Shield nickel coins were minted from 1866 through 1883. Previously known as a half dime, these shield nickels. Shield nickel value five cent shield 1866 to 1883 coin value. The half dime was still around, but like other silver coins, had trouble staying in circulation. A homely coin, the shield nickel was also proportionally too thick for its diameter, this awkward size resulting from the determination of congress to have a coin weighing an even five grams. Ngc attribute an extensive roster of shield nickel varieties described in varietyplus. Being well over 100 years old, the 1866 shield nickel is of special importance to collectors. The shield nickel was americas first modern day 5 cent peice made from nickel alloy, or coppernickel as some people call it. Variety 1 features rays on the reverse, which were removed from variety 2 coins. Shield nickels were minted starting in 1866, primarily in response to an extreme shortage of circulating coins. These 75% copper, 25% nickel coins, the first 5cent pieces with this composition, circulated concurrently with the. Theres a few reverse hub varieties as well as a few other variety types but theyre too confusing to go.
The top 20 shield nickel varieties, shield nickels have a top list too. Shield nickels 1866 1883 the act of may 16, 1866 authorized a new five cent coin made of 25% nickel and 75% copper. The shield nickel is just one of the many fivecent pieces produced by our mint, but is especially romanticized due to the period of our history that it represents. Discussion in us coins forum started by susanlynn9, jul 26, 2004. The shield nickel was introduced in 1866, representing the first five cent denomination struck in nickel. The coin was issued for 16 years between 1866 and 1883. Counterfeit coin detection 1880 shield nickel coinweek. Shield nickels are one of our more popular type coins. The redbook only lists one variety for the 1866, the dramatically doubled date coin. Shield nickels are not one of the most popular collected us coins. There are now five generally recognized varieties of genuine 18832 shield nickels. It is quite possible the condition of your nickels.
Furthermore, eds book sometimes lacks sufficient pictures to make accurate attributions, and new varieties are discovered all the time. Shield nickels of 1866 and 1867 with rays having bold sharpness are worth premiums because of their scarcity. Americas shield nickels were struck in two major varieties. The shield nickel series has yielded a large number of varieties.
A massive quantity of nearly 15 million new nickels. This created the unusual situation where two coins of the same value circulated. Click on any of the boxes to see much larger images. Mint director james pollock wanted an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel to replace the fivecent fractional currency note. But i recall from a book on shield nickels, which currently is out of my grasp, that there is interest in shield nickels with only 3 leaves on the right upper bunch. The 1866 shield nickels are highly sought after by collectors because of their history. Shield nickels 1866 1883 the united states mint can trace its history back to the early days of the united states itself. Shield nickel history when the shield nickel launched in 1866. The 1866 five cent shield nickel had a rpd error in which the 1866 date was repunched over another 1866 date. Errata, shield nickel reference book errata and additions. Shield five cents 18661883 like the threecent piece introduced the year before, the coppernickel fivecent piece was created to retire the unpopular fractional currency notes of that value. Shield nickels variety 1, rays between the stars 1866 1867. Here is something that might be helping your coins value.
This page also shows coins listed for sale so you can buy and sell. What is the most authoritative guide book to shield nickels. Shield nickel was the first true fivecent nickel, struck with nickel just after the civil war ended. Get the best deals on shield nickel us coin errors when you shop the largest online selection at. The shield nickel was the first united states fivecent piece to be made out of coppernickel, the same alloy of which american nickels are struck today. Shield nickel value five cent shield 1866 to 1883 coin. In 1866, the mint introduced a new fivecent coin which proved to be so popular that. The first nickel five cent pieces were struck in 1866 and there have been relatively few. Although the shield nickel was dropped, the nickel. Coins are for sale with many grades to choose from.
There has been one book published on shield nickel varieties ed fletchers excellent the shield five cent series, which came out in 1994. This created the unusual situation where two coins of the same value circulated simultaneously the other coin being the half dime. After the country was founded, the us government realized the need for unique. From 1867 until 1883, the reverses are without rays. Gold and silver coinage had disappeared from circulation because their bullion value was greater than their face value. There are two type coins in the shield nickel series. Make offer 1866 shield nickel with massive obverse cud with rays variety free shipping. Actually there are 5 different varieties of 1868 shield nickels. Shield nickels used the same copper and nickel composition as the threecent nickel piece introduced in 1865 and were struck in two major design varieties. The 1867 shield nickel thread us, world, and ancient.
As you may recall, i have been a longtime collector of shield nickels, especially varieties. The act of may 16, 1866 authorized a new five cent coin made of 25% nickel and 75% copper. Longacre, the coin was issued from 1866 until 1883, when it was replaced by the liberty head nickel. After 1873, the coins became the sole representative of the denomination, following the discontinuation of the half dime. Shield nickel photos, mintage, designers, weights, diameters, varieties, and much more. Home 5c nickels 1866 1883 shield nickels 1866 1883 shield nickels.
Shop our huge inventory of precious metals products and accessories. If you want to get into shield nickel varieties, then ed fletchers the shield five cent series is the best book. The shield nickel remained in production until 1883. If you run a book search and disregard the auction catalogs, i would say a majority of books go that way, and david bowers, who is probably the biggest name numismatic writer alive, goes with shield nickel.
Shield five cent series 2020 red book guide book of united states coins. The 1866 and 1867 shield nickel reverses feature rays. Literary guilds book of the year award winner for 1998. In the years 1866 through 1869, the master hub for the shield nickel obverse was. This minimum value is assigned to a common date, heavily worn coin. Longacre, the coin was issued from 1866 until 1883. All of the five varieties except one the f07 show pieces of a 2 between the second 8 and the 3 of the date. Several subjective factors of personal preference may be. But shield nickel varieties are legion, and there are many that are not covered by eds book. Learn about coin values and prices for shield nickels minted from 1866 to 1883. The 1879 shield nickel is one of the rarest nickels and is. Even with only a quick glance, a number of problems with this counterfeit shield nickel are obvious.
609 770 420 799 759 926 408 333 219 1434 91 1678 244 1299 1312 1429 394 1512 378 1263 134 1472 125 1485 832 1674 72 1550 595 823 580 123 758 1143 1639 237 1201 405 116 604 1099 700 1440 734 1092 667