1873 3CN Open 3 MS63 Certification #47322487, PCGS #3740

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The first Three-Cent Nickels of 1873 utilized the same-sized date logotypes as in previous years. Unfortunately, the small date and the shape of the 3 made it appear, at a quick glance, to be an 8 . Mint officials noticed this discrepancy and changed the shape of the 3 by opening the loops so that it no longer looked like an 8. By doing so, they created two varieties for the year.

According to the PCGS Population Report, the certified population of the Open 3 variety is just over half that of the Closed 3, which is in line with their original mintages. Despite this difference, most price guides value them equally.

The finest examples certified by PCGS include over two dozen MS65's, with none finer.

PCGS #

3740

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Diameter

17.90 millimeters

Weight

1.94 grams

Mintage

1173000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

100

Pop Lower

128

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	1500	R-4.8	9 / 23 TIE	9 / 23 TIE
All Grades	125	R-7.7	3 / 23 TIE	3 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	30	R-8.9	3 / 23	3 / 23

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	1500
All Grades	125
60 or Better	30

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-4.8
All Grades	R-7.7
60 or Better	R-8.9

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	9 / 23 TIE
All Grades	3 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 23

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	9 / 23 TIE
All Grades	3 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 23

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Tompet38 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Tompet38 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS66 PCGS grade