The rare three cent coin

Starting in 1851, the price of postage actually dropped from five cents to three cents, thus the trime (the first 3 cent coin) was born. Inflation was unlikely to happen because all currency was worth the content of the metal. In fact, deflation occurred because the American economy was booming from immigrants. The trime weighed less than a gram but still had its face value in silver. Postage could have been paid with large cents but those were both bulky and heavy.

The trime was minted from 1851-1873 but dwindled in production after 1854. This coin is abnormal because it didn’t have Lady Liberty on it. Almost coins have a heads side with a picture of a president on them. The trime just has a star.

My 1853 trime is in fine condition and it is worth about $40. Later dates in the series cost hundreds in the same condition due to the low production of those years.