U.S. Nickel 3 Cent Coins (1870-1876)

Lot 1461
1870. NGC graded Proof 65. Mostly bright, but there is a light coating of tawny nickel colors on both sides. Well struck and preserved, and one of the slightly scarcer dates in gem proof.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1462
1870. NGC graded Proof 65. This one has only a couple of very minor hairlines in the fields, and the coin does not show the contrast seen on earlier issues. Nevertheless, this gem is in the best of its class, with just 66 so graded by NGC, and 13 graded a notch higher. Don't expect to find a better one easily! Untoned and pleasing, without the usual spots or flecks.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1463
1871. PCGS graded Proof 65. A gem by PCGS standards, with a smooth cheek on Liberty and deep mirror fields surrounding. Untoned and well preserved. Only 70 so graded by PCGS, with 8 graded higher.
Estimated Value $950-1,000.

Lot 1464
1871. PCGS graded Proof 65. Bright and frosty throughout, with excellent contrast and no signs of age. One of 71 so graded by PCGS, with just 9 graded higher, making this about as nice as one could reasonably hope to find for their collection. Problem free surfaces.
Estimated Value $950-1,000.

Lot 1465
1871. PCGS graded Proof 65. Housed in the old style small PCGS holder, this coin has excellent surfaces expected for a gem. There are a couple of minor lint marks on the obverse, as made, as the coiner wiped the dies frequently during the coining process to keep them free of grease or metal flecks. These lint marks are common and seen on a large percentage of 19th century proof coinage. Scarce and desirable.
Estimated Value $950-1,000.

Lot 1466
1871. NGC graded Proof 65. This gem is spot-free and graced by a light gold tone on the obverse, a bit more on the reverse. Excellent surfaces that show only the faintest hairlines, and no other signs of contact. There is a minor speck on Liberty's cheek, of unknown origin, and probably of little importance. Only 86 so graded by NGC, with 20 graded higher, making this one of the better coins to survive from the mintage of 960 struck.
Estimated Value $950-1,000.

Lot 1467
1872. PCGS graded Proof 65. A lovely example of this rare date, only 950 proofs were struck, and according to PCGS, only 81 have been graded this high, with 7 graded higher. Deep mirror fields and frosty devices throughout. Untoned and desirable in every way.
Estimated Value $775-850.

Lot 1468
1872. PCGS graded Proof 65. One of the more beautiful proof coins in this large offering, the surfaces are hard white with the devices well frosted. Free of problems like flyspecks or heavy hairlines, this gem is at the top of its class. Only 86 so graded by PCGS, with just 7 graded higher.
Estimated Value $775-850.

Lot 1469
1872. NGC graded Proof 65. Light wood grain toning on both sides of this little sparkler. The first I in the denomination shows some minor weakness at the center. Excellent surfaces.
Estimated Value $775-850.

Lot 1470
1872. NGC graded Proof 65. Only 950 proofs were struck, of those NGC has graded 110 this high, with just 11 graded higher. The surfaces are excellent here, untoned and without the usual spots that often mar these copper-nickel proofs. Coin storage was very primitive a century ago, and many of these proofs reflect those conditions, with spots and handling marks. Gems are scarce, and we offer a large selection for the date collector who wants gem coins without spots. Pick up several dates for your set, as once these are dispersed, they will be hard to locate in such pristine condition.
Estimated Value $775-850.

Lot 1471
1873. Closed 3. NGC graded Proof 66. One of the finest known of this date, all proofs were struck early in the year (as usual for the Mint) and sold throughout the year as orders came in. The closed 3 logotype was changed in mid-January, after the initial dies were delivered, officials feared the closed 3 would look like an 8. New date punches were used, and most of the regular issue coinage is the later open 3 version. This coin boasts a lovely pinkish hue over satiny devices, the mirror fields are pristine, without spots or detractions. Certainly one for the specialist, and even with a slightly larger mintage of 1,100, few are found in grades even approaching this. An excellent opportunity.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,150.

Lot 1472
1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded Proof 65. Although proof mintage increased to 1,100 this year, only 65 have been graded as such by PCGS, with 7 graded higher. Well struck on the obverse, but there is some localized weakness on the denomination. Only a few signs of microscopic contact on the untoned fields and devices.
Estimated Value $800-850.

