1857 USA 3 Cents F-VF (F-15) $

In 1851, the three cent coin was proposed as a result of the decrease of the cost of postage from five cents to three cents, and to answer the need for a smaller denomination coin. The coin was initially composed of 75% silver and 25% copper, and known as "fishscales", but in 1865, a nickel version was introduced, and remained in production until 1889, but the silver three cent piece was discontinued by the Coinage Act of 1873.

Obverse: Shield on a six sided star, with the date below and country name around.
Reverse: Roman numeral III inside a stylized C, with 13 stars representing the original 13 states around.

Specifications:
Engraver: James Barton Longacre
Composition: 0.900 silver, 0.100 copper
Weight: 0.75 g
Diameter: 14 mm
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑ ↓
Mint: Philadelphia, USA
Mintage: 1,042,000