In the extravagant world of coin and banknote collecting in the United States, one piece has captivated numismatics enthusiasts.
It is the 3-cent coin, a specimen dating from 1872 which, according to experts, could be auctioned for around £57,000. Numismatics: which 3-cent coin is worth more than £57,000?
When it comes to coins coveted by numismatics experts, one of the most sought-after is the 1872 3-cent coin, popularly known as the “Three Cent Silver” or “Trime”. These coins began to be manufactured in 1851 to facilitate change in a monetary system where foreign coins were widely used.
The Three Cent Silver was a smaller and lighter coin than the rest. It was designed by James Barton Longacre and was the first coin not to feature the face of Liberty. They were made from a low-purity silver alloy, weighed only 0.75 grams and had a diameter of 14.3 millimetres.
On the obverse of this 3-cent coin was a six-pointed star with the coat of arms of the United States inside. The legend ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’ surrounded the figure, and below it was the year of minting (in this case, 1872).
On the reverse side, the collector’s item featured the letter C with the Roman numeral III inside it and an olive branch, indicating its value. It also featured 13 stars representing the first states of North America.
According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), a coin of this type was auctioned on 23 February 2021 and sold for £57,600, although its suggested price was £75,000.
Depending on the condition of the piece, the value may change, according to the source cited. In principle, you can check the colour of the coin and see if it retains its manufacturing qualities: if it has a bright tone with golden or bluish hues, it will be an almost intact specimen. To find out exactly how much you can sell it for, it is recommended that you contact a specialist numismatic service.
