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1882

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Regular
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 22,200
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-980
Last edited

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Varieties & References

No additional varieties recorded for this strike.

External references

About this coinHistory

Mintage for 1882 collapsed back to 25,300 coins after the one-year surge of 1881. The brief commercial demand that had driven 1881 production was gone, and the Mint resumed its pattern of striking only a token number of three-cent nickels for circulation. The 1882 is scarce without being a true key, and it fits cleanly into the downward trajectory that defined the denomination's last decade. Surviving pieces are found most often in mid-circulated grades.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $106 $122
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $126 $146
F-12 Fine (F) $155 $179
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $183 $210
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $205 $235
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $245 $280
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $360 $415
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) — —
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1882 Three-Cent Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $106–$122, rising to roughly $360–$415 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1882 Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
22,200 were struck.
What is a 1882 Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1882 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 1882 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.