After getting my 3 cents nickel, I've been hunting a 3 cents silver coin for a while now but the one with the right price, and decent eye appeal and condition, never really showed up until now. I won this one on the eBay for a little bit under what they tend to go for, probably because it does have the ANACS kiss of death. But I really don't care about that because I will buy any coin graded by the four major grading services, PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and CACG. To me the coin is what it's about. I will take some nice close up photos of the coin when it arrives, but I just wanted to show off the photos while I wait for it. Feel free to share any coins you think are relevant.
Nice. That's a beauty! As you know I am a metal detectorist. One of my best areas in NYC is Prospect Park in Brooklyn. In recent years I have detected some amazing bucket listers there such as a 1853 Seated Quarter, 1907 Barber Half and my best find ever being a 1789 Half Reale. The 3 Cent has been one of my goals and one day last year I met another detectorist who showed me a 3 Cent he found at Prospect. I'm determined to find one and I know I will!
Here's mine that I found while metal detecting. My friend who saw me find it was fuming with jealousy. It was about time!
Here's the Type I Three Cent Silver that is in my type set. It's in an MS-66 holder. These coins are a bit harder to find in high grade without toning problems because their alloy, which is 75% silver and 25% copper. Some of them get absolutly ugly spots, especially the high grade pieces, which are impossible to remove by dipping. In 1854 the alloy was changed to 90% silver and 10% copper like the rest of the U.S. silver coins of the period. I have always had a soft spot for the 1851-O Three Cent Piece. It's the only piece in the series that was made at a branch mint. The "sweet spot" grade for me is MS-63. Once they hit MS-66, the dealers start talking about "the finest known" and start asking huge prices. No thank you!
