As of May, 2024, a 1879 3 Cents Nickel in circulated condition is worth between $50.00 and $400.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $425.00 and $3,500.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $7,619.00 in the 02/01/2005 by renowned auctioneer Heritage Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: James Barton Longacre
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
Weight: 1.94 grams
Mintage: 38,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Liberty Head Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889

1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-673,500.00
MS-66+2,500.00
MS-661,750.00
MS-65+1,500.00
MS-651,250.00
MS-64+1,100.00
MS-641,000.00
MS-63+650.00
MS-63550.00
MS-62+500.00
MS-62450.00
MS-61435.00
MS-60425.00
AU-58+400.00
AU-58375.00
AU-55+360.00
AU-55350.00
AU-53+335.00
AU-53325.00
AU-50+310.00
AU-50300.00
XF-45+285.00
XF-45275.00
XF-40250.00
VF-35235.00
VF-30225.00
VF-25210.00
VF-20200.00
F-15185.00
F-12175.00
VG-10150.00
VG-8125.00
G-6110.00
G-4100.00
AG-375.00
FR-260.00
PO-150.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State425.003,500.001,200.77
About Uncirculated300.00400.00344.38
Extremely Fine250.00285.00270.00
Fine and Very Fine175.00235.00205.00
Good and Very Good100.00150.00121.25
Poor, Fair, and About Good50.0075.0061.67

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1879 Three Cent Nickel. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1879 3 Cents Nickel (Proof)80.00275.00300.004,250.00
1879 3 Cents Nickel, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A525.007,000.00
1879 3 Cents Nickel, DCAM (Proof)N/AN/A20,000.0020,000.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$805.00

