The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has issued an award rating of not less than MS 62 to the Star Three Cent Silvers series that were produced from 1851 to 1873. Today these coins are wanted by a huge number of collectors and some of them have even registered very heavy prices at auction. These miniature age-old coins which most people will not bother about have seen an increase in price as a result of their scarcity, silver content and most importantly history.
Coins that belong to the old times but are out of circulation are not always considered worthless. Some coins, for instance, do, in fact, gain more worth as time passes by owing to their scarcity, age history and even the value of the metals. These sharp eyes for detailed pieces have also made past coins over the years to be sold at huge prices that are quite unimaginable today, especially those that are of limited editions or distinct collections. Mid 1800s star three cent silvers – another such collection of coins that evoke great interest of the public is this series.
The Star Three Cent Silvers were minted in the United States from 1851 to 1872, with different designs and silver compositions introduced over the years. The coins were small and held a unique design, often going unnoticed by the average person today. However, collectors and experts are aware of their worth, with some coins in excellent condition selling for as much as $80,000 at auctions.
A singular case in point from the said series would be the 1854 Star Three Cent Silver coin. This particular coin is identified as having been minted at Philadelphia Mint by the presence of its mintmark. The design of the coin was completed by one of the most prominent engravers in history, Jason Barton Longacre, who had a lot of proportions on many famous US coin engravings. The 1854 coin’s diameter is 14.30 millimeters and consists of 90% silver and 10% copper. This proportion of silver to copper was commonplace for that period and aided in the coin’s strength and value. In the year 1854, the mintage indicated around 671,000 of this coin was produced, which although not extremely scarce in today’s market still warrants a valuable treasure considering its age and the remarkable peculiarities of that year’s production.
One of the mintage years of the 1854 Philadelphia Mint was that two important design and composition changes occurred. First, there was an increased amount of silver in the coin making it even more valuable due to its metallic content. Also, a second circumference was introduced around the star at the reverse side of the coin. It is a rather simple feature, however, the year 1854 is distinguishable as compared to other years in the series and helps in differentiating the edition for collectors and evaluators.
According to PCGS, the 1854 Star Three Cent Silver coin, particularly when in excellent condition, can fetch a high price at auction. In 2021, one of these coins sold for $84,000 at Heritage Auctions, a respected venue for numismatic sales. Only two examples of this particular coin have received high Mint State (MS) ratings: MS67 and MS64. These ratings indicate the coin’s condition and preservation, which are key factors in its value. For coins to receive these grades, they must undergo an evaluation process that considers multiple characteristics, especially the coin’s condition. Mint State ratings mean the coin has little to no wear and is well-preserved, retaining much of its original luster and design clarity.
Historically, especially for high MS rated coins, their preservation over time has contributed to retaining their details and sparkle hence their high market appeal. And this is rational, given that not more than two pieces of 1854 Star Three Cent Silver coins have been rated this high, making them scarce and sought for by coin collectors. Such rankings, along with the intriguing history and the features of the Star Three cent Silvers, make this series very prospective in the U.S coins.
Find out why the Star Three Cent Silvers series is one of the favorite areas for coin collectors and historians. It is also worth noting that the coins of this series, particularly the coins of the best preservation, have an impressive value. Its rareness, appealing artistic design and the story behind those coins makes these coins sought after. For the lucky individuals who happen to have one in their possession, studying its history and condition could prove that the coin in question is worth several thousand dollars. The Star Three Cent Silver is not just any currency that was used ages ago; rather, it is an American historical item that has continually been appreciated and treasured more.
