1866 3CN PR61 Certification #45979585, PCGS #3762

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

1866 Three-Cent Nickel Proof: Mintage and Varieties

According to the standard references, the Philadelphia Mint struck a minimum of 725 1866 Three-Cent Nickel Proofs (#3762, CAM #83762, DCAM #93762). However, in United States Proof Coins: Volume II: Nickel (2023), numismatist John Dannreuther estimates a slightly higher issue of 800 pieces.

The production involved one obverse die and two reverse dies. The predominant die pair is JD-1, which Dannreuther estimates was used for 85% of the 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickel production. Allan Gifford, in The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Three Cent Nickels: 1865 to 1889 (2003) writes that the reverse is rotated 4% clockwise.

The JD-2 pair, discovered by Gary Rosner, is notable for its full detail and the presence of distinct die chips in the left-side denticles.

Collecting the 1866 Three-Cent Nickel Proof.

While some researchers estimate the actual mintage could range as high as 800 to 1,200 pieces, the PCGS Population Report provides a clear look at the number and grade distribution of surviving specimens in our holders. Using the 725 mintage figure as a baseline, 44.3% of the mintage has been PCGS certified. Of those, 30% grade at Proof 64 and 36% at Proof 65. The issue becomes conditionally scarce in grades finer than Proof 66.

The breakdown of contrast designations is equally compelling:

Brilliant vs. Cameo: Non-Cameo (Brilliant) pieces outnumber Cameos 1.34 to 1.
Deep Cameo: These remain elusive, with fewer than 10% of all graded coins earning the DCAM designation.

Vintage Market Snippet

In the March 1965 issue of The Numismatist, dealer Donald E. Brigandi offered "gem Proof" examples of the 1866 Three-Cent Nickel for just $195 each.

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PCGS #

3762

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Diameter

17.90 millimeters

Weight

1.94 grams

Mintage

725

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

240

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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.
65 or Better	650	R-5.7	7 / 26 TIE	7 / 26 TIE
All Grades	640	R-5.7	8 / 26	8 / 26
60 or Better	175	R-7.2	2 / 26 TIE	2 / 26 TIE

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.
65 or Better	650
All Grades	640
60 or Better	175

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.
65 or Better	R-5.7
All Grades	R-5.7
60 or Better	R-7.2

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.
65 or Better	7 / 26 TIE
All Grades	8 / 26
60 or Better	2 / 26 TIE

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.
65 or Better	7 / 26 TIE
All Grades	8 / 26
60 or Better	2 / 26 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS PR67		Stack's Bowers, August 20, 2019, Lot 5124 - $4,080. Gold and green toning washes over the obverse. Gold toning spot below second A of AMERICA. Reverse carries over the same colors but adds rose color at the center.
1	PCGS PR67		"The 70shark Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Richly toned on both sides. The obverse is dominated by vibrant rose, magenta, and green hues, with a single toning spot noted at the denticles above the second 'A' in AMERICA. The reverse displays a subtle crescent toning pattern, featuring green across the upper portion that blends into gold, orange, and rose tones below.

#1 PCGS PR67

Stack's Bowers, August 20, 2019, Lot 5124 - $4,080. Gold and green toning washes over the obverse. Gold toning spot below second A of AMERICA. Reverse carries over the same colors but adds rose color at the center.

#1 PCGS PR67

"The 70shark Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Richly toned on both sides. The obverse is dominated by vibrant rose, magenta, and green hues, with a single toning spot noted at the denticles above the second 'A' in AMERICA. The reverse displays a subtle crescent toning pattern, featuring green across the upper portion that blends into gold, orange, and rose tones below.