3c Silvers Three Cents Coins: US Coins & Paper Money

Another one of James Longacre’s designs, the three cent silver pieces are the first three cent pieces to be minted, starting in 1851. They were measured at 14 millimeters in diameter, 1.55 millimeters thick, and weighed 0.8 grams in their conception. These coins loss weight in 1854, dropping the mass of the three cent silver piece from the 0.8 grams to 0.75 grams. The coin was composed of 75% silver and 25% copper; to insure that the coin would still be accepted currency yet not so heavy in silver that it would be melted down to extract it. All of these coins were minted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, except the first year where they were also created in New Orleans, Louisiana. This created the lightest coin to ever be minted by the United States.

1867, PF-65 CAMEO, THREE CENT SILVER



1867,  PF-65 CAMEO,  THREE CENT SILVER

Buy It Now: $2,400.00

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Ends In:
7d 20h 35m

1850 Pattern Three Cent Silver, J-125, Judd 125, ANACS



1850 Pattern Three Cent Silver,  J-125,  Judd 125,  ANACS

Buy It Now: $999.00

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Ends In:
10d 11m

1864 Proof Three Cent Silver - NGC PR64, Proof 64



1864 Proof Three Cent Silver - NGC PR64,  Proof 64

Buy It Now: $999.00

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Ends In:
28d 19h 32m

1851 3CS NGC MS65



1851 3CS NGC MS65

Buy It Now: $920.00

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Ends In:
8d 10m

1861 Silver 3 cent, type III, PCGS MS65



1861 Silver 3 cent,  type III,  PCGS MS65

Buy It Now: $875.00

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Ends In:
20d 21h 22m

1851 TYPE-I 1 3c THREE-CENT SILVER TRIME NGC MS65 WHITE



1851 TYPE-I 1 3c THREE-CENT SILVER TRIME NGC MS65 WHITE

Buy It Now: $789.99

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Ends In:
27d 23h 48m

1857 Silver 3 cent, type II, NGC MS63



1857 Silver 3 cent,  type II,  NGC MS63

Buy It Now: $670.00

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Ends In:
13d 11h 49m

RARE PROOF 3CENT SILVER *PCGS* 1911 PR-64 GREAT MIRRORS



RARE PROOF 3CENT SILVER *PCGS* 1911 PR-64 GREAT MIRRORS

Price: $649.94

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Ends In:
20h 16m

1862 3c Silver Type 3 Proof Like Rare



1862 3c Silver Type 3 Proof Like Rare

Buy It Now: $500.00

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Ends In:
12d 15h

1853 3 cent Silver, type I, PCGS MS64



1853 3 cent Silver,  type I,  PCGS MS64

Buy It Now: $450.00

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Ends In:
22d 19h 16m

1852 Siver 3 cent, type I, NGC MS64



1852 Siver 3 cent,  type I,  NGC MS64

Buy It Now: $435.00

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Ends In:
1d 12h 23m

1851 THREE CENT SILVER NICE COIN 1ST YEAR CHOICE COIN



1851 THREE CENT SILVER NICE COIN 1ST YEAR CHOICE COIN

Buy It Now: $389.00

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Ends In:
3d 19h 13m

1857 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE



1857 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $365.00

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Ends In:
10d 20h 45m

1871 3SCS PCGS AU58



1871 3SCS PCGS AU58

Price: $306.50

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Ends In:
19h 36m

1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE



1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $265.00

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Ends In:
10d 19h 52m

1852 SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE; HIGH-END~ SALE~~~ $247.95



1852 SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE; HIGH-END~ SALE~~~ $247.95

Buy It Now: $247.95

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Ends In:
21d 19h 43m

US Coin Silver 1851O Three Cent XF



US Coin Silver 1851O Three Cent XF

Price: $229.00

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Ends In:
20h 24m

1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE



1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $215.00

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Ends In:
