1856 Three Cent Silver
Updated August 19, 2026
| Lot number | 55 |
| Auction | VARIETY COIN AUCTION - 8/26/26 |
| Date | August 26, 2026 at 7:05 PM CDT |
| Auction house | BIGBIDNOW |
| Location | Columbia, Missouri |
1856 Three-Cent Silver, struck at the Philadelphia Mint. This is an early issue from the short-lived Three-Cent Silver series and an interesting example of mid-19th-century U.S. coinage. Please review the photos for the exact condition, surfaces, strike, and overall appearance. The Three-Cent Silver was introduced in 1851 and was created in part to make it easier for the public to purchase postage stamps, which were reduced to three cents. The obverse features a left-facing star with a “C” and Roman numeral “III,” while the reverse displays a large Roman numeral “III” within an ornate design. The 1856 issue had a mintage of 1,458,000 coins. It was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighs approximately 0.80 grams, and measures about 14 mm in diameter. Philadelphia Mint examples carry no mint mark.
