1868 Silver Three-Cent Piece. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC--Gold Label.，This 1868 three-cent piece offers exceptional, virtually full Gem quality for a key date rarity in the series. Both sides are richly and attractively toned with the more vivid colors on the reverse. Smooth satin surfaces and a sharp strike ensure that this trime will sell for a premium bid. The mintage of just 3,500 circulation strikes is indicative of the fact that the usefulness of the silver three-cent in circulation had long since passed by the late 1860s. Survivors are rare in both circulated and Mint State grades, especially with the quality and eye appeal offered here.<p>Authorized by the Act of March 3, 1851, the success of the silver three-cent piece in circulation was at its peak during the early 1850s, where the Type I examples of reduced silver composition (75% silver, 25% copper, as opposed to standard silver alloy of 90% silver, 10% copper) were eagerly sought as replacements for old tenor half dimes, dimes, quarters and half dollars withdrawn from circulation due to rising silver prices. Beginning in 1854, however, the usefulness of the silver three-cent piece began to wane, and yearly mintages for circulation fell off accordingly. The Act of February 21, 1853, reduced the weight of most other silver denominations, thereby allowing them to circulate freely once again. This development, by extension, sharply reduced contemporary demand for the three-cent silver. The denomination would soldier on through 1873, with the post-1853 examples changed to the standard alloy of 90% silver, 10% copper and featuring either the Type II or Type III design. Most circulation strikes of the Type III design (1859 to 1873) have low mintages and the coins saw limited commercial use with most eventually melted.<p><p>，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Acquired from David Bland, Jr. Austin, Texas, March 1973.，