10d 20h 51m

1862 Three Cent Silver Beauty Sharp Civil War FREE S H



1862 Three Cent Silver Beauty Sharp Civil War FREE S H

Buy It Now: $205.00

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Ends In:
27d 18h 59m

1862 Silver Three-Cent Piece ~ Brilliant Proof ~



1862 Silver Three-Cent Piece ~ Brilliant Proof ~

Price: $202.50

Sale

Ends In:
4d 19h 56m

Collection of 10 Three Cent Silver Coins



Collection of 10 Three Cent Silver Coins

Price: $199.00
Buy It Now: $225.00

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Ends In:
1d 13h 15m

1858 TYPE-II 3c SILVER CH.AU BU



1858 TYPE-II 3c SILVER CH.AU BU

Buy It Now: $198.99

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Ends In:
24d 18h 47m

1855 3¢ Silver Repunched Date Extra Fine Better Date



1855 3¢ Silver Repunched Date Extra Fine Better Date

Buy It Now: $190.00

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Ends In:
9d 21h 10m

Lot of 22 Three Cent Silver Coins - Low Grades



Lot of 22 Three Cent Silver Coins - Low Grades

Price: $185.00
Buy It Now: $200.00

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Ends In:
2d 11h 12m

1862 3 cent silver, ANACS AU55



1862 3 cent silver,  ANACS AU55

Buy It Now: $180.00

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Ends In:
23d 11h

1853 BEAUTIFUL TONED SILVER THREE CENT HIGH GRADE



1853  BEAUTIFUL TONED SILVER THREE CENT HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $180.00

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Ends In:
24d 22h 32m

1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE



1851 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $175.00

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Ends In:
9d 13h 59m

1852 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE



1852 SILVER 3 CENT RAINBOW TONED HIGH GRADE

Buy It Now: $175.00

Sale

Ends In:
12d 18h 8m

1851 3 cent Silver, Type I, PCGS AU58



1851 3 cent Silver,  Type I,  PCGS AU58

Buy It Now: $170.00

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Ends In:
10d 22h 14m

1861 TYPE-III 3c SILVER CH.AU BU MEDALLIC ROTATION 180D



1861 TYPE-III 3c SILVER CH.AU BU MEDALLIC ROTATION 180D

Buy It Now: $169.99

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Ends In:
24d 18h 46m

1852 3 Cent Silver FROSTY BU CH BU ZK-3 FREE US SHIPPIN



1852 3 Cent Silver FROSTY BU CH BU ZK-3 FREE US SHIPPIN

Buy It Now: $169.00

Sale

Ends In:
21d 18h 31m

1860 Silver 3 cent, type III, NGC AU50



1860 Silver 3 cent,  type III,  NGC AU50

Buy It Now: $160.00

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Ends In:
26d 19h 6m

1853 Three Cent Silver Piece BU Brilliant Unc. 3c



1853 Three Cent Silver Piece BU Brilliant Unc. 3c

Price: $150.00

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Ends In:
2d 13h 6m

1853 3c SILVER CH.AU BU



1853 3c SILVER CH.AU BU

Buy It Now: $145.99

Sale

Ends In:
24d 18h 48m

1853 3 cent silver, type I, NGC AU55



1853 3 cent silver,  type I,  NGC AU55

Buy It Now: $145.00

Sale

Ends In:
9d 21h 12m

1854 3¢ Silver Type 2 Extra Fine About Uncirculated



1854 3¢ Silver Type 2 Extra Fine   About Uncirculated

Buy It Now: $139.00

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Ends In:
23d 17h 17m

United States Three Cent Silver 1852



United States Three Cent Silver 1852

Buy It Now: $135.00

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Ends In:
18d 14h 28m

1852 Silver 3 cent, type I, ANACS AU50



1852 Silver 3 cent,  type I,  ANACS AU50

Buy It Now: $135.00

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Ends In:
27d 10h 2m

1856 Silver 3 cent, type II, PCGS XF40



1856 Silver 3 cent,  type II,  PCGS XF40

Buy It Now: $135.00

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Ends In:
28d 9h 3m

1858 Silver Three Cent Pieces United States Coin



1858 Silver Three Cent Pieces United States Coin

Buy It Now: $119.75

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Ends In:
17d 20h 53m

1851 Silver 3 Cent Coin ANACS EF 45



1851 Silver 3 Cent  Coin ANACS EF 45

Buy It Now: $115.00

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Ends In:
13h 15m

1862 Three Cent Silver SOLID GEM BU++ ** Super PQ



