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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Vess1, post: 1045731, member: 13650&quot;]Thanks. I was actually kidding on the idea of finding one in circulation. I suppose one could accidentally be in with a roll of dimes somewhere but a $5 gold piece could too. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The earlier year mintages were a bit higher going over the one million mark six times. It&#039;s easier to find a high grade 1851 than an 1863 for example. Gradually, the idea of (at least these types of) the 3 cent piece started losing steam and mintages dropped in the late 50s through the end of their run. </p><p>I&#039;ve read that almost the entire mintage of the non-proof, silver 3 cents from 1863 through 1873 were melted down. They were low mintage, are very scarce, seldom seen and command much higher prices.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Interestingly the original demand for 3 cent pieces in the 1850s, was caused by the price of a stamp being lowered from 5 cents to 3 cents.&nbsp; And also that much of the more valuable silver coins at the time were being hoarded or exported as the years went on.&nbsp; Especially during the Civil war.&nbsp; But the 3 cent piece apparently was so small and insignificant that it circulated freely during that time.&nbsp;&nbsp; They also left off a reeded edge on them for the first time on any silver coin which supposedly signified it&#039;s lesser stature.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; It was called the trime, but most of the public at the time called these tiny pieces &quot;fish scales&quot;. </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; James B Longacre was the designer of the 3c silver and the 3c nickel.&nbsp; He also designed the Flying Eagle cent, Indian head cent,Shield nickel, $1 gold and the $20 Liberty gold piece.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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