 1872 three-cent nickel is a desirable mid-date piece, far less common in the marketplace than early dates. Examples with solid VG detail offer a great balance of affordability and strong eye appeal, making them ideal for U.S. type sets or 19th-century coin collections.

**For multiple items purchased, we can combine ship which will reduce your overall shipping costs.**