|
Authorized by Congress in 1851, the silver three cent coin is the smallest U.S. coin ever produced. From 1851 -
to 1853, it weighed .80 grams and was 75% silver, 25% copper. Starting in 1854, variety 2 and 3 weigh .75 grams
and contain 90% silver, 10% copper. There are three varieties; Variety 1 1851-1854, Variety 2 1854-1858, and Variety
3 1859-1873. The varieties are due to small changes in the design. Nearly the entire production of non-Proof
coins from 1863-1872 was melted in 1873.
|
|
|
- Minted from 1851 to 1873
- Variety 1: 1851-1854, Has no lines bordering the six point star
- Variety 2: 1854-1858, Has three lines bordering the six point star
- Variety 3: 1859-1873, Has two lines bordering the six point star
- Designed by James Longacre
- 1863/2 and 1873 available only as Proofs
|