Trime Time

[RichH]

Cool coin added in the summer

 

Recently added the 1862/1 3 cent silver variety to my Somerville Set. Three Cent Silvers are a great 19th century set to collect as they were only produced from 1851 to 1873. The set features 3 Varieties, "1851-53, No outline to Star", "1854-58 Three Outlines to Star", and "1859-73 Two outlines to Star". The only mintmark in the series is the 1851-O. and the referenced coin in this post the only major variety for the series. What's interesting about this coin is that the variety can be easily ID'd by a die crack extending from the "1" in the date to the rim. This particular coin also exhibits nice circular crescent toning in golden brown, blueish hues. Additionally, great die clashing on both the obverse and reverse. With such a tiny coin, die clashing very common for the set.

The underlying 1 is viewable with 7X magnification ( at least to my eyes), (I cant pick it up with 4X). Also, if you are reading this post and noticed a point change with the addition of the variety to the set ( it was previously display only) , "You're Welcome". If you state your case to NGC, ie , research the pop reports for both PCGS and NGC, explain significance of the variety, etc they may adjust their thinking. This coin , being the only major variety for the set is highly desired and collected as part of the set by trime specialists, indeed most of the collections above me had the coin in their sets and in a better grade than my 63. That being said I searched for 3 years for the "right" coin and think its PQ for the grade , CAC also green stickered for what that's worth.

Finally, many collectors only go after the dates up to and including 1862 in MS, and the remaining dates in Proof, as UNC mintages dropped like a rock after this date ( reference the red book for mintages). Amazing to me how many collectors are going after these dates in UNC to complete this set. I am only going to complete to 1862 and then may go Proof on the others, or at least get 1 proof for "closure". David Bowers in his 2005 US Type Set Red Book wrote " After 1862 Mint State coins are rare for most dates. I have never seen a full set of mint state pieces". Clearly this has changed and Registry collecting certainly a catalyst for this "new collecting".

Not posting the pic as it is not very good, but if curious you can take a peek under my set's listing.

Cheers !

 

Rich

 

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[Yevrah1]

These 3CS coins are really tiny. I have an 1856 Type 2 example. I also have one that I knew was damaged and wouldn't grade (sent in the days they body bagged coins ).

 

I don't see how people were able to keep track of them in the days they were in use.

[RichH]

Yup they are tiny , but as the saying goes, good things come in small packages.

 

I have a couple Morgan CC's and if you put one coin next to the other the contrast in size is staggering. Kind of like, (and I know I am dating myself, Kareem Abdul Jabbar standing next to Tiny Archibald). Then again, the Morgans probably didnt circulate greatly because they were too big.

 

Cheers!

 

Rich

[coinsbygary]

Congratulations Rich! Trimes or fish scales as some people called them are pretty cool coins and have a neat history. Right now I am interested in adding the 1851-O to my type collection. I need to get rid of the AU details 1859 that I already own for something nicer. The details grade is for a slight dent this coin has. Come on, for something so small and thin, give me a break!

All the best!

Gary

[Ultra Cameo Collection]

Back in those days even 3 cents could buy you something. I have a feeling people could keep from losing them. Wasn't it postage that spawned the 3Cent? It was actually 3 cents worth of silver. If you do the math 33 of these would weigh close to a morgan. .75gm x 33 = 24.75gm and a Morgan is 26.73gm so not too bad for the time period.

 

Anyone who wants to trade 33 silver 3 cent pieces for a Nice BU 1921 Morgan please let me know.

[Yankeejose]

Nice pickup Rich!- I did not realize you had this many of these 3 cent silvers. I did check the Redbook at the low volumes after 1862. It is amazing that there would be any of these coins left in any grade, considering how small and fragile they are. I would think that unless someone lived in the Philadelphia area from 1863-1872 they would have never had a chance to ever even see one in circulation!