Lowest Sale Price
$2,530.00

Highest Sale Price
$1,143.75

Average Sale Price
$1,320.00

Most Recent Sale Price
66

Number of Sales
$75,487.43

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-67+1,028.002,640.001,952.00
MS-672,185.007,619.003,572.36
MS-66+990.001,410.001,200.00
MS-66805.002,530.001,143.75
MS-65+506.001,150.00756.80
MS-64+588.00588.00588.00
MS-64440.001,035.00604.23
MS-63269.00352.50323.21
MS-62219.00348.00301.39
MS-61236.00253.00244.50
MS-60184.00216.00200.00
AU-5880.001,451.13339.77
AU-55127.00151.00135.00
AU-53112.00258.50199.13
AU-50156.00230.00185.73
XF-45125.73156.00140.97
XF-4069.00153.00111.43
VF-3564.00141.0097.50
VF-3054.00161.0091.26
VF-25104.00138.00120.25
VF-2081.0099.0089.50
F-15144.00144.00144.00
F-1234.0072.0055.40
VG-825.0025.0025.00
PO-144.0044.0044.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-67+. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-67 having the highest max price $7,619.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 76.83% share, followed by David Lawrence RC / Bowers & Merena with 6.10% / 4.47% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1879 3 Cents Nickel (Regular Strike) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,340.0001/14/2024
MS-67+NGCHeritage Auctions1,800.0007/23/2023
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,280.0005/07/2023
VF-35ANACSHeritage Auctions113.0003/22/2023
MS-65+NGCStack's Bowers720.0003/08/2023
MS-60PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers216.0002/01/2023
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions149.0001/25/2023
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions84.0001/25/2023
MS-67+NGCHeritage Auctions2,340.0012/18/2022
VF-20NGCHeritage Auctions99.0011/30/2022
VF-25NGCHeritage Auctions124.0010/05/2022
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers840.0009/21/2022
MS-65+NGCDavid Lawrence RC715.0008/14/2022
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions149.0006/22/2022
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions576.0006/22/2022
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,320.0003/21/2022
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,050.0012/01/2021
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions840.0010/27/2021
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions800.4008/26/2021
XF-40NGCStack's Bowers132.0012/21/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions780.0012/09/2020
MS-64+NGCHeritage Auctions588.0011/11/2020
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions156.0010/14/2020
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions69.0010/14/2020
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions348.0009/09/2020
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions114.0009/02/2020
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions960.0008/05/2020
MS-66PCGSScotsman1,180.0007/24/2020
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions780.0007/08/2020
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions132.0006/24/2020
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,320.0004/29/2020
MS-66PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions1,410.0003/26/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions840.0002/05/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions840.0010/24/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,020.0009/08/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions840.0009/08/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,140.0008/18/2019
F-15NGCHeritage Auctions144.0005/22/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions840.0004/28/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions528.0004/10/2019
MS-67+NGCHeritage Auctions2,640.0003/16/2019
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions156.0003/13/2019
XF-40PCGSDavid Lawrence RC125.0011/18/2018
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions810.0010/14/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,640.0004/29/2018
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,220.0001/03/2018
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions300.0009/12/2017
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions609.6009/07/2017
MS-66+NGCHeritage Auctions990.0009/07/2017
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions564.0008/02/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions998.7508/02/2017
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions329.0007/11/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,057.5004/04/2017
MS-67+NGCGoldberg Auctioneers1,028.0002/13/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,997.5001/04/2017
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions881.2508/10/2016
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,702.5007/07/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,820.0007/07/2016
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,000.0004/10/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions940.0012/03/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,305.4310/29/2015
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,057.5008/16/2015
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions1,451.1308/04/2015
MS-65+PCGSStack's Bowers1,116.2507/17/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions998.7507/12/2015
AU-58NGCDavid Lawrence RC162.0006/28/2015
AU-53PCGSHeritage Auctions258.5006/07/2015
VF-25NGCDavid Lawrence RC115.0004/12/2015
AU-58NGCDavid Lawrence RC375.0004/12/2015
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions575.7502/01/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions558.1312/04/2014
MS-65+NGCDavid Lawrence RC675.0011/16/2014
XF-40PCGSGreat Collections126.5011/16/2014
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions84.0011/02/2014
VF-30NGCHeritage Auctions99.8809/15/2014
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions131.6008/11/2014
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions588.6807/10/2014
MS-67PCGSDavid Lawrence RC4,700.0005/25/2014
MS-66NGCGreat Collections918.5003/23/2014
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions352.5003/21/2014
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions125.7303/03/2014
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions205.6303/03/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions4,112.5002/27/2014
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,702.5001/08/2014
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions258.5001/06/2014
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,528.0012/05/2013
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions646.0012/05/2013
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,058.0011/01/2013
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions176.0009/30/2013
MS-66+NGCHeritage Auctions1,410.0007/11/2013
XF-45PCGSDavid Lawrence RC150.0006/30/2013
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions940.0006/05/2013
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions141.0003/18/2013
XF-45PCGSStack's Bowers133.0002/22/2013
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions881.0010/29/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions852.0010/18/2012
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions306.0010/18/2012
PO-1NGCHeritage Auctions44.0010/01/2012
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions306.0008/02/2012
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions153.0008/02/2012
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions345.0007/23/2012
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,100.0007/12/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions776.0006/11/2012
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,064.0005/14/2012
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions928.0004/18/2012
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions863.0004/18/2012
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions748.0004/18/2012
MS-62NGCStack's Bowers345.0003/22/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0002/02/2012
MS-66NGCDavid Lawrence RC932.0001/19/2012
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0001/09/2012
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions978.0001/03/2012
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0012/19/2011
