1885 Three-Cent Nickel : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

For the third yr in a row, the Philadelphia Mint struck extra Proof Three-Cent Nickels in 1885 than circulation strikes. After a million-coin mintage in 1881, new emissions of the outmoded oddball denomination have been pointless. A paltry mintage of 1,000 circulation strike 1885 Three-Cent Nickels appears even smaller if you calculate its complete face worth of $30.

From this authentic quantity, Stack’s Bowers cataloguers doubt that even 350 of the date survive in all grades, with greater than 50% in circulated situation. Checking this assertion towards present inhabitants knowledge, the main grading companies (CAC, NGC, and PCGS) report a complete of 176 grading occasions with 80 of those in Mint State. Stacks’ Bowers’ estimate checks out.

Whereas the Proof model is obtainable on the market with some frequency, the circulation strike requires extra endurance to amass. Certification is crucial as impaired Proofs could seem indistinguishable from enterprise strikes to the untrained eye.

* * *

Market Information and Noteworthy Specimens

The NGC MS66 inhabitants rose from two to 6 between 2023 and 2024.

High Inhabitants: PCGS MS67 (2, 2/2025), NGC MS66 (6, 2/2025), and CAC MS67 (1:1 stickered:graded, 2/2025).

• PCGS MS67 #21765648: “The Bruce Scher #1 All-Time PCGS Registry Set,” Heritage Auctions, February 24, 2005, Lot 4020 – $19,118.75. Bruce Scher on insert. Almost pristine surfaces. Sharply struck.
• PCGS MS66+ #25383974: Heritage Auctions, November 1, 2013, Lot 3526 – $21,150; Stack’s Bowers, August 2020, Lot 1169 – $17,000 Reserve Not Met.
• CACG MS66 #995952458: Dell Loy Hansen; DLRC, August 8, 2024, Lot 781236 – View.
• PCGS MS66 CAC #25605004: Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2016, Lot 4308 – $16,450. Streaky gold and peach firming. Darkish spot to the suitable of 5. On the reverse, there’s a darkish spot close to the denticles close to 3 o’clock.
• PCGS MS66 #25204287: Heritage Auctions, June 4, 2015, Lot 3805 – $16,450. Scattered recognizing within the higher obverse subject and over the hair and coronet. Diagonal streak throughout nostril and cheek. Effectively struck.
• NGC MS66 CAC #3058475-001: Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2012, Lot 3077 – $20,700; Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30132 – $22,325.
• PCGS MS66 CAC #5180369: Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2010, Lot 2452 – $29,900.
• PCGS MS66 #2857043: Heritage Auctions, March 28, 2009, Lot 433 – $18,975.
• PCGS MS66 #1137590: Heritage Auctions, September 22, 2005, Lot 1326 – $17,250. Rattler.
• PCGS MS66 #21948490: “The Western Hills Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2005, Lot 5385 – $16,100. Two darkish spots to the suitable of the date. Streak throughout the underside of UNI. On the reverse, darkish spot to the suitable of the III.
• PCGS MS66 #21685364: Heritage Auctions, Could 4, 2005, Lot 5770 – $16,100. Planchet void close to the denticles beneath second A of AMERICA. Small tick to the suitable of 5. Small planchet void within the hair higher proper above ear.
• NGC MS66: “The Richard C. Jewell Assortment,” American Numismatic Rarities, March 8, 2005, Lot 386 – $10,350.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

The obverse includes a left-facing head of Liberty. Liberty wears a pointed diadem inscribed with the phrase LIBERTY. Surrounding the top is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The date seems on the backside. The coin has a denticulated border and a raised rim.

Reverse:

A big Roman numeral III dominates the reverse of the design. A closed wreath surrounds this determine.

Edge:

The sting of the 1885 Three-Cent Nickel–like all Three-Cent Nickels–is apparent or easy, with out reeding or lettering.

Coin Specs

* * *