1866 3CN, DCAM PR67DCAM Certification #31090757, PCGS #93762
Owner's Comments
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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Condition Census Learn More
#1 PCGS PR67+DCAM
Legend Rare Coin Auctions, January 26, 2017, Lot 120 – $17,037.50; Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Three Cent Complete (1851-1889) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). A thin lint mark appears to the right of Liberty's head, with another smaller mark located below the uppermost leaves on the left side of the wreath. |
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#2 PCGS PR67DCAM
Stack’s Bowers, March 13, 2013, Lot 2017 – $17,625; Heritage, January 10, 2024, Lot 3223 – $6,600; Stack’s Bowers, March 26, 2024, Lot 4043 – $9,000; "The BarrowTH Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). JD-1. Wispy gold toning throughout. Curved lintmark to the left of Liberty's face. |
#2 PCGS PR67DCAM
As PCGS PR67DCAM #16545203. "The David Poole Collection of Three Cent Nickels," Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 17, 2018, Lot 388 – $8,812.50. As PCGS PR67DCAM #38026717. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, January 30, 2020, Lot 102 – $17,625; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, April 21, 2021, Lot 252 – $17,625; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, January 27, 2022, Lot 24 – $13,512.50; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 25, 2023, Lot 65 – $12,337.50. JD-1. Golden toning throughout. Light toning spot above Liberty's head to the left of OF. Diagonal streaks of goldenrod across the wreath and lower portions of III. |
#2 PCGS PR67DCAM
Legend Rare Coin Auctions, October 2017, Lot 117 - $12,337.50; “The Warren Collection,” Heritage Auctions, May 5, 2022, Lot 3885 – $6,600. Rose peach toning with wispy hints of lilac and aubergine. |
#2 PCGS PR67DCAM
Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 29, 2016, Lot 188 – $21,737.50. Tiny tick on the edge of Liberty's neck. Small lintmark to the left of OF. |