U.S. Mint coin reference
Type 2 raised the silver fineness to the standard 90% alloy and added three outlines around the obverse star.
Obverse: A shield rests within a six-pointed star bordered by three outline lines.
Reverse: A Roman numeral III appears within an ornamental C; an olive sprig sits above and a bundle of arrows below.
1854–1858: Silver Three-Cent Piece (Type 2: Three Lines Bordering Star) raised the denomination’s fineness to 90% silver while reducing its weight to 0.75 gram. Three outlines around the obverse star distinguish this short-lived revision.
The reverse retains the Roman numeral III but adds ornamental changes. Weak strikes and tiny planchets make complete star outlines and sharp reverse details useful attribution points.
The Mint revised the silver three-cent piece in 1854 after the weight and fineness of subsidiary silver coinage changed. The new 90% silver coin was slightly lighter, and added design detail distinguished it from the earlier 75% silver type.
The three outlines around the star separate Type 2 from Types 1 and 3. Because the design is intricate and the coin is only 14 millimeters wide, weak strikes and rapid loss of fine detail are common concerns; original surfaces and sharp central details carry strong collector appeal.