![United States, 3 Cents 'Trime', 1851 Philadelphia. AU58 [WC3e2-4] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WC3e2-4-1.jpg)
Description
United States of America, Silver ‘Trime’ Three Cents, 1851, Philadelphia mint. Obverse: Large six-pointed star central bearing an escutcheon, date below, country surrounds. Reverse: Mark of value “III” central within stylized letter “C”, thirteen six-pointed stars surround. KM-75. Calendar year output of $163,422 face value for Philadelphia mint 1851 (5,447,400 mintage). Certified and graded by PCGS as Almost Uncirculated 58. A nice inaugural three cent piece and America’s first coin designed as ‘fiat’ currency – essentially, with a fineness of .750 rather then .900 and a weight standard not proportional to its bullion value, there was little incentive to melt these Trimes and therefore ensure their survival in circulation.
