Numismatic

1860 Three Cent Silver VF

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In the decade leading up to the American Civil War, the United States Mint produced an unusual denomination that remains a fascinating curiosity for coin enthusiasts today: the silver three-cent piece. Minted in Philadelphia during the year 1860, this incredibly small coin is composed of 75 percent silver and 25 percent copper, containing just 0.0193 troy ounces of precious metal. The obverse of this tiny coin features a prominent six-pointed star, with a small shield positioned directly at its center. Encircling this central motif is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, alongside the clear date of 1860. The design was created by James Longacre, who balanced the intricate details to fit a remarkably small canvas. On the reverse, the coin displays a stylized Roman numeral III, representing its three-cent face value. This numeral is nestled within an ornamental C-shaped device, creating a clean and distinctive look. Surviving in Very Fine condition, this specific coin offers a tangible look at pre-1933 American coinage from a total original mintage of 5,447,400 pieces.