1889 3CN AU55 Certification #14298108, PCGS #3758

Charles Morgan

The End of an Era: The 1889 Three-Cent Nickel

The year 1889 marked the final production run for the Three-Cent Nickel. The demise of this "oddball" denomination had been a long time coming; the Philadelphia Mint last struck the coin in significant quantities in 1881. For the remainder of the decade, stagnant demand led the Mint to produce only token amounts—generally fewer than 5,000 business strikes per year. In fact, from 1883 to 1885, Proofs actually outnumbered business strikes, and in 1886, the Mint produced Proofs exclusively.

While the coin was originally issued to redeem Civil War-era “shinplasters” (fractional paper currency), Congress never granted the Three-Cent Piece unlimited legal tender status. Redemptions were capped at just 20 coins per transaction.

Debate over the coin’s limited utility persisted for years. In 1873, Congress abolished the nation’s first three-cent coin—the thin three-cent silver piece—but allowed the nickel version to continue. While this decision likely favored the interests of nickel magnate Joseph Wharton, it did little for American consumers or businesses. Though production ceased in 1889, the denomination was not officially abolished until September 26, 1890, when Congress eliminated it alongside the Gold Dollar and the Three-Dollar Gold Piece.

CHAP. 945.- An act to discontinue the coinage of the three-dollar and one-dollar gold pieces and three-cent nickel piece.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Reprsentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act the coinage of the three-dollar gold piece, the one-dollar gold piece, and the three-cent nickel piece be, and the same is hereby, prohibited, and the pieces named shall not be struck or issued by the Mint of the United States.

Sec. 2. That as fast as the said coins shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States they shall be withdrawn from circulation and be recoined into other denominations of coins.

Sec. 3. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.

Approved, September 26, 1890.

Collecting the 1889 Three Cent Nickel

While not a "key date," the 1889 Three-Cent Nickel (#3758) is considered a "better date" within the series. Typical uncirculated examples fall within the PCGS MS63 to MS64 range; superb gems remain scarce. Fortunately for modern specialists, a fair number of coins were preserved in high grades; our condition census consists entirely of MS67+ examples. Collectors today can choose between attractive specimens boasting delicate original toning and those retaining much of their full original brilliance.

Interestingly, the coining room seemingly ignored the fact that the reverse die was shattered early in production. This shattered-die feature serves as a fittingly eccentric characteristic for the final circulation issue of this curious denomination.

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