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1884 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,942
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-985

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About this coinHistory

Approximately 3,942 proof three-cent nickels were struck in 1884, more than twice the 1,700-coin circulation strike mintage. The proof is the practical way for most collectors to acquire an 1884 three-cent nickel, with the circulation strike being almost unobtainable. The 1884 is one of the few years in United States coinage history where the proof mintage exceeds the circulation strike output for a regular-issue coin, a statistical inversion that underscores how completely the denomination had abandoned commercial production. Careful attribution matters for this date because proofs occasionally surface in the market marketed as business strikes, and the price differential is substantial.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1884 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
3,942 were struck.
What is a 1884 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1884 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 1884 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1884 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.