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Nickel Three Cent Closed 3
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I'm just learning about three-cent nickel coins. I am confused about the space between the ends of the open and closed "3". After reading the information at usacoinbook, he says the closed "3" has a wider space between the two ends of the "3". Shouldn't the ends of the "3" be closer rather than "wider"?

https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/716/three-cents/nickel-three-cent/1873-P/closed-3/

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  • Member: Seasoned Veteran

That website description does seem to be in error.

The Closed or Close 3 has large knobs that nearly touch. The Open 3 has smaller knobs, particularly at the top, creating more distance between them and reducing the appearance of a numeral 8. That was the complaint expressed by the Philadelphia Mint's coiner that got the numeral 3 changed. It was done by simply shaving away parts of the existing Closed 3 punch to make it the Open 3 style.

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