Series: Star Three Cent Silvers 1851-1873
| #1 PR66DCAM estimated grade |
With the Civil War raging and a divided country facing an escalating economic catastrophe, the Philadelphia Mint was unable to produce enough coins for circulation. Furthermore, American businesses showed no interest in parting with the gold and silver stockpiles they had managed to acquire. Nevertheless, the Mint’s presses continued to churn out annual business strikes as well as Proof versions for collectors. The entire 460-coin mintage of the 1863 Three-Cent Silver Proof (PCGS #37123) was produced over just three days; the final emission of 200 coins was completed a mere month before the decisive Confederate defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg.
| 1863 Three-Cent Silver Proof Production | |||
| March 5, 1863 | 160 struck | March 6, 1863 | 160 struck |
| May 26, 1863 | 200 struck | Total: 460 Proof coins | |
The issue features a popular overdate, the 1863/2, (#3713) in which traces of the underlying 2 are visible within the lower opening of the 3. Approximately 20% of the mintage was struck with this overdate.
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