1863 3CS MS68+ 认证号30773971, PCGS号3682

Ron Guth

The 1863 Three-Cent Silver is a very scarce date with a mintage of only 21,000 circulation strikes.  The surviving population is quite low in all grades, and most of the certified examples are in Mint State.  This indicates that collectors set aside some high grade examples but did not pursue the circulated grades.  The rarity of this date in Mint State is similar to that of the 1865, 1866, and 1870.

Typically, this date displays weakness on the topmost tip of the star and on the ribbon end on the opposite side of the coin.  Clashmarks are not as prevalent as on other dates, but there is often a ghosting effect of details from the other side.  High-end examples are very rare, with a gap in MS67 just before a single MS68 and one, monstrous PCGS MS68+ (illustrated above).