Three Cent Thursday: 1883 Three Cent Nickel PCGS MS-67 CAC

Great coin

As noted in the OP, the tremendous drop in mintage causes these high grade business strikes to be super expensive. The lovely coin shown runs roughly around $32K. However, for those of us interested in a gorgeous example of a Three Cent Nickel, proof versions are the way to go for several reasons:

1. The pricing is often far less for Proof versions of the same date and same grade than Business strikes. For the 1883 shown above, in grade Proof 67, the PCGS Price Guide has it at only $1,050, instead of $32,500 as a Business strike. For Registry Sets, where a Cameo designation adds on extra points, a Proof Cameo 67 is listed in the same price guide as only $1,250. For those collectors looking to spend less, the 1883 GEM 65 grade still runs at a whopping $9,500 as a Business strike, but only $380 as PR65, and $525 as PR65CAM!

2. In addition to the significant price saving of buying a Proof Three Cent Nickel for a Type Set, the "Cherry on Top" is that in most cases, the eye appeal of the Proof version will be nicer than a business strike in the same grade. The Proof version will usually have a stronger strike and be more lustrous.

3. As noted, with Proof versions, you can usually find coins with a Cameo designation for not much more money than a non-Cameo version. Not so for a Busiess strike.

Wow! That thing just jumps off the screen!