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1876 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 1,150
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-971

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About this coinHistory

Proof production jumped to approximately 1,150 coins in 1876, a higher figure than most years of the decade. The increase likely reflected centennial-year collector interest, with the Centennial Exposition drawing nearly ten million visitors to Philadelphia and the country paying heightened attention to its own history and artifacts. Coin collectors visiting the Mint during the exposition could pick up a current-year proof set while they were in town. The 1876 proof is more widely available than most other dates of the 1870s.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1876 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
1,150 were struck.
What is a 1876 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1876 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 1876 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1876 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.