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1881 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,575
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-978

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About this coinHistory

Mint records show approximately 3,575 proof three-cent nickels for 1881. The proof is collected within the annual sequence. 1881 had one of the higher circulation strike mintages of the 1880s at 1.08 million coins, so the proof is priced similarly to routine proofs rather than carrying key-date premiums. Subscribers received their sets during the year President Garfield was shot at a Washington railway station and lingered through the summer before dying in September.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1881 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
3,575 were struck.
What is a 1881 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1881 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 1881 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1881 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.