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,530.0012/08/2011
AU-53PCGSHeritage Auctions230.0012/08/2011
MS-65+PCGSStack's Bowers633.0011/15/2011
VF-25PCGSHeritage Auctions138.0010/24/2011
MS-65+NGCScotsman575.0010/21/2011
MS-66NGCStack's Bowers978.0006/14/2011
AU-58NGCHeritage Auctions219.0006/01/2011
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions690.0006/01/2011
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,530.0004/27/2011
AU-53ANACSHeritage Auctions196.0002/07/2011
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0002/03/2011
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions920.0012/02/2010
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0012/02/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,495.0009/22/2010
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions633.0009/22/2010
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions978.0004/28/2010
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,760.0004/28/2010
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions138.0004/05/2010
MS-60NCSHeritage Auctions184.0002/08/2010
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0011/16/2009
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions138.0005/06/2009
VF-30ICGHeritage Auctions109.0003/04/2009
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena978.0003/01/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,035.0003/01/2009
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions863.0001/01/2009
MS-66NGCStack's805.0001/01/2009
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions299.0009/01/2008
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions104.0006/09/2008
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions230.0006/04/2008
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena1,006.0006/01/2008
MS-67NGCBowers & Merena3,680.0004/01/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0002/13/2008
VF-25PCGSHeritage Auctions104.0001/23/2008
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions920.0001/09/2008
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,495.0001/07/2008
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC748.0012/31/2007
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions109.0011/07/2007
MS-65+NGCDavid Lawrence RC897.0011/05/2007
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions460.0008/15/2007
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions4,888.0008/08/2007
MS-65+PCGSSuperior Galleries747.0008/03/2007
VF-20ANACSHeritage Auctions86.0007/18/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,093.0005/23/2007
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions63.0005/16/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions949.0005/09/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0005/01/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions920.0005/01/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions151.0004/16/2007
MS-66NGCBowers & Merena920.0003/01/2007
MS-61ANACSHeritage Auctions236.0002/20/2007
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions490.0002/20/2007
VF-20ANACSHeritage Auctions81.0002/19/2007
MS-65+PCGSBowers & Merena633.0002/01/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,150.0002/01/2007
MS-65+PCGSBowers & Merena719.0002/01/2007
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena1,035.0002/01/2007
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions51.0001/03/2007
VG-8ANACSHeritage Auctions25.0011/15/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0009/13/2006
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions138.0007/12/2006
MS-67PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities5,865.0006/21/2006
VF-35ANACSHeritage Auctions86.0006/05/2006
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions345.0003/22/2006
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions54.0002/22/2006
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions3,105.0001/15/2006
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions322.0001/09/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,323.0012/13/2005
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions161.0010/12/2005
VF-20ANACSHeritage Auctions92.0010/09/2005
MS-61NGCHeritage Auctions253.0009/26/2005
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,035.0009/01/2005
MS-66NGCBowers & Merena1,093.0007/25/2005
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions60.0007/24/2005
MS-62PCGSHeritage Auctions299.0007/04/2005
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions219.0006/06/2005
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions600.0006/05/2005
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,185.0006/02/2005
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0005/04/2005
MS-63NGCDavid Lawrence RC269.0004/25/2005
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions86.0004/24/2005
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena1,380.0003/10/2005
MS-67PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities5,060.0003/08/2005
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions863.0002/23/2005
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions633.0002/23/2005
MS-66PCGSSuperior Galleries1,495.0002/20/2005
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions127.0002/02/2005
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions7,619.0002/01/2005
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions184.0001/12/2005
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions62.0012/22/2004
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,495.0012/08/2004
MS-67PCGSBowers & Merena4,715.0012/02/2004
MS-66PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities1,495.0011/30/2004
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions34.0011/21/2004
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,380.0011/04/2004
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions332.0009/01/2004
MS-64NGCBowers & Merena1,035.0008/14/2004
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions863.0007/20/2004
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions72.0006/30/2004
VF-35ANACSHeritage Auctions67.0006/16/2004
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions60.0006/16/2004
MS-66PCGSStack's/ANR1,100.0006/01/2004
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions776.0005/05/2004
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0005/05/2004
MS-66PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities1,265.0003/09/2004
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions604.0001/07/2004
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions150.0009/22/2003
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0009/01/2003
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,294.0007/26/2003
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions76.0006/04/2003
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions575.0004/23/2003
AU-53ANACSHeritage Auctions112.0003/03/2003
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,990.0002/01/2003
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions506.0011/21/2002
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,006.0009/01/2002
MS-65+PCGSSuperior Galleries1,035.0008/01/2002
MS-66PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers1,207.0002/18/2002
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,050.0010/10/2001
AU-55NONEGoldberg Auctioneers127.0010/02/2001
MS-66PCGSSuperior Galleries1,208.0010/01/2001
VF-30ANACSGoldberg Auctioneers63.0005/28/2001
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions529.0005/01/2001
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,000.0001/11/2001
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions460.0001/04/2001
VF-35ANACSHeritage Auctions64.0011/23/2000
VF-30NONEHeritage Auctions161.0010/01/2000
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions633.0010/01/2000
MS-65+NGCSuperior Galleries633.0006/05/2000
AU-58PCIHeritage Auctions80.0004/21/2000
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions587.0001/08/2000
MS-66PCGSSuperior Galleries1,093.0009/19/1999
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,150.0008/01/1998
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions3,105.0008/01/1998
MS-64NONEStack's440.0010/01/1992