The 1869 over 8 (or 9) proof three-cent silver comes from a moderately low mintage for its series of 600 coins. Most were saved, leaving the issue readily available to collectors and relatively affordable. Nearly all known examples exhibit a slight repunching on the digit 9. Scarce only in gem condition. Cameo pieces are far more difficult to locate in all grades and deep cameos are a rarity. Look for attractive toners as they are abundant for this series. The majority of known 1869 proof 3-cent silver pieces are of the over-date (assumed to be a 9 over 8) variety with a so-called narrow date punch. The non-overdate variety, with wide date punch, in far scarcer.
| coinage-type | Three cent silver |
| desg | PR |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 14 |
| edge | Plain |
| fineness | 0.9 |
| material | 0.9 silver; 0.1 copper |
| mintage | 600 |
| ngc-id | 22ZR |
| obverse-description | A six-pointed star with a harp in the center is surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom. For the type III issues (1859-73) there is a single frame line around the star. |
| pcgs-link | 3719 |
| pcgs-number | 3719 |
| reverse-description | The roman numeral III is centered in the design ensconced in a large, bejeweled letter C surrounded by 13 stars on the periphery. An olive sprig is added above the roman numerals. |
| variety | Narrow Date |
| weight-grams | 0.75 |
| weight-ounces | 0.02646 |
| year-display | 1859-1873 |