Numismatic

1858 Three Cent Silver XF

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In the middle of the nineteenth century, the United States Mint produced one of its smallest and most distinctive denominations: the silver three-cent piece. This 1858 issue, preserved in Extra Fine condition, showcases a remarkably detailed design despite its diminutive size. Struck in 90 percent silver, this tiny coin contains approximately 0.0193 troy ounces of precious metal (with a total weight equivalent to 0.0217 ounces of silver content). The obverse of the coin features a striking six-pointed star, at the center of which rests a detailed shield. On the reverse side, the design transitions to a classic Roman numeral III, representing the coin's three-cent face value, which is framed by an elegant ornamental C-shaped design. Designed by James Longacre, this specific issue from 1858 had a total mintage of 1,604,000 pieces struck at the Philadelphia Mint.