Three-Cent Pieces

This smallest of United States silver coins was authorized by Congress March 3, 1851. The first three-cent silver pieces had no lines bordering the six-pointed star. From 1854 through 1858 there were three lines, while issues of the final 15 years show only two lines. Issues from 1854 through 1873 have an olive sprig over the III and a bundle of three arrows beneath. Nearly the entire production of non-Proof coins from 1863 to 1872 was melted in 1873. Nickel three-cent pieces were struck [1865-1889] to replace the silver version. -- Red Book (2008)