1862 Three Cent Silver SOLID GEM BU++ ** Super PQ

Price: $114.01

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Ends In:
2d 22h 43m

US 1853 Silver Variety 1Three Cent Piece AU



US 1853 Silver Variety 1Three Cent Piece AU

Price: $111.00

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Ends In:
20h 17m

1858 Silver Three Cent (Type 2, Large Star Three Lines)



1858 Silver Three Cent (Type 2,  Large Star Three Lines)

Buy It Now: $110.00

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Ends In:
18d 17h 1m

1858 Three Cent Silver High Grade. #15



1858  Three Cent Silver   High Grade.        #15

Buy It Now: $79.50

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Ends In:
19d 10h 47m

1858 US Silver Three-Cent Piece Ex Fine CV $135.00



1858 US Silver Three-Cent Piece Ex Fine CV $135.00

Price: $69.00

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Ends In:
19h 15m

1853 ~ SILVER THREE CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!



1853 ~ SILVER THREE CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!

Buy It Now: $68.75

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Ends In:
25d 14h 16m

1857 AU SILVER THREE CENT -COLOR-99c NO RESERVE ID#O262



1857 AU SILVER THREE CENT -COLOR-99c NO RESERVE ID#O262

Price: $66.00

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Ends In:
15h 54m

1852 Three Cent Silver SOLID GEM BU++ ** SUPER PQ COIN!



1852 Three Cent Silver SOLID GEM BU++ ** SUPER PQ COIN!

Price: $62.00

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Ends In:
4d 22h 59m

1873 three cents



1873 three cents

Buy It Now: $60.00

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Ends In:
24d 13h 9m

U.S. Coin 1862 Three Cent Silver



U.S. Coin 1862 Three Cent Silver

Price: $59.99

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Ends In:
2d 8h 55m

U.S. Coin 1853 Three Cent Silver



U.S. Coin 1853 Three Cent Silver

Price: $59.99

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Ends In:
2d 9h

1858 3 Cent Silver XF original surfaces P5



1858 3 Cent Silver XF original surfaces      P5

Price: $59.00

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Ends In:
18h 43m

1852 Three Cent Silver VG08 PCGS Nice FREE S H



1852 Three Cent Silver VG08 PCGS Nice FREE S H

Buy It Now: $59.00

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Ends In:
15d 23h 13m

1853 Three Cent Silver Nice Pretty FREE S H



1853 Three Cent Silver Nice Pretty FREE S H

Buy It Now: $59.00

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Ends In:
16d 20h 2m

1859 S3C 3 CENT SILVER ANACS MS61



1859 S3C 3 CENT SILVER ANACS MS61

Price: $56.88

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Ends In:
7d 14h 13m

1859 3SCS ANACS AU55



1859 3SCS ANACS AU55

Price: $56.00

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Ends In:
19h 16m

1852 & 1859 Silver Three Cent Pieces - Sold As A Lot



1852 & 1859 Silver Three Cent Pieces - Sold As A Lot

Buy It Now: $55.00

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Ends In:
6d 18h 34m

1852 Three Cent Silver Nice FREE S H



1852 Three Cent Silver Nice FREE S H

Buy It Now: $53.00

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Ends In:
21d 19h 32m

1852 3-Cent Silver Coin Very Fine Condition



1852  3-Cent Silver Coin     Very Fine Condition

Price: $50.00

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Ends In:
3d 14h 54m

Three Cent Silver 1852 VF-XF



Three Cent Silver 1852 VF-XF

Buy It Now: $50.00

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Ends In:
11d 20h 46m

1852 THREE CENT SILVER CHOICE XF AU!! N R!!



1852 THREE CENT SILVER  CHOICE XF AU!!   N R!!

Price: $49.99

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Ends In:
4d 21h 22m

USA 3 cent silver 1861 XF



USA 3 cent silver 1861 XF

Price: $49.99

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Ends In:
6d 15h 7m

1852 3 Cent Piece Silver Original XF AU



1852 3 Cent Piece Silver Original XF   AU

Price: $49.99
Buy It Now: $79.99

Sale

Ends In:
7d 21h 26m

1851 ~ SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!



1851 ~ SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!

