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1885 Proof

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Nickels · 1865–1889
Key date Proof
Weight1.94 g
Diameter17.9 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,790
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-987

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia struck approximately 3,790 proof three-cent nickels in 1885, nearly four times the 1,000-coin circulation strike mintage. Like the 1884 proof, the 1885 proof is the more accessible form of a key-date year, with the circulation strike being extraordinarily rare. For collectors completing a proof three-cent nickel set, the 1885 is a scarce but achievable acquisition. The statistical inversion that began in 1883 (proofs outnumbering circulation strikes) continued through 1885 and would become total in 1886, when no circulation strikes were produced at all.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1885 Proof Three-Cent Nickels were minted?
3,790 were struck.
What is a 1885 Proof Three-Cent Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 1.94 g.
What is the melt value of a 1885 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 1885 Proof Three-Cent Nickel a key date?
Yes — the 1885 Proof Three-Cent Nickel is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Nickels series and commands a strong premium.