Have a photo? Submit it and we'll credit you.

As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.

1866 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 725
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-917

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

Mint records show approximately 725 proof three-cent nickels for 1866, a step up from the 500-piece debut of the previous year as the collector market continued to expand. The 1866 proof is more available than the first-year 1865 proof and is a standard entry in complete proof sets of the denomination. 1866 was also the year the Shield nickel joined the three-cent nickel as a second copper-nickel denomination, and early collectors who wanted a matched pair of proofs in the new alloy could now acquire both.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
725 were struck.
What is a 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1866 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.