THREE CENTS - SILVER OR TRIME (1851-1873)
FACTS:
3 Cent Silver Facts:
This tiny silver coin is also known as a "Trime" or a "Fish-scale". The odd denomination is tied to the Postal rates at the time, which were also the justification for the Gold Three-Dollar Coin. Beginning in 1865, this type overlapped with the Nickel Three Cent Coins and the production of the Trimes decreased gradually until the type was ended in 1873.
Three sub-types exist of the silver Three Cents. Type 1, issued from 1851 to 1853, shows the obverse star with a single outline. After 1853 two extra outlines were added to the star to signify a reduction in weight, resulting in the Type 2 version that lasted until 1858. In 1859, one of the extra outlines was dropped, creating the third and final sub-type, the Type 3 version.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Diameter: 14.3 millimeters
Metal content:
Silver - 75%
Copper - 25%
Weight: 12.4 grains (0.8 grams)
Edge: Plain
Images courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.
Images courtesy of Early American History Auctions
Cherry Picker's List:
1851 The second 1 over an inverted 2
1862 Rare date
1862/1 Over date
1863/2 Over Date
1869/8 Over Date
Key-Semi Key Dates:
1851-O
1855
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
Ads by Ebay
Send emails to help@coinauctionshelp.com
CoinHELP! Mobile Now you can access coin information on the go with our coin collectors app! Click Here or visit the Android Market and search the apps for US Coin Identifier. Iphone version coming soon!