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.

1880 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,955
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-977

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

Philadelphia struck approximately 3,955 proof three-cent nickels in 1880, a strikingly high figure next to the 21,000-coin circulation mintage. The proof is the more available form of the key-date 1880, though both are pursued by collectors. Anyone hunting the 1880 in any form will likely find the proof first, since circulation strikes rarely appear outside advanced collections.

The relative availability of the 1880 proof does not diminish its desirability. Longacre's design appears at its sharpest in proof format, and a collector who cannot afford or locate the circulation strike can acquire the proof as an alternative representation of the key date.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1880 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
3,955 were struck.
What is a 1880 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1880 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 1880 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1880 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.