The United States 3-cent coinage refers to a series of coins minted by the United States Mint with a denomination of three cents. There were two main types of 3-cent coins minted: the silver three-cent piece and the nickel three-cent piece. Here are some key points about each:

1. Silver Three-Cent Piece (1851-1873):

   • The silver three-cent piece, often referred to as the "trime," was introduced in 1851.
   • It had a composition of 75% silver and 25% copper, with a weight of 0.8 grams.
   • The obverse featured a shield surrounded by a six-pointed star, while the reverse depicted a Roman numeral III.
   • The silver three-cent piece was primarily minted to address the shortage of small denomination coins in circulation during the mid-19th century.
   • Production of the silver three-cent piece ceased in 1873 due to declining demand and the increasing availability of other denominations.
   • 
     

2. Nickel Three-Cent Piece (1865-1889):

   • The nickel three-cent piece, also known as the "trime," was introduced during the Civil War in 1865.
   • It had a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a weight of 1.94 grams.
   • The obverse featured a Liberty head facing left, while the reverse depicted a Roman numeral III surrounded by a wreath.
   • The nickel three-cent piece was minted to address the need for small denomination coins, as silver coins were hoarded during the Civil War.
   • 
     
   • Production of the nickel three-cent piece continued until 1889, after which it was discontinued due to declining demand and the increasing use of the new five-cent nickel, also known as the "nickel."

Both the silver and nickel three-cent pieces are popular among coin collectors and numismatists due to their historical significance and unique designs. They represent an interesting chapter in the history of U.S. coinage and the efforts to address the shortage of small denomination coins during the 19th century.