Three-cent piece

Three-cent silver piece
United States
Value0.03 US dollars
Mass(1851–53) 0.8 g (12.3 gr)
(1854–73) 0.75 g (11.6 gr)
Diameter14 mm (0.55 in)
Thickness0.6 mm (0.024 in)
Edgeplain
Composition
  • (1851–53) 75% Ag, 25% Cu
  • (1854–73) 90% Ag, 10% Cu
Years of minting1851–1873
Obverse
Designshield on six-pointed star
DesignerJames Barton Longacre
Design date1851
Reverse
DesignRoman numeral III
DesignerJames Barton Longacre
Design date1851
Three-cent nickel
United States
Value0.03 US dollars
Mass1.94 g (29.9 gr)
Diameter17.9 mm (0.70 in)
Edgeplain
Composition75% Cu, 25% Ni
Years of minting1865–1889
Obverse
DesignLiberty Head
DesignerJames Barton Longacre
Design date1865
Reverse
DesignRoman numeral III
DesignerJames Barton Longacre
Design date1865

The United States three cent piece was a unit of currency equaling 3100 of a United States dollar. The mint produced two different three-cent coins for circulation: the three-cent silver and the three-cent nickel. Additionally, a three-cent bronze coin was made as a pattern in 1863. During the period from 1865 to 1873, both coins were minted, albeit in very small quantities for the silver three-cent piece.