1870 3CN (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3736

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 1.94 grams

Mintage:: 1,335,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $6,900 • MS67 • 06-02-2005 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

1870 3CN

Die Varieties

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	8,000	R-3.4	18 / 23	18 / 23
60 or Better	750	R-5.5	16 / 23 TIE	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	200	R-7.0	15 / 23 TIE	15 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	8,000
60 or Better	750
65 or Better	200

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.4
60 or Better	R-5.5
65 or Better	R-7.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	18 / 23
60 or Better	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	15 / 23 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	18 / 23
60 or Better	16 / 23 TIE
65 or Better	15 / 23 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1870 Three-Cent Nickel mimics the 1869, as both have similar mintages and nearly identical populations and grade distributions among the coins graded by PCGS. The most frequently-seen grade is MS-64, just slightly ahead of MS-63. The finest examples are fifteen at the MS66 level.

Clashmarks are less frequent on this date than they are on the 1869, but the strike is equally as nice. Collectors should attempt to find examples that show as many of the vertical lines as possible on the reverse.