John's Obsolete
3C SILVER, TYPE 2 (1854-1858)

Owner Comments:

Of the three type of 3 cent silver coins this, type 2, is the most challenging to find with pleasing eye appeal. Examples are far from rare but gem coins are not common and are the more expensive of the three types (census: 47 in 65, 35 finer as of March 2017). The distinction between type is based on the number of lines around the star. Type 1 has no lines, type 2 has 3 lines and type 3 has 2 lines. Also this was the first time the mint departed from using a standard percent silver in the alloy of all silver coins. At 75% silver, the "trime" had a lower silver content by weight than the contemporary standard of 90 percent. This deviation occurred only in type 1 coins(1851-1853.) This and the diminutive size of the coins earned them the derogatory moniker of "fish scales" as opposed to the term "trime". These were issued to facilitate the purchase of 3 cent postage stamps.

This particular coin has a "striking" degree of die clash on both the obverse and the reverse. There is also 8.0 degrees of clockwise reverse die rotation (8.0 degrees RDR CW) which has been corrected in the photo. The rotation can be quickly identified by looking at the NGC slab prongs on the obverse compared to the reverse. The "Blast White" color is likely the result of some chemical facilitation rather meticulous storage and preservation over the past 160+ years. Nevertheless, the coin has remarkably clean surfaces with excellent luster. There is no sign of over dipping such as a dullness of or grey coloration in the surfaces. To me this indicates that the coin was likely the beneficiary of both some amount of careful preservation and some careful "proper" cleaning (as opposed to NGC defined Improper Cleaning.) The grade is a bit generous, in my opinion, given the flat stars and poor striking of "STATES OF" on the top of the obverse.