Fresh from Full Circle Coins and Currency LLC comes this sharp 1888 Three Cent Nickel, one of the final issues of one of America’s strangest and shortest-lived denominations.

And this is not just a common late-date type coin.

This is a better-date, low-mintage survivor from a series that was nearly finished by the time this piece was struck.

This example is a strong About Uncirculated (AU) in my opinion, showing excellent remaining detail across Liberty’s portrait, strong definition in the wreath, and a crisp Roman numeral III reverse that still pops nicely.

A great original collector coin with honest light wear and strong eye appeal.

The history behind the weird little three-center:

The Three Cent Nickel was introduced in 1865, largely because postage stamps cost three cents and silver coins had largely disappeared from circulation during and after the Civil War.

The government needed a practical replacement for the tiny silver trime.

So they made this.

A thicker, tougher copper-nickel coin that could actually survive circulation and not disappear into couch cushions forever.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the same engraver behind the Indian Head cent and Shield nickel, the series ran from 1865 through 1889.

By the late 1880s, the denomination was fading fast.

Nickels were more practical.

Three-cent postage was changing.

And the little three-cent piece was becoming unnecessary.

By 1888, production was tiny.

One year later, the series was dead.

Why this date matters:

The 1888 Three Cent Nickel had a mintage of just 36,500 pieces.

That makes it one of the scarcer business strike issues in the series and a much tougher coin than many collectors realize.

Finding one with this much detail and this kind of original look is not something you trip over every day.

Especially raw.

Coin Details:

Year: 1888

Denomination: Three Cents

Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Weight: 1.94 grams

Diameter: 17.9 mm

Designer: James B. Longacre

Mint: Philadelphia

Mintage: 36,500

Condition:

In my opinion:

About Uncirculated (AU)

Strong portrait detail

Sharp coronet lettering

Strong wreath definition

Strong Roman numeral III

Clean rims

Original circulated surfaces

Better date issue

Please judge condition for yourself from the photos as grading is subjective.

This is a great piece for:

Type collectors

Three Cent Nickel specialists

Low-mintage United States coin collectors

Collectors who enjoy weird denominations that the Mint eventually realized were a terrible long-term idea

A denomination created for postage.

Killed by practicality.

Surviving today because collectors appreciate odd history.

From Full Circle Coins and Currency LLC

Check out our other listings for additional Three Cent Nickels, type coins, and tougher collector material. We often have related dates available separately if you’re building the set.

Coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

Ships securely and professionally packaged.