Lot 1473
1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded Proof 65. All proof three cent nickels were the closed 3, as the dies were prepared prior to the change to the open 3 to reduce the possible confusion that the date was 1878. A beautiful coin, nickel blue color around the rims, with yellow-gold at the centers. Faint hairlines, as always.
Estimated Value $800-850.

Lot 1474
1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded Proof 65. Frosty and bright, with just a hint of hazy toning from being dipped. Well preserved and a high-end gem for the date collector.
Estimated Value $800-850.

Lot 1475
1874. PCGS graded Proof 66. One of just 14 so graded by PCGS this high, with a single coin graded higher. That makes this one of the very finest of the date, and one can see why, the surfaces are superb and the color outstanding. Approximately 700 were struck in proof, few of which remain in gem condition today.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.

Lot 1476
1874. PCGS graded Proof 65. One of the low mintage proofs (700) of which PCGS has only graded 69 this high, with 13 graded higher. Reflective fields and lightly frosted devices combine with splendid surfaces to earn this coin the coveted gem status.
Estimated Value $700-750.

Lot 1477
1874. NGC graded Proof 65. Boldly struck and quite lovely, the surfaces show light yellow toning and are problem-free. One of 96 so graded, with just 22 graded higher by NGC.
Estimated Value $700-750.

Lot 1478
1874. NGC graded Proof 65. Faint golden toning flecks forming the familiar wood-grain appearance on both sides, the coin is mostly white overall. Free of spots or problems, and a lovely gem in every way. Only 97 so graded by NGC, with 23 graded higher.
Estimated Value $700-750.

Lot 1479
1875. PCGS graded Proof 65. This is the curious blundered die with the tip of an extra 1 in the protruding from Liberty's neck (Fivaz-Stanton 3¢N-006.5). Mispunched dies have been all the rage the past few decades as more and more collectors specialize in single series and closely examine every coin with a microscope or strong magnifier. This coin has light antique hazy toning and remains problem free. Scarce, with only 700 issued in Proof, of which 71 are graded this high, with a scant 6 graded higher.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1480
1875. PCGS graded Proof 65. Light bluish and hazy toning around the periphery, and a delightful gem in every way. Struck from rusted and lapped dies, with the left ribbon end showing an area of rust nearby. Quality control at the Mint was slipping a bit.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1481
1875. NGC graded Proof 65. Rose to gold toning on both sides. Struck from rusted and lapped dies, with the left ribbon end showing an area of rust nearby as seen on the other specimen offered in this sale.
Two were struck in pure nickel as an experiment for Joseph Wharton, the nickel mine owner who supplied the Philadelphia Mint, and these remain unlocated. However, they are awaiting discovery, the best test is to check all 1875 three cent nickels, if the coin is magnetic, its one of the two struck in pure nickel, otherwise, its just a regular copper-nickel alloy, as usually seen (Breen).
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1482
1875. NGC graded Proof 65. This coin is boldy struck, but the planchet has some minor flakes in the fields. Hazy toning on the devices, and about as nice as this date is ever found, with just 55 so graded by NGC, and 2 graded higher. Mintage dropped to 700 pieces this year, as the economy struggled back to its feet from the depths of the 1873 depression.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.

Lot 1483
1876. PCGS graded Proof 66. Outstanding quality here, and one of the best of 1,150 struck in proof. Untoned and very frosty, the Mint worked hard to keep quality at the highest ever for this centennial year. Faint flyspecks noted in the fields, but they are mere shadows. One of just 10 so graded by PCGS, with none graded higher.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.

Lot 1484
1876. PCGS graded Proof 65. One of the scarce dates in full gem proof condition, a recent PCGS Population Report notes only 72 so graded, with but 10 graded higher. Bold contrast on the obverse, a bit less on the reverse. Untoned, with a couple of stray hairlines noted in the fields.
Estimated Value $775-850.

Lot 1485
1876. NGC graded Proof 65. Deeply frosted devices are further enhanced by the sunset yellow toning around the periphery. Probably within the top ten percent of the date, and certain to please the gem proof collector. Free of flyspecks or other detractions.
Estimated Value $775-850.