I have been told this coin is linked with the postage charge of the day? That 3 cents was the cost to post a letter. Great idea if true and prices were less fluctuating, unlike Royal Mail which seems to change every 6 months! mom going to say a “Good” grade because of the wear on the obverse - a kind of “filler” cheers Allan
I heard the same story about the stamp being 3 cents but a newspaper in 1860's was 2 cents. I have one also...
You are correct on both counts. These were minted to match postage rates and I would agree with your grade. It may even ease up toward the "very good" range. Well done!
Although you are 15 years late. The postage rate decrease occurred in 1851, and the 3c (trime) was originally silver. The copper-nickel coins started in 1865. Generally called 3CS and 3CN...
I had heard the same story about the postage rates and 3-cent coins being minted for the purpose of paying postage. I do enjoy looking at these coins, particularly the trime, but here's my best looking 3CN. My trime isn't up to snuff for pics here... gotta find an upgrade for it!
Mailing a letter from coast to coast was $.40 cents in 1847 but was rolled back to $.03 in 1863 nights was for a half ounce letter. In November of 1917 it costs $.03 to mail a 1 ounce letter but in July of 1919 it was lowered to $.02. It didn’t go back up to $.03 until early July 1932. Since then it’s done nothing but increase. $.03 stamps ended in August 1958 when it became $.04.
Amazing that you personally remember all this. Nah, kidding. Seriously though, some have made statements about how much things cost back then. How would one find this information? I first saw the story about the 3 cent and 2 cent on a metal detecting forum but the story wasn't backed up with fact from an actual website or article.
