Numismatic

1858 Three Cent Silver VF

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In the mid-nineteenth century, the United States minted one of its smallest and most distinctive silver coins. The 1858 three-cent silver piece stands out for its unique denomination and incredibly delicate proportions, containing just 0.0193 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. This particular specimen survives in Very Fine condition, showing clear details of its intricate engraving despite decades of circulation. The obverse of the coin features a prominent six-pointed star, at the center of which sits a finely detailed shield. The year 1858 is struck clearly below this central design. On the reverse, the coin displays a large Roman numeral III, which clearly denotes its three-cent face value, nestled within an ornamental frame. Designed by James Longacre, this tiny coin was minted in Philadelphia, which produced 1,604,000 of these pieces during that year.