I just noticed PCGS now calls all 1869 3CS = 1869/8!

Triatotrimenae

Several years ago I purchased an #1869 #3CS. No variety attribution had been performed at original grading, but at some point I became convinced that I could see the telltale markings of the 1869/8 business strike (above the loop of the six and just over the stem of the nine). Today I was perusing my coins for no apparent reason and realized this is now attributed as 1869/8 (Green 2960) and there doesn't seem to be a "plain" 1869 3CS option!

Flynn & Zack refute this as a 69/68 overdate and call it a 69/69 RPD-001. Breen suggests these are most apparent on early die states and are more difficult to see in later strikes. There doesn't seem to be a premium for the EDS, either. But I still thought this was kind of neat.

https://caimages.collectors.com/coinimages/70074/36212300/3CS_1869_MS62_Obv.jpg?v=1672526007314
https://caimages.collectors.com/coinimages/70074/36212300/3CS_1869_MS62_Rev.jpg?v=1672526007314

LanceNewmanOCC

max TV link

https://images.pcgs.com/TrueView/36212300_Max.jpg

cert

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/36212300

thanks for the update!

here is a decent example showing something going on with the last 2 digits.

https://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/40275439_41530521_Max.jpg

ricko

Looking at the magnified images, it does look more like an RPD. Not an expert, JMO. Cheers, RickO

RichieURich

Slight correction: PCGS calls all business strike 1869 3c silvers 1869/8. The proof 1869 3c silvers can be either 1869 or 1869/8. The 1869 proof 3c silvers have a wider and shorter date than the 1869/8's.

The_Dinosaur_Man

I'm not seeing enough evidence that the underlying numeral is indeed an 8. Are there any other examples of this date readily available to promote the idea of an overdate?

kevinj

Definitely not an overdate, studied and overlaid this variety extensively

kevinj

So the cert shows 1869/'8'
If in single quotes such as above, it means it is questionable and not absolute

hummingbird_coins

I'm not an expert either, but I think there is something going on with the 6 as well.