Numismatic

1868 3 Cent Nickel Fine

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In the years following the American Civil War, the United States Mint produced a distinctive minor coin made of a copper and nickel alloy. This 1868 three-cent piece, preserved in Fine condition, offers a window into a period when the nation was reshaping its daily currency. Strikingly different from the silver coins of the era, this base-metal issue helped resolve a critical shortage of small change in everyday commerce. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty. Her hair is styled neatly, secured by a coronet that bears her name, LIBERTY. This depiction, created by engraver James Longacre, is framed by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the rim, with the year 1868 positioned directly beneath the bust. On the reverse, the coin features a minimalist yet elegant design. The denomination is represented by the Roman numeral III, which sits prominently in the center. A stylized wreath of laurel leaves wraps around the numeral, symbolizing victory and honor. This particular specimen was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not utilize a mint mark for its coinage during this era.