Get a 5-coin set of historic nickel 3¢ pieces, minted from 1865-1870! Struck in the same composition as 5¢ nickels, these coins were authorized during the final year of the Civil War on March 3, 1865 – when nickel 3¢ pieces were proposed, debated, passed by Congress, and signed into law by President Lincoln all in a single day.
Coin hoarding and a severe shortage during the Civil War had forced the U.S. government to issue fractional currency in denominations from 3¢ (the first-class postal rate) to 50¢. But these small notes became ragged and dirty, wore out quickly, and were easily lost. Nickel 3¢ pieces were rushed into production to replace the 3¢ notes, and from 1865-1876, more than 17 million fractional notes were redeemed for the 3¢ coins.
The short-lived nickel 3¢ pieces of 1865-1889 were all struck at the Philadelphia Mint. You’ll receive the first four years of the series, 1865-1868, plus the 1870 issue. Although these coins do not meet industry grading standards, they offer an affordable way to add this Civil War-era set to your collection!
- Product Type: Sets
- Year: Mixed Years