Trime Values
How Much Trime are Worth: Trime Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | $64 | $120 | $150 | $130 | $230 | $272 | $357 | $829 | $725 | $1,343 | |
| 1851 | O | -- | $91 | $119 | $158 | $285 | $507 | $946 | $1,355 | $2,240 | $3,510 | $6,580 | |
| 1852 | (None) Phil | -- | $80 | $90 | $87 | $190 | $270 | $272 | $357 | $523 | $725 | $1,343 | |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | $75 | $130 | $87 | $170 | $200 | $272 | $357 | $523 | $725 | $1,343 | |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | $72 | $82 | $104 | $200 | $234 | $457 | $885 | $1,245 | $1,990 | $4,395 | |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | $112 | $143 | $186 | $288 | $507 | $830 | $1,715 | $2,533 | $5,725 | $13,275 | |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | $69 | $81 | $130 | $170 | $234 | $457 | $913 | $1,300 | $2,359 | $10,375 | |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | $68 | $80 | $130 | $170 | $250 | $484 | $885 | $1,410 | $2,738 | $5,200 | |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | $80 | $80 | $130 | $230 | $250 | $473 | $902 | $1,245 | $1,770 | $3,763 | |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | $68 | $75 | $93 | $170 | $215 | $308 | $432 | $648 | $1,010 | $1,715 | |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | $68 | $75 | $93 | $140 | $215 | $308 | $415 | $639 | $1,770 | $4,925 | |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | $68 | $75 | $93 | $160 | $215 | $308 | $415 | $639 | $999 | $1,506 | |
| 1862/1 | (None) Phil | -- | $70 | $77 | $101 | $143 | $249 | $520 | $664 | $841 | $1,328 | $2,075 | |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | $68 | $75 | $93 | $140 | $215 | $308 | $415 | $639 | $999 | $1,506 | |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | $585 | $638 | $690 | $768 | $860 | $1,245 | $2,130 | $3,180 | $3,540 | $5,230 | |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | $598 | $675 | $728 | $830 | $1,035 | $1,400 | $1,660 | $2,075 | $2,988 | $4,400 | |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | PL | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,000 |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | $585 | $638 | $690 | $780 | $935 | $1,950 | $2,710 | $3,980 | $4,700 | $5,310 | |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | -- | PL | $550 | $717 | $769 | $913 | $1,054 | $1,480 | $2,240 | $3,263 | $4,038 | $4,950 |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $8,500 | |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | $495 | $650 | $728 | $908 | $1,355 | $2,240 | $3,650 | $4,480 | $9,605 | $16,050 | |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | PL | $825 | $1,195 | $1,510 | $2,005 | $2,765 | $5,338 | $7,550 | $27,995 | $24,750 | $30,700 |
| 1869/'8' | (None) Phil | -- | $598 | $650 | $728 | $908 | $1,223 | $1,965 | $3,045 | $4,813 | $7,190 | $10,325 | |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | $610 | $690 | $755 | $963 | $1,223 | $1,825 | $2,268 | $2,655 | $4,980 | $7,550 | |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | $495 | $550 | $678 | $833 | $935 | $1,104 | $1,300 | $1,825 | $2,295 | $2,960 | |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | PL | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,000 |
Description and History
The Three Cent Piece, colloquially known as the “Trime,” holds a distinctive place in the tapestry of American coinage, primarily due to its unique denomination and role in the nation’s monetary history. Minted from 1851 to 1889, the United States introduced the Three Cent Piece for several reasons, including facilitating the purchase of postage stamps and addressing a shortage of small denomination coins. Its inception reflects the economic conditions and innovations of mid-19th century America.
The Three Cent Piece underwent two major design phases during its minting history. The first design was struck from 1851 to 1873 and made of a silver alloy. James B. Longacre designed this version. It featured a Liberty wearing a beaded coronet on the obverse and a Roman numeral III within a C-shaped wreath on the reverse, symbolizing its value.
The second design phase began in 1865 and lasted until the coin’s discontinuation in 1889. This version, known as the Nickel Three Cent Piece, was composed of a copper-nickel alloy, aligning with the composition of other contemporary U.S. coins. Its design was similar to the Silver Three Cent Piece but was more robust to accommodate the properties of the different materials.
The introduction of the Three Cent Piece was partly in response to the decrease in postage rates from five cents to three cents in 1851, necessitating a coin that could be used to purchase a single postage stamp. Additionally, the coin was aimed at addressing the hoarding and shortage of coins during the economic instability of the period, providing a solution that would ease small transactions.
The Silver Three Cent Piece was the smallest denomination silver coin ever minted by the United States, which made it quite popular among the public. However, as silver prices fluctuated and the public accepted nickel coinage, the silver version became less necessary. It was eventually discontinued in favor of the nickel version, which continued to be produced until 1889.
Today, the Three Cent Piece is a curious remnant of a bygone era, offering numismatists a glimpse into the economic conditions, technological capabilities, and societal needs of the United States during the mid to late 19th century.