Three-cent piece

Three-cent silver piece

United States
Value	0.03 US dollars
Mass	(1851–53) 0.8 g (12.3 gr) (1854–73) 0.75 g (11.6 gr)
Diameter	14 mm (0.55 in)
Thickness	0.6 mm (0.024 in)
Edge	plain
Composition	(1851–53) 75% Ag, 25% Cu (1854–73) 90% Ag, 10% Cu
Years of minting	1851–1873
Obverse
Design	shield on six-pointed star
Designer	James Barton Longacre
Design date	1851
Reverse
Design	Roman numeral III
Designer	James Barton Longacre
Design date	1851

Three-cent nickel

United States
Value	0.03 US dollars
Mass	1.94 g (29.9 gr)
Diameter	17.9 mm (0.70 in)
Edge	plain
Composition	75% Cu, 25% Ni
Years of minting	1865–1889
Obverse
Design	Liberty Head
Designer	James Barton Longacre
Design date	1865
Reverse
Design	Roman numeral III
Designer	James Barton Longacre
Design date	1865

The United States three cent piece was a unit of currency equaling 3⁄100 of a United States dollar. The mint produced two different three-cent coins for circulation: the three-cent silver and the three-cent nickel. Additionally, a three-cent bronze coin was made as a pattern in 1863. During the period from 1865 to 1873, both coins were minted, albeit in very small quantities for the silver three-cent piece.