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In 1863, Director of the Mint James Pollock urged the coinage of a two-cent piece, believing that
it would be a great convenience for the public. At the time cents were scarce in circulation, and
countless Civil War tokens, mostly bronze, were seen in everyday change. Silver coins,
following the suspension of specie payments, did not circulate, so it was believed that a bronze
two-cent piece, which presumably would not be hoarded, would be of great public utility.
The three-cent piece composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but of a silvery appearance, was
authorized by the Act of March 3, 1865. It was designed to take the place of silver-alloy
three-cent pieces (made since 1851, but in greatly reduced numbers after 1862) and to provide
an alternative to three-cent paper fractional currency notes. The design, featuring a Liberty
head with a tiara on the obverse and Roman numeral III within a wreath on the reverse, was
the work of James B. Longacre. The reverse depicts a laurel wreath and was no doubt inspired
by Longacre's 1859 Indian cent reverse.
it would be a great convenience for the public. At the time cents were scarce in circulation, and
countless Civil War tokens, mostly bronze, were seen in everyday change. Silver coins,
following the suspension of specie payments, did not circulate, so it was believed that a bronze
two-cent piece, which presumably would not be hoarded, would be of great public utility.
The three-cent piece composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, but of a silvery appearance, was
authorized by the Act of March 3, 1865. It was designed to take the place of silver-alloy
three-cent pieces (made since 1851, but in greatly reduced numbers after 1862) and to provide
an alternative to three-cent paper fractional currency notes. The design, featuring a Liberty
head with a tiara on the obverse and Roman numeral III within a wreath on the reverse, was
the work of James B. Longacre. The reverse depicts a laurel wreath and was no doubt inspired
by Longacre's 1859 Indian cent reverse.
Two and Three Cents Nickels (1864-1889)
TWO and THREE CENT NICKEL
