1867 3 Cent For Thoughts

The 3 cent nickel is challenging because the metal was too hard for the dies that were accustomed to striking softer gold and silver. This example has a good obverse strike, prominent clashing and a reverse die break below the wreath. What I look for in 3CNs is the strike of the III in the reverse. The numerals have parallel vertical lines throughout the numerals. Note that this example is not fully struck. You will find this even in high MS grades because the steel that made the dies at the time was not hardened enough to produce that detail after a few strikes. You can find perfectly struck reverse numerals in proof issues but it is difficult to find in business strikes. I would look for those.

In the obverse I look for a fully formed coronet with distinct beads with a sharply struck LIBERTY. This one is better than most but not superb. The detail around the hair of liberty also looks a little weak. When all of the elements here are sharp, you have a fully struck and very desirable coin.

This one has hits on the cheek and $150 seems excessive. You can find much better for this price but it takes time and patience to find nicely struck ones. Most exist in states worse than the one pictured here. $150 should buy an MS coin and this one does not have any MS luster.

This is a good example of what mint state luster should look like. Quite a contrast with this coin.

http://goccf.com/t/408925

with NS. I dont collect this series but I would look for fully struck examples if I did and NS gave you the various components to look for. if you are not certain about any coin of interest post here for ccf comments

on this one I dont like the III and I dont like the marks on the cheek

The clashing itself shouldn't prevent a fully struck coin, it will however lead to die failure prematurely. As the dies crash together without any planchet in between them it caused them to become brittle and crack as they clashed. This led to dies needing to be changed out regularly.

There are only 2 books that deal with these coins specifically The first one written is long out of print and quite difficult to find a copy as only around 300 were printed. "The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Three Cent Nickels: 1865 to 1889" by Allan Gifford, 2003. There is a free copy available for reading online or download at the Newman Numismatic Portal.

https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/555545

The other book is still in print and available from most of the usual suspects.

"The Authoritative Reference on Three Cent Nickels" by Kevin Flynn.

There is also a dealer that specializes in this series and he maintains a nice website, I am one of his regular customers - Gary Rosner
https://www.3centnickel.com/ Gary has a good price on the Flynn book. Several years ago Gary purchased most all of Allan Gifford's 3 cent collection (All were ANACS Certified and Labeled as such), he may still have some of Allan's coin for sale mixed throughout his inventory. Found one here on CCF awhile ago, so you can see the label:
http://goccf.com/t/308120#2641268

As to this coin you pictured, I like it, it's probably AU53 and exhibits the standard look of a lightly circulated coin from the series. Many have pock marks and a yellowish tinge of color. Finding superbly brilliant and lustrous coins can be a challenge, but isn't that part of the thrill of the hunt?

Indeed, a helpful reply.