US Three Cent Cent Coins
Three cent coins are a rather unusual, and shortlived, denomination for US currency. They were officially called Trimes but many called them "fish scales".The main reason for adding this denomination was to give a coin in value between the cent and half dime. This would make it easier to exchange some foreign coins that were still classed as legal tender in the US at the time. A more immediate reason was that in 1851, postal rates were changed from 5 cents to 3 cents. At the time, the mint was issuing Large Cents which were expensive to produce. The introduction of the 3 cent coin made a better alternative.
There were only 2 main types of the 3 cent coin issued - the Silver three cents and the nickel three cents.
Silver Three Cents - 1851 - 1873
These coins were originally made from a lower grade silver. However,in 1854 the quality was increased to 90% silver.The design of this coin features a star on the obverse. This originally had a single outline. However, in 1854 the design was changed to 3 outlines. This was to show a change in the coin as the weight of the coin was reduced at this time. In 1859 the design changed slightly again as one of these outlines was discontinued, leaving only 2.
Nickel Three Cents - 1865-1889
The nickel three cents was introduced in 1865. Even though it is called a nickel 3 cents, it is actually mainly copper.During 1865 to 1873, both the nickel and silver coins were minted. after 1873 the silver ones were discontinued, leaving only the nickel until 1889 when the denomination was no longer minted at all.