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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Vess1, post: 1045465, member: 13650&quot;]Well, this is the one I picked out for my US type set.&nbsp; Originally I wanted to get an example that had luster but I found this one to be a bit more interesting.&nbsp;&nbsp; Was sort of drawn to this one.&nbsp; It&#039;s the Type III variety and is an 1861.&nbsp; Original mintage: 497,000.&nbsp; Toned with major die clash. </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f203/vessxpress1/coinalbum3/3ccombined.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; You will likely notice that design details from the opposite sides are showing up over top of each other. (Thought I&#039;d take a moment to make this a bit of an educational thread while I was at it. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> )&nbsp;&nbsp; This has happened to many coins in the past and is not all that uncommon on these 3 cent pieces.&nbsp; This is called a &quot;die clash&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp; Both dies were accidentally slammed together without a planchet in between, causing both dies to hit each other and transfer design features over to the other.&nbsp;&nbsp; Then when the next planchets are hammered with them, it leaves a partial image of the other side because each die has been deformed.&nbsp; &nbsp; Here&#039;s a close up of one particular area:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp; <img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f203/vessxpress1/coinalbum3/closeupscombined.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; If you look closely, you can see the bottom tip of the star on the obverse has been recreated by the reverse die and just peeks out above the crescent below the outside star. You can also see the star going through the crescent sideways and the shield lines in the III&#039;s.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp; On the flip side, you can see the crescent shape just clipping the tip of the obverse star.&nbsp; And the far left olive is indented right next to the edge of the obv. star. </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; On the reverse, the olives are raised features.&nbsp;&nbsp; So when the dies &#039;clashed&#039; together, the reverse die caused the metal of the obverse die to raise in that area where the olive is.&nbsp;&nbsp; So, when the obverse die stamped another planchet, that now damaged, raised portion on the obverse die, left an &quot;olive indention&quot; in the obverse face.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; Many people are not familiar with the silver 3 cent piece (including me up to this point.)&nbsp;&nbsp; Some may have never seen one.&nbsp; So here&#039;s a size comparison for the archives:</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f203/vessxpress1/coinalbum3/E1-Lincolnand3c.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; As can be seen, the almighty Lincoln cent dwarfs the silver 3 cent piece.&nbsp; Which is probably why this series never really attracted a lot of attention.&nbsp; I have excellent vision but even to my eyes, it&#039;s very hard to read the date on one of these without squinting.&nbsp; Let alone notice any of the details.&nbsp; It&#039;s just large enough to be able to identify what it is to the naked eye.&nbsp; I believe it is the smallest coin ever minted by the US mint.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;All silver 3 cent pieces were made to be 14 mm in diameter.&nbsp;&nbsp; From 1851-1853 the weight was 0.80 gram and was 75/25&nbsp; silver/copper.&nbsp;&nbsp; From 1854-1873 the weight was changed to 0.75 gram and composition was changed to 90/10&nbsp; silver/copper.&nbsp; &nbsp; Here&#039;s where this one stands:</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f203/vessxpress1/coinalbum3/caliper-scalecombined.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; 13.95 mm.&nbsp; Just slightly under the spec dia. and the weight was 0.02 grams shy.&nbsp; Which could be because of the diameter shortage or error in the scale.&nbsp;&nbsp; Anyway, it&#039;s an acceptable variance.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The silver content of the 3 cent piece amounts to a hair over 0.02 troy oz.&nbsp; &nbsp; Which makes the melt value of the legal tender 3 cent piece worth 0.53 cents at the moment.&nbsp; &nbsp; Definitely worth pulling from circulation if you find one!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The other interesting aspect is that people today would like to see the US bring back a circulating coin with precious metal in it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here you have a coin with 0.02 oz of silver in it and it&#039;s melt value is still 17.7x face!!&nbsp; &nbsp; No way something this large could circulate again!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; Well, hope you guys liked this one.&nbsp; I may add more info to it in the coming days.&nbsp; In the mean time, if anybody&#039;s got some silver 3 cent pieces, show them off here.&nbsp; Lets see them![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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