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1866

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) · 1851–1873
Key date
Weight0.75 g
Diameter14 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 22,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-921

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About this coinHistory

Mintage climbed modestly to 22,000 coins in 1866, a small increase over 1865 but still a tiny figure. The three-cent nickel was now established and dominating the denomination, and the silver version was continuing mainly as a legacy issue. Reconstruction had begun under President Andrew Johnson, and Congress was debating the Fourteenth Amendment (which it would propose to the states in June 1866) to address citizenship rights for freed slaves. The key-date status applies across all circulation-strike trimes from 1863 onward, reflecting the uniformly low production of the series' final decade.

Surviving 1866 trimes are scarce. The grade distribution follows the pattern of the Civil War and post-war trimes: mostly lower circulated pieces, with Fine and above requiring searching, and Uncirculated pieces being rare.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $415 $480
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $435 $500
F-12 Fine (F) $470 $540
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $535 $620
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $650 $750
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $875 $1,010
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $1,290 $1,490
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $2,125 $2,250
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1866 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) worth?
In Good condition it runs about $415–$480, rising to roughly $1,290–$1,490 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1866 Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) were minted?
22,000 were struck.
What is a 1866 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) made of?
90% Silver, 10% Copper, weighing 0.75 g.
What is the melt value of a 1866 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes)?
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 1866 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) a key date?
Yes — the 1866 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) is considered a key date in the Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) series and commands a strong premium.