1865 Three Cent Nickel
The three cent nickel was minted from 1865 to 1889 and was first authorized in response to a shortage of gold, silver and copper coinage in circulation due to hoarding coins during the Civil War.
Postage at the time was 3 cents so this was a convenient coin for the times.
Designed by James B. Longacre with the obverse showing a bust of Liberty wearing a tiara with the wording of Liberty on the band surrounded by United States Of America and the date placed below the bust.
The simple design reverse shows a roman numeral III surrounded by a wreath with berries and a bow at the bottom of the wreath.
All coins were produced at the Philadelphia mint and do not have a mint mark.
The composition was 75% copper and 25% nickel with a diameter of 17.9mm and featured a plain edge.
Happy Collecting!
GD
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