1874 3CN AU58+ Certification #26656984, PCGS #3742

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Repunched UNIT in UNITED and ACA in AMERICA. Obverse die crack from point of bust through UN in UNITED. Another from right of date through bottom of date. CAC sticker. Purchased from the June 21, 2026 Great Collections Auction, lot 2160345.

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1874 Three-Cent Nickel is a common coin in all grades, up to and including MS-64. Gem examples are scarce, and in MS-66 the 1874 Three-Cent Nicklel becomes rare. The finest example certified by PCGS as of January 2012 is a single PCGS MS67.

Most 1874 Three-Cent Nickels are struck weakly on the far left I of the denomination, and many are weak on the central I, as well. A fully struck example is very scarce and should command a nice premium.

PCGS #

3742

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Diameter

17.90 millimeters

Weight

1.94 grams

Mintage

790000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

245

Pop Lower

163

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	3000	R-4.4	13 / 23 TIE	13 / 23 TIE
All Grades	400	R-6.2	9 / 23 TIE	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	6 / 23 TIE	6 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	3000
All Grades	400
60 or Better	100

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-4.4
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-8.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	13 / 23 TIE
All Grades	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	6 / 23 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	13 / 23 TIE
All Grades	9 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	6 / 23 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

#2 MS66 PCGS grade