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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,535 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2212 Posts |
The 1888 has a mintage of only 36,501, and yet--according to the Red Book--you can obtain an XF example for only $90.
The 1889's mintage is less than half that--18,125--but you can get a VF example for only $135.
Why are the prices for such truly scarce coins so low? Is it because nobody wants them? Or is it because, despite their low mintages, they are available in some abundance? Or perhaps a combination of these two factors?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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Is it because nobody wants them? Yes. 3CN are honestly probably the least popular classic series by a mile. It's a much prettier series than most people give it credit for but it's very unloved overall |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
I think its because its just not that popular of a series, just a guess, personally I like the series.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
I just don't think the 3 cent nickel series is a very
popular one to collect in general, other than a couple
examples for type sets.
The 1884 and 1885 go for 4 figures in grades above VG
and that alone would prevent me from starting a set.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
PCGS survivals are 1500 and 1000 respectively. Not exactly scarce.
I would rather have attractive early commemorative halves with similar mintages and survivals than 3 cent nickels.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
03/25/2018 6:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2212 Posts |
Awww, the 3-cent nickel: the coin nobody loves.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Later date proof are fantastic tiny mintage options for under $500. Since there are so few business strikes, the proofs seem to be preferred by many. They are a LOT easier to collect by series as compared to Three Cent Silver. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
Great coin that folks just don't seem to be interested in. When I started it was suggested as a series to collect because they are rare but not that expensive (except for an obvious few). It's been my avatar ever since.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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Later date proof are fantastic tiny mintage options for under $500 Actually the late date proof mintages are rather high (the 1884 85 and 87 proof mintages are higher than the business strike mintages. And in the case of the 1885 around three times as many proofs than Uncs.), the earlier years tend to have much lower mintages at around the same price. In the late dates the proofs are preferred by many because are a heck of a lot cheaper and a heck of a lot easier to find than business strikes. Edited by Conder101
03/26/2018 09:16 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Small size, bland design and a lack of pizzazz even in MS examples = small collector following.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2212 Posts |
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Small size, bland design and a lack of pizzazz even in MS examples = small collector following. And it's a nickel that's not even worth 5 cents! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3327 Posts |
The 3CN has one of the nicest renditions of Liberty on any coin in my opinion. The problem is that the devices are, of necessity, small. Add to it the aforementioned problems in completing the series and lack of precious metal. One can understand why the series is unpopular.
Edit: I personally think it is a pretty coin.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
Edited by Bump111
03/26/2018 10:12 pm
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
I specialize in the series and love it. With Giffords 'Ultimate Three Cent Nickel Guide' in hand, I'm in cherry picking heaven. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Yes but the problem there is getting a hold of a copy of Gifford.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
I keep looking at the nickel 3-cent set as a potential "next set" to collect. BUTThen I remember the difficulty I had getting one for my type set. That issue has one problem that's disturbing to me. They are hard to find well struck. I understand why but that doesn't make me feel better about them. A high percentage of them show significant weakness of strike most noticeable on the left "I" of the "III" on the reverse. Here's the one I finally settled on for my type set. It's a PCGS MS-65. I also looked at a MS-66 but the -65 I bought was slightly better struck.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3327 Posts |
 She's definitely a looker, Kanga. Nice specimen. "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,535 |
Posted 03/25/2018 6:20 pm
