The Open 3 Variety from 1873 displays spaced out serifs on the 3 and is far more common than its Closed 3 counterpart. Very common through MS64 with gems becoming quite scarce. MS65 remaining affordable and MS66 surging a bit in value. Both are not very difficult to locate.
| coinage-type | Shield nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 20.5 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 4,113,950 |
| ngc-id | 276C |
| obverse-description | A shield flanked on the left and right by leaves topped with a cross with arrows positioned behind at the bottom so the arrow heads and shanks protrude at the sides. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears at the top periphery with the date positioned at the bottom center. |
| pcgs-link | 3800 |
| pcgs-number | 3800 |
| reverse-description | A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery. |
| variety | Open 3 |
| weight-grams | 5 |
| year-display | 1867-1883 |