1865 3c US Three Cent Nickel

The 3 cent nickel coin was a unique denomination that was minted in the United States from 1865 to 1889. It was made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, giving it a distinctive silver appearance. The coin's design featured a shield on the obverse and the Roman numeral III surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

The reason for introducing this unusual denomination was to facilitate purchases of small items like postage stamps, newspapers, or streetcar fares. At the time, these items typically cost around three cents, so having a dedicated coin made transactions more convenient.