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U.S. 3-Cent piece. The obverse of the coin features a six sided star with a tiny shield within it. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircle the coin. The reverse features a stylized crescent which surrounds the Roman numeral III. Like Canadian half dime, these 3 cent pieces were called "fish scales" while in circulation due to their light weight and small size. The need for a 3 cent coin arose when postage rates were lowered from 5 to three cents, but when postage rates were again lowered to 2 cents, the need for the 3 cent piece was decreasing. Coupled with the fact that it had a similar diameter to the dime, the 3 cent piece was pulled from circulation by the turn of the century. 14mm. Worn, but some text and images can still be made out. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5766119990/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1996-57.A22

3-cent coin minted in 1873. After experiencing silver shortages during the Civil War due to the hoarding of even small denomination coins by the public, the United States decided to issue a 3 Cent nickel-copper coin to deal with the problem. The coin was never meant to be a permanent issue, but remained in production for 16 years after its official discontinuation. The obverse of the coin features a familiar Liberty Head with the date 1873 below and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around it. The reverse features the roman numeral III encircled by a laurel. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5766119990/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1996-57.A23

1935 US Buffalo Nickel, sometimes also referred to as an Indian Head Nickel. Dating these coins is particularly difficult due to their design, in which the date is easily worn away through the course of normal exchange. The coin was replaced after the minimum time it legally had to stay in circulation to be replaced by the Jefferson Nickel in 1938. The face features the profile of an Indian and the word Liberty. The reverse has an image of a Buffalo with the denomination of FIVE CENTS listed below and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5766118932/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1998-50.A11

Example of an all-silver dime dating to 1912. Its face reveals its origin as a design by James Barber, who employed an image of a capped Lady Liberty on the face of his coinage. The face is surrounded by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse includes in image of a Laurel Wreath surrounding the denomination of ONE DIME. The coin is in good condition, with some details visible and accumulation of black patina. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5765570355/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1998-50.A10

1883 Nickel, known to many as the "V" Nickel for the V on its reverse. The face of the coin features a standard Liberty head image surrounded by 13 stars and the year 1883. The reverse features a V surrounded by a Laurel wreath and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM. These coins became popular with the invention of nickel-operated coin vending machines, driving up demand for both this coin and its buffalo-themed successor design. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5766119088/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1998-50.A12

One ribbon from the Virginia Democratic Convention on July 25, 1883. The Ribbon is made of satin and is a pale green color. The ribbon was given to delegates at the convention. Has "This Way Freeman!", and "Delegate," and the Virginia State Seal printed on it. It is 8.5inx2.5in. The ribbon is in fair condition with creases, tears and frayed edges. Also has small holes and stains. Image available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/4081189742. Transferred from Box 22 of the William B. Taliaferro Papers Collection. Located in Textiles S1 SS1, Box 3. Mss 65 T15.A65.3

One Virginia Half-Penny, copper, dated to 1773. Features a barely visible portrait of King George III. The King is wearing a laurel wreath on his head in emmulation of Roman Emperors. The face also features visible letters "E" and "X". The reverse reveals a barely visible coat of arms, with the separators between each quadrant easily visible. The bottom left of the coat of arms features a harp, the top left a standing lion, the top right three fleur d'lis, the bottom right is indistinugishable. This Virginia Half-penny was minted in 1773 in London. Virginia was the only colony which had royal permission to mint coinage, which was issued in 1609. Until 1773, however, colonists had used tobacco as well as other imported coins and notes to make purchases. In 1773, the Virginia assembly voted to mint currency, which was delivered to Richmond but was not released because the assembly lacked a royal charter explicitly allowing them to do so. The charter was delivered a year later on the eve of the revolution, and the coins were promptly released. This first release of Virginia coins resulted in peolpe hoarding the coins due to the unsure outcome of the revolution. 24mm diameter. Very worn condition. Recovered by Robert Nelson Howard in 1926 on his property Bay View on Fish Neck in Dare, Virginia. Donated along with 48 other coins and one brass button; only 15 coins could be located as of this entry. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446171112/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1926.072.A15