SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE 1854-1858, Three Outlines to Start

Description

Realizing this coin was unpopular because of its very small size, production numbers were cut dramatically from the prior series. In an effort to facilitate the striking up of design details, the obverse motif of the silver three-cent piece was modified in 1854 by the addition of three outlines to the star. The result was just the opposite of that intended, and pieces of the 1854-1858 years were more difficult to produce than ever. Examples seen today nearly always are weakly struck around the borders and in certain other areas as well. Indeed, the 1854-1858 silver three-cent piece is the most poorly struck of any design type of the mid 19th century.

There will be no difficulty acquiring an example of this issue in any grade desired from Good through Extremely Fine. AU coins are scarce, and Uncirculated pieces are rare. Superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare. Sharply struck coins are seldom met with. The year 1855 is considered to be the scarcest in the range and, curiously, of the five dates of this type, the 1855 are the single date that is occasionally, very occasionally, seen with some semblance of sharp striking.

Valuation

For all practical purposes, the numismatist should be satisfied with an example that shows some lightness of impression, particularly around the borders.

COIN NAME
SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE 1854-1858, Three Outlines to Start: DESIGNED BY
James Barton Longacre: ISSUE DATE
1854-1858: COMPOSITION
0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper: DIAMETER
14 mm: WEIGHT
11.57 grains (.75 gram): EDGE
Plain: BUS MINT
4,914,000: PROOF MINT
Fewer than 300

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