Three Cents Coins: US Coins & Paper Money

The first three cent pieces were known officially as “Trimes” and the unofficially moniker for the coins were “fishscales.” The coins were made out of a low grade silver alloy and were the first coin in United States circulation that had a likeness of Lady Liberty on the obverse side. In 1854, the silver content of these Trimes was raised to match the amount of silver found in other coins being produced. There were two other versions of the three cent pieces made. The second type of the three cents coin was basically a weight reduction to the original coin. To signify the change, there were two extra outlines going around the star of the three cents coin on the obverse side. This lasted for five years until the third outline of the star was dropped in 1858, resulting in the third and final variety.

 

These very attractive three cent pieces are very much a beauty to the eye. These coins are very much important to a lot of collectors because of the rarity and they were the first coins to bear the image of the Lady Liberty.