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1875

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Regular
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 228,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-968

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About this coinHistory

228,000 coins: the 1875 mintage dropped to one of the lowest figures in the series to that point. The depression that had begun with the Panic of 1873 was still squeezing activity, and the Mint was producing the denomination in only token quantities. In January, Congress passed the Resumption Act, committing the Treasury to returning the country to the gold standard on January 1, 1879. The prospect of hard-money resumption did nothing to increase demand for minor coinage in 1875. The three-cent nickel was scarcer that year than in any of the surrounding dates and commands a modest premium across most grades.

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) $33 $38
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $45 $52
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $65 $75
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $162 $187
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1875 Three-Cent Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $17–$19.50, rising to roughly $162–$187 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1875 Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
228,000 were struck.
What is a 1875 Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1875 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 1875 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.