1862 3 Cents

 

SKU: 2000226005

 

A scarce Civil War–era 3 Cents merchant scrip from Cooperstown, New York, issued in 1862 by H.S. Babcock and certified by PMG as Fine 15. Struck by a national coin shortage during the war, local merchants and businesses filled the gap with fractional paper scrip like this, making low denominations especially elusive today. This example is reported as Finest Known on the PMG Population Report at the time of cataloging—an exceptional opportunity for specialists in obsolete U.S. currency and an accessible, historically rich piece for broader Americana and New York collectors.

Key features

• Issuer and locale: H.S. Babcock, Cooperstown, New York (U.S.)
• Denomination and type: 3 Cents merchant scrip (Civil War obsolete currency)
• Date: 1862
• Certification: PMG
• Grade: Fine 15 (F15), encapsulated in a PMG holder
• Scarcity: Finest Known on the PMG census as last reviewed, underscoring premium collectability
• Historical appeal: Produced to alleviate small-change shortages during the Civil War; a classic fractional denomination prized for type sets
• Regional interest: Cooperstown—now synonymous with American baseball heritage—adds crossover appeal to local history collectors

Why collectors want it

• Condition and census: PMG-graded Fine 15 with a Finest Known designation makes this example a standout in a notoriously challenging denomination and issuer.
• Type significance: Private-issue 3-cent scrip bridges U.S. numismatics and local history, complementing collections of obsolete banknotes, merchant scrip, and Civil War currency.
• Display-ready: Professionally authenticated and preserved in a PMG holder for long-term stability and easy presentation.

Specifications

• Country: United States
• City/Issuer: Cooperstown, New York / H.S. Babcock
• Type: Obsolete merchant scrip (fractional)
• Denomination: 3 Cents
• Date: 1862
• Certification: PMG
Fine 15 (F15)

Collect with confidence

Authenticity is PMG-certified and encapsulated. Ideal for advanced obsolete currency specialists seeking census-topping examples and for collectors building a Civil War fractional or New York merchant-issue type set.

Act quickly—Finest Known examples of niche Civil War scrip seldom come to market, and this PMG F15 Cooperstown 3 Cents will be difficult to improve upon.

 

Denomination	3 Cents
Grading Service	PMG
Grade	F15
Designation	N/A
Year	1862
Population
Signatures	Small note, Spread Eagle (top)
Note Series	1862