1889 Three-Cent Nickel : The Last Oddball

Описание: The year 1889 was the last year this coin was ever produced. The end was a long time coming for this oddball denomination, as the Philadelphia Mint had last struck the coin in quantity back in 1881. For the rest of the decade, with little public demand, the mint produced only a trickle of them—fewer than 5,000 coins a year. In fact, between 1883 and 1885, more proofs were minted than business strikes, and 1886 was a Proof-Only year!

This coin was a product of the Civil War, originally intended to replace unpopular 3-cent paper money known as "shinplasters." But it never really caught on. Congress didn't even give it full legal tender status; you could only use 20 of them at a time to pay a debt. While the country's first three-cent coin, a silver piece, was eliminated in 1873, the nickel version continued, much to the benefit of nickel magnate Joseph Wharton, but with limited use for the average person.

Finally, on September 26, 1890, Congress officially abolished the denomination, along with the Gold Dollar and the Three-Dollar Gold Piece.

So, what is a final-year 1889 three-cent nickel worth today? While not a key date, it's considered a "better date" for collectors. An example in XF-45 grade can sell for around $300, while an uncirculated MS-63 can fetch about $500.

In the past, high-grade examples have seen some interesting market swings. In the early 2000s, with only a handful of superb gems known, top-end prices jumped dramatically. But as more examples were certified, the market corrected itself. While the value of a top-grade 1889 has declined, these coins remain a fascinating part of American numismatic history.

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