Silver or Nickel ?

Hi all Happy Holidays!

I have a 1866 3 cent piece, how can I tell if it is nickel or silver. Thank you for your help once again.

 

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It is dependent on the design.

If it looks like this it's silver: http://www.coinfacts.com/three_cents/three_cents_silver/three_cents_silver_by_date.html

If it looks like this it's nickel: http://www.coinfacts.com/three_cents/three_cents_nickel/three_cents_nickel_by_date.html

I hope that helps. With this date, the nickel variety is far more common.

 

The 3 Cent Silver piece has a STAR on the obverse and is very tiny. The 3 Cent Nickel piece has LIBERTY on the obverse and a Roman Numeral 3 (III) on the reverse.

 

Thank you

Richie: Thank you for the help. My coin is the nickel type:desk:darn. lol Have great day!
Sherri

 

Sherri:
Hey, still a neat find!
Where did you get it?

 

I agree, the Nickel 3 cent piece is a really cool coin. I don't have one and I wish I did. So, it's nothing to be disappointed with and it does have value.

 

Thank you. My Dad gave it to me the other day to add to my collection.

 

Then it is priceless! Nice addition!


Frank

 

the other way you could tell is that the silver is much smaller.
The nickel is about the size of a dime, the silver one is smaller.

but it's from a family member, so keep it and cherish it

 

I agree. I have several coins in my collection that aren't "worth" a whole lot but are among my most cherished because they were given to me by someone special.