Buy It Now: $49.99

Sale

Ends In:
11d 17h 20m

1852 Silver 3 Three Cent Piece XF Original L@@K antique



1852 Silver 3 Three Cent Piece XF Original L@@K antique

Price: $49.95

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Ends In:
1d 18h 5m

1853 Three Cent Silver ICG VG8 NICE FREE S H



1853 Three Cent Silver ICG VG8 NICE FREE S H

Buy It Now: $49.00

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Ends In:
16h 16m

1851 Three Cent Silver Real Nice FREE S H



1851 Three Cent Silver Real Nice FREE S H

Buy It Now: $47.00

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Ends In:
13d 19h 38m

1851 3c SILVER VF+



1851 3c SILVER VF+

Buy It Now: $46.99

Sale

Ends In:
24d 18h 48m

1860** 3 CENT* SILVER* SPECTACULAR TONEING HIGH QUALITY



1860** 3 CENT* SILVER* SPECTACULAR TONEING HIGH QUALITY

Price: $46.55

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Ends In:
22h 16m

1853 3 CENT SILVER



1853 3 CENT SILVER

Price: $45.00

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Ends In:
19h 18m

1856 3 Cent Silver



1856   3 Cent Silver

Buy It Now: $44.99

Sale

Ends In:
14d 18h 7m

1853 ~ SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!



1853 ~ SILVER THREE-CENT PIECE RAW LOOK!!

Buy It Now: $43.75

Sale

Ends In:
11d 17h 20m

1853 3 Cent Silver Piece Fine Condition



1853 3 Cent Silver Piece Fine Condition

Price: $42.50
Buy It Now: $45.00

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Ends In:
4d 13h 10m

1853 3c SILVER VG



1853 3c SILVER VG

Buy It Now: $41.99

Sale

Ends In:
24d 18h 47m

1852 3c SILVER VG



1852 3c SILVER VG

Buy It Now: $41.99

Sale

Ends In:
24d 18h 48m

1853 (VG) 3 CENT PIECE (SILVER) (*E5511) FREE SHIPPING



1853 (VG) 3 CENT PIECE (SILVER) (*E5511) FREE SHIPPING

Buy It Now: $41.99

Sale

Ends In:
29d 10h 11m

1851-O 3-CENT SILVER PIECE



1851-O  3-CENT SILVER PIECE

Price: $41.00

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Ends In:
1d 21h 17m

1853 3 Cent Silver



1853  3 Cent Silver

Buy It Now: $39.99

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Ends In:
16d 9h 31m

1852 THREE CENT SILVER PIECE



1852 THREE CENT SILVER PIECE

Buy It Now: $39.95

Sale

Ends In:
16h 31m

1853 Three Cent Silver Nice FREE S H



1853 Three Cent Silver Nice FREE S H

Buy It Now: $39.00

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Ends In:
15d 22h 14m

1852 SILVER THREE CENT, FINE



1852 SILVER THREE CENT,  FINE

Price: $38.99

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Ends In:
12h 30m

1853 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE



1853 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE

Buy It Now: $38.99

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Ends In:
1d 22h 54m

1852 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE



1852 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE

Buy It Now: $38.99

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Ends In:
1d 22h 54m

1852 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE



1852 TREE 3 CENT SILVER COIN NICE

Buy It Now: $38.99

Sale

Ends In:
10d 21h 33m

US Coin Silver 3c 1852 F



US Coin Silver 3c 1852 F

Price: $38.00

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Ends In:
20h 24m

US Coin Silver 3c 1852 F



US Coin Silver 3c 1852 F

Price: $38.00

Sale

Ends In:
20h 24m

1852 Silver Three Cent Pieces United States Coin



1852 Silver Three Cent Pieces United States Coin

Buy It Now: $36.50

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Ends In:
17d 20h 45m

1853 United States 3 Cent Silver Coin



1853 United States 3 Cent Silver Coin

Buy It Now: $36.29

Sale

Ends In:
27d 9h

1859** 3 CENT* SILVER* SPECTACULAR RAINBOW HIGH QUALITY



1859** 3 CENT* SILVER* SPECTACULAR RAINBOW HIGH QUALITY

Price: $36.01

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Ends In:
22h 8m

Discount & Bargain

In 1954, the reduction in weight was contributed to the adding more silver to the compound, taking the 75% silver content to 90%. This was done to encourage circulation of the three cent silver piece, which seemed to be lacking at that time. And there was some backlash at the decision to raise the content of the three cent silver piece higher, especially with the Civil War breaking out.
 
Citizens decided to hold onto these silver pieces instead of keeping them in circulation, understanding that there was a great need for the metal. This was the birth of the three cent nickel. These three cent silver pieces are worth induction to the collection, as they are the first three cent pieces made.

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