1861 Silver Three-Cent Piece. MS-66 (PCGS). CAC.
Exceptionally attractive satin surfaces are dressed in a bold array of steel-blue, charcoal-olive, salmon-pink and antique gold iridescence, all on a base of soft pewter-gray. In 1859 the third and final design modification of the tiny three-cent silver denomination was introduced when Chief Engraver James Longacre removed one of the border lines surrounding the large central star that had been added back in 1854. This seemed to improve the overall striking quality, though many of the earlier technical issues, such as clash marks and die striations, would occasionally rear their heads. In 1861, some 497,000 silver three-cent pieces were struck for circulation, the largest mintage of all Type III issues. By this time, the discontent between the North and the South had erupted into open hostility and civil war. Once the war intensified, coins of all types were driven from circulation in the East and Midwest and soon paper currency would dominate the economy. In the North, the introduction of a three-cent fractional note in 1863 and the three-cent nickel coin in 1865 effectively made the silver three-cent coin superfluous. After 1862, production figures dropped precipitously and finally in 1873, the denomination was discontinued after a final issue of Proof specimens. Unlike some of the earlier issues, the 1861 trime is generally well struck with overall excellent lustrous surfaces and lower end Gem examples may be secured with only a modicum of effort. The present specimen is a premium MS-66, conditionally scarce as such, and with such outstanding toning it ranks as one of the finest available at this impressive grade level. Worthy of the strongest bids.
PCGS# 3679. NGC ID: 22ZA.

Estimate: $2000