1885 3CN Three Cent Nickel PCGS MS64 (CAC)

This example is simply a 'must-have' coin for the specialist in Three Cent Nickels. Longacre's iconic Liberty graces the obverse of this dramatic specimen. With its mintage of 1,000 pieces, it is a great rarity. PCGS has graded 16 as MS64 with 33 finer. In CAC, there are just 2 in MS64 with 12 finer.

Original sketch by James B. Longacre of his iconic Liberty design.

Ron Guth writes on PCGS Coinfacts, "The 1885 Three-Cent Nickel has the lowest mintage of any date in the series. Because of this, prices for high-end examples are what I like to call 'insane.' As a result, the occasional Proof is offered as Mint State, so authentication (preferably certification) is mandatory. Though this date is not as rare as the 1884, it is definitely the most popular in the series."