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1869 9 Over 8

Two & Three Cents · Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) · 1851–1873
Variety
Weight0.75 g
Diameter14 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,500 Combined mintage for all 1869 varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-941

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About this coinHistory

The 1869 9 Over 8 overdate three-cent silver shows a 9 punched over an 8 in the final digit of the date. The Mint reused an 1868 die, updating the date by overpunching the new numeral. The variety is visible under magnification, with traces of the underlying 8 appearing beneath the 9. On a coin this small, the overdate requires close examination to confirm.

Overdates on trimes are rare because the small coin size and minuscule production runs of the late 1860s meant few dies were used and few repurposing opportunities arose. The 1869 9 Over 8 is one of the few documented overdates in the series and is collected as a distinct variety from the standard 1869 production.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF)
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF)
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1869 9 Over 8 Three-Cent Silvers (Trimes) were minted?
4,500 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1869 varieties).
What is a 1869 9 Over 8 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) made of?
90% Silver, 10% Copper, weighing 0.75 g.
What is the melt value of a 1869 9 Over 8 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 1869 9 Over 8 Three-Cent Silver (Trimes) a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.