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1871

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Regular
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 604,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-949

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About this coinHistory

604,000 coins: the 1871 mintage was a noticeable step down from the previous year. The October fire that burned through Chicago destroyed some 17,000 buildings, killed roughly 300 people, and left nearly a third of the city homeless. Relief funds poured in from across the country and from Europe. Small-change transactions in the thousand temporary shelters that sprang up around the ruined city would have included three-cent nickels from earlier mintages as well as the fresh 1871 coins just entering circulation. The lower mintage gives the date slight additional interest compared to the higher-production years, though it is not classified as a semi-key.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $17 $19.50
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $21 $24
F-12 Fine (F) $25 $29
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $28 $32
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $40 $46
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $53 $61
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $135 $155
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1871 Three-Cent Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $17–$19.50, rising to roughly $135–$155 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1871 Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
604,000 were struck.
What is a 1871 Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1871 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 1871 Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.