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1879 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,200
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-974

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About this coinHistory

Proof production for 1879 jumped to approximately 3,200 coins, a substantial increase over earlier years. The proof is collected alongside the low-mintage circulation strike of the same year. At roughly 78 times the circulation strike output of 41,200 coins, the proof is significantly more available than the business strike and is the form most collectors acquire to represent the year. Edison's first successful electric lamp test came that October, a few weeks after the Treasury's formal return to the gold standard on January 1.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1879 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
3,200 were struck.
What is a 1879 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1879 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 1879 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1879 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.