The mintage continues to drop for the Three Cent Nickels in 1880 with just 21,000 coins struck. The ultimate type coin as the mintage is low which makes it more desirable, yet still quite affordable. Very common up through MS65 at which point the coin becomes scarce as a high-gem. Only the finest of gems are very rare.
| coinage-type | Three cent nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 17.9 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 21,000 |
| ngc-id | 275C |
| obverse-description | A Romanesque Liberty is portrayed facing left with LIBERTY emblazoned on her crown. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears on the periphery with the date at the bottom. |
| pcgs-link | 3748 |
| pcgs-number | 3748 |
| reverse-description | The roman numeral III is centered in the design surrounded by a large wreath tied with a bow at the bottom. This design is one of few American coins without wording on one of the sides. |
| weight-grams | 1.94 |
| year-display | 1865-1889 |