1874 United States 3 Cent Value

Today a 1874 United States 3 Cent typically sells for its melt value to well into four figures, with condition doing most of the work. Where your coin lands depends on wear, strike and surface quality.

Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.

1874 United States 3 Cent value by grade

1874 United States 3 Cent value by grade
GradeEstimated value

Estimated retail range. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.

Current 1874 United States 3 Cent value

The market for the 1874 United States 3 Cent is driven by condition above all.

1874 United States 3 Cent specifications

Series
United States Coinage
Year
1874
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
Not recorded
Composition
Cupronickel

The missing mint mark, explained

Look for a letter and you will not find one. The 1874 United States 3 Cent is a Philadelphia product, and the main mint did not sign its work at this time.

What makes the 1874 United States 3 Cent valuable

For the 1874 United States 3 Cent, surviving examples tell the story that mint records do not. Museum-documented specimens define the issue for collectors.

There is history in a 1874 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.

1874 United States 3 Cent inscriptions & design

Obverse

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / LIBERTY [on coronet] / (date)

Liberty bust left

Reverse

III

Value in wreath

Measured 1874 United States 3 Cent specimens

1 physically measured 1874 United States 3 Cent example in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the g, mm minting standard.

Measured 1874 United States 3 Cent specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1874 United States 3 Cent #1---Breen.2432

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.