1. Category:
  2. Three-dimensional Objects (856)

1861 Star Three-Cent Coin

Creator:
United States Mint
Location:
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Origin Date:
1861
Materials:
metal
Measurements:
overall: 9/16 in diameter
Item ID:
71.2009.082.0852
Holding Institution:
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
Available for Viewing:
No
Category:
Three-dimensional Objects

Description

The obverse of this 14 mm silver coin features the image of a large six-pointed star. Resting within the center of the star is a small image of the United States Shield as it existed back in 1861. Around the outside of the central imagery there is a raised inscription reading “United States of America.” On the bottom of the obverse there is another inscription marking the 1861 year of minting. The coin’s reverse features in the center an inscription marking the 3-cent face value in Roman Numerals rather than traditional numbers. The Roman numerals are within the mouth of a large, decorative capital “C.” A Surrounding the central images are 13 stars representing the thirteen original colonies of the United States. This coin is one of sixteen different coins that were minted and placed into circulation during the administration of President Abraham Lincoln. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum