This smallest of United States silver coins, called the trime by the Treasury
Department, was authorized by Congress March 3, 1851. The first three-cent
silver pieces had no lines bordering the six-pointed star. From 1854 through
1858 there were two lines, while issues of the final 15 years show only one
line. Issues from 1854 through 1873 have an olive sprig over the III and a
bundle of three arrows beneath. Nearly the entire production of non-Proof
coins from 1863 to 1872 was melted in 1873.
MINTAGE: 497,000
G-4 Good—Star worn smooth. Legend and date readable.
VG-8 Very Good—Outline of shield defined. Legend and date clear.
F-12 Fine—Only star points worn smooth.
VF-20 Very Fine—Only partial wear on star ridges.
EF-40 Extremely Fine—Ridges on star points (coins of 1854 onward) visible.
AU-50 About Uncirculated—Trace of wear visible at each star point. Center of shield possibly weak.
MS-60 Uncirculated—No trace of wear. Light blemishes.
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated—Some distracting contact marks or blemishes in prime focal areas.
Some impairment of luster possible.
