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Lot 56

1865 Three Cent Nickel

This auction ended on August 26, 2026. See upcoming auctions from BIGBIDNOW.
Lot number56
AuctionVARIETY COIN AUCTION – 8/26/26
DateAugust 26, 2026 at 8:05 pm CT
Auction houseBIGBIDNOW
LocationColumbia, Missouri

Description

1865 Three-Cent Nickel, struck at the Philadelphia Mint. This early U.S. nickel coin is from the first year of the Three-Cent Nickel series and was introduced during the Civil War era. Please review the photos for the exact condition, surfaces, strike, and overall appearance.

The Three-Cent Nickel was introduced in 1865 as a response to the widespread shortage of small-denomination coins during the Civil War. It was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, making it distinct from the earlier silver Three-Cent pieces.

The 1865 Three-Cent Nickel had a mintage of 11,382,000 coins. The obverse features a Liberty head, while the reverse displays the Roman numeral “III” surrounded by a wreath. Philadelphia Mint examples carry no mint mark.