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1853
| Weight | 0.8 g |
| Diameter | 14 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 11,400,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 75% Silver, 25% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-879 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
Mint records show 11.4 million trimes struck in 1853, continuing the high production levels of the early Type I years. The coin was at the peak of its commercial usefulness. The three-cent postage stamp had become the standard rate for first-class letters under half an ounce, and the trime was the natural coin for paying that postage. Every letter sent meant potential demand for a three-cent silver.
The 1853 is the final year of the Type I design. In 1854, the Mint would modify the obverse (adding outlines around the star) and the reverse (adding an olive branch and arrows), transitioning to Type II. The 1853 is therefore the last coin of the original Longacre design and is collected as such by type specialists.
With the high mintage, the 1853 is readily available across grade levels. Type collectors pursuing a single Type I trime often choose the 1853 as their representative piece, though the 1851 and 1852 are equally viable choices at similar prices.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $35 | $41 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $40 | $47 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $48 | $56 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $61 | $70 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $81 | $93 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $135 | $156 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $189 | $220 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $345 | $365 |
How much is a 1853 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) worth?
How many 1853 Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) were minted?
What is a 1853 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) made of?
What is the melt value of a 1853 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes)?
Is the 1853 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) a key date?
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