1852 was the second year of issue for the Silver Three Cent Piece, introducing a new denomination to the coinage system at the time. This coin features a small star design on the obverse and a large numeral "3" surrounded by a wreath on the reverse. Following the Civil War and facing a shortage of silver, the United States Mint switched to nickel for the three-cent coin. The Nickel variety is smaller and lighter than their silver predecessors.