J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver Pattern  - J803 1870 3CS Pattern NGC PF64 CAC, R7+. This rare, J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver, Aluminum Pattern or trime pattern is the finest known at NGC. This J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver Pattern coin is struck in aluminum has light devices on much darker fields creating an almost cameo effect. The devices are mainly shades of tan and the fields are light and dark brown and greenish-brown. The strike is above average with full details present on the outlines around the star, the shield, and the details of the leaves. The CAC sticker attests to the coin being of premium quality and fully meriting the grade assigned. The surfaces of this J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver Pattern are original and clean, with good reflectivity and relatively few hairlines.

The J-803 is a trial piece that was struck from regular dies using an aluminum planchet. Trimes, designed by James B. Longacre, were also known as fish scales. They were minted in large quantities because postal rates went from five cents to three cents. They were unpopular because they were easily lost and had a tendency to become discolored and dirty looking. Because the composition was 75% silver and 25% copper, the coin was billon. In 1853 a new coinage act transformed the content to the weight and fineness that was standard for silver coins.

The obverse shows a six-pointed star that is bordered by two raised lines. Within it is a small heraldic shield. The inscription is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date below. The reverse shows a large letter C enclosing the Roman numeral III. On the C are circular and diamond designs. Above the III is an olive branch, and below it are three arrows tied together with a ribbon. Around the periphery of the coin are thirteen six-pointed stars.

When Longacre first came to work at the Mint, he was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. In the end Peale was found out and fired in 1854. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

The J-803 has a high Rarity 7 rating, which indicates that only 4 to 6 J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver Pattern pieces are known in all conditions, yet only two have been certified by both major grading services. In its population report, NGC shows only this J-803 1870 3 Cent Silver Pattern piece in PF64 condition. No others have been certified by NGC. PCGS has none in PF and 1 in Cameo proof condition. At CAC only the present piece has been confirmed as of April 2012, with none better.