1889 Three-Cent Nickel : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

The year 1889 represented the final year of production for the Three-Cent Nickel. The end for this odd denomination had been a long time coming, as the Philadelphia Mint had last struck the coin in quantity in 1881. For the remainder of the decade, due to little demand, the mint produced only token amounts of the coin, generally fewer than 5,000 per year. From 1883 to 1885, proofs outnumbered business strikes, and 1886 was a Proof-Only year.

The debate surrounding the continued production of a coin with limited utility and low demand had carried on for years. While the coin type was initially issued as a way to redeem 3¢ “shinplasters” (emergency paper money that circulated during the Civil War), Congress did not give the Three-Cent Piece unlimited legal tender status. This meant that no more than 20 could be redeemed at a time. In 1873, Congress eliminated the country’s first three-cent coin—a small, wafer-thin silver piece—but continued production of its nickel counterpart. This may have served the interests of nickel magnate Joseph Wharton. Still, it did little for the American consumer or business, as the denomination had limited legal tender status throughout its production.

While 1889 marked the final year of the coin’s production, the denomination was not officially abolished until Congress eliminated it on September 26, 1890, along with the Gold Dollar and the Three-Dollar Gold Piece.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

While not a key date, the 1889 Three-Cent Nickel is considered a better date, with examples in XF-45 grade selling for about $300. This price increases to approximately $500 for coins in MS-63 condition. The typical uncirculated example falls in the MS-63 to MS-64 grade band, and superb gems are scarce.

The value of the 1889 Three-Cent Nickel in MS67 condition has declined over the past 25 years, even after adjusting for inflation. In the early 2000s, with only a handful of “Superb Gems” known—around seven graded by PCGS—prices for a top example had jumped from an inflation-adjusted $4,800 to $13,800 for the coin in the Bruce Scher collection, who was at the time meticulously building the #1 PCGS Set Registry set.

However, prices quickly fell, and by 2009, the market for this grade had reached its lowest point, at approximately $3,500 in inflation-adjusted dollars. At this time, the PCGS MS67 population had grown to 11 coins.

The 1889 saw a slight recovery in 2010, buoyed by a trio of CAC-certified coins, but returned to the $3,500 price point in 2014 and 2016. Sometime around 2021-2022, five PCGS MS67+ coins were certified. Since MS67 is no longer the top-pop grade, the value has dropped to approximately $2,600. Throughout this period, CAC-certified coins consistently outperformed both NGC and unstickered PCGS coins.

The NGC MS66 population rose from two to six between 2023 and 2024.

Top Population: PCGS MS67+ (5, 8/2025), NGC MS68 (1, 8/2025), and CAC MS67 (14:1 stickered:graded, 8/2025).

• NGC MS68 #6332535-002: Stack’s Bowers, March 21, 2023, Lot 3089 – $7,200; Stack’s Bowers, August 15, 2024, Lot 4509 – $4,320.
• PCGS MS67 #50180403: Heritage Auctions, August 8, 2007, Lot 316 – $2,760; Heritage Auctions, May 12, 2024, Lot 7078 – $2,520.
• PCGS MS67 CAC #21765651: “The Bruce Scher Collection,” February 24, 2005, Lot 4024 – $8,193.75; Heritage Auctions, March 28, 2009, Lot 436 – $2,990. CAC added; Heritage Auctions, January 13, 2022, Lot 3259 – $4,800. Two ticks behind Liberty’s neck. Spike die clash image behind Liberty’s second-lowest curl—prominent die cracks at 11 and 1 o’clock on the reverse.
• PCGS MS67 #83213958: Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2017, Lot 3647 – $1,880.
• PCGS MS67 #83214002: Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2017, Lot 3648 – $1,703.75.
• PCGS MS67 CAC #06678437: “The Classic Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2010, Lot 399 – $3,737.50; Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2010, Lot 4069 – $3,593.75; “The Western Hills Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 16, 2017, Lot 3210 – $6,462.50. Lightly toned.
• PCGS MS67 CAC #27964537: “The TDP Collection,” Heritage Auctions, July 7, 2016, Lot 3201 – $3,055.
• PCGS MS67 #25226040: Heritage Auctions, March 3, 2016, Lot 3612 – $2,585.
• PCGS MS67 #25260574: Heritage Auctions, October 8, 2014, Lot 3203 – $2,820.
• PCGS MS67 #06557074: “The Frank J. McCarthy, Jr. Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 15, 2007, Lot 2465 – $3,220; “The Brian Loncar Collection, Part II,” Heritage Auctions, June 4, 2014, Lot 3313 – $2,585.
• PCGS MS67 CAC #06653651: Heritage Auctions, September 23, 2010, Lot 3439 – $2,990.
• NGC MS67 #3214443-007: Heritage Auctions, April 30, 2009, Lot 1342 – $2,300.
• PCGS MS67 #05887962: Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2008, Lot 612 – $2,875.
• PCGS MS67 #07876376: Heritage Auctions, March 15, 2007, Lot 178 – $4,140.
• PCGS MS67 #5788312: “The Hill Country Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2007,  Lot 1987 – $3,220. Light golden toning along the periphery.
• PCGS MS67 #6550294: Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2005, Lot 5389 – $5,635.
• PCGS MS67 #50059724: Heritage Auctions, September 18, 2003, Lot 5838 – $2,760.

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Design

Obverse:

The obverse features a left-facing head of Liberty. Liberty wears a pointed diadem inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Surrounding the head is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The date appears at the bottom. The coin has a denticulated border and a raised rim.

Reverse:

A large Roman numeral III dominates the reverse of the design. A closed wreath surrounds this figure.

Edge:

The edge of the 1889 Three-Cent Nickel–like all Three-Cent Nickels–is plain or smooth, without reeding or lettering.

Coin Specifications

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