1863 3CS (Proof)

Series: Star Three Cent Silvers 1851-1873

PCGS PR67+

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PCGS PR67

PCGS PR66+

PCGS #:: 3712

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 14.30 millimeters

Weight:: 0.75 grams

Mintage:: 460

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $11,750 • PR68 • 06-23-2014 • Heritage Auctions

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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	375	R-6.2	4 / 17 TIE	10 / 24 TIE
60 or Better	350	R-6.3	3 / 17 TIE	9 / 24 TIE
65 or Better	80	R-8.2	7 / 17	13 / 24

Survival Estimate
All Grades	375
60 or Better	350
65 or Better	80

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-6.3
65 or Better	R-8.2

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	4 / 17 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 17 TIE
65 or Better	7 / 17

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	10 / 24 TIE
60 or Better	9 / 24 TIE
65 or Better	13 / 24

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS PR67+
2	PCGS PR67	Heritage Auctions, October 9, 2022, Lot 3575 - $7,200; Heritage Auctions, April 3, 2023, Lot 50024 - $7,200. Vivid target toning featuring gold and russet centers with aqua-blue and green hues along the periphery.
3	PCGS PR66+	Heritage Auctions, December 3, 2015, Lot 3039 - $3,760. Toned with gold and green centers and russet toning along the periphery.
3	PCGS PR66+
3	PCGS PR66+	NGC PF66* #3313795-008. "The MJT Collection," Heritage Auctions, July 7, 2011, Lot 3234 - $3,220. Antique toning with gold/green centers and near terminal toning along the periphery.
3	PCGS PR66+	As NGC PF66 #4251067-002. "The Rev. Dr. James G.K. McClure Collection," Heritage Auctions, June 8, 2016, Lot 3239 - $4,700. As PCGS PR66+ #34623077. Stack's Bowers, April 3, 2024, Lot 5129 - $7,200. Antique silver and olive toning.

#1 PCGS PR67+

#2 PCGS PR67

Heritage Auctions, October 9, 2022, Lot 3575 - $7,200; Heritage Auctions, April 3, 2023, Lot 50024 - $7,200. Vivid target toning featuring gold and russet centers with aqua-blue and green hues along the periphery.

#3 PCGS PR66+

Heritage Auctions, December 3, 2015, Lot 3039 - $3,760. Toned with gold and green centers and russet toning along the periphery.

#3 PCGS PR66+

NGC PF66* #3313795-008. "The MJT Collection," Heritage Auctions, July 7, 2011, Lot 3234 - $3,220. Antique toning with gold/green centers and near terminal toning along the periphery.

#3 PCGS PR66+

As NGC PF66 #4251067-002. "The Rev. Dr. James G.K. McClure Collection," Heritage Auctions, June 8, 2016, Lot 3239 - $4,700. As PCGS PR66+ #34623077. Stack's Bowers, April 3, 2024, Lot 5129 - $7,200. Antique silver and olive toning.

Charles Morgan:

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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