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First year of issue for both the Shield Nickel Series and for the change of the 5 cent denomination from silver to nickel (both continue together until 1873). Desirable yet very common in all existing grades up to MS66, at which point can be considered slightly scarce but still readily available. High-end examples with a strong strike are plentiful.
Obverse Description
A shield flanked on the left and right by leaves topped with a cross with arrows positioned behind at the bottom so the arrow heads and shanks protrude at the sides. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears at the top periphery with the date positioned at the bottom center.
Reverse Description
A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery. Straight lines, depicting rays of the sun, extended from the numeral to between the stars. The rays were removed in 1867.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2868
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1866
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
5, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Rays
Coin Date:
1866
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
14,742,500
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1866-1867
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3790
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Coin Value History
1866 5c Rays MS
Value By Grade
1866 5c Rays MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$43,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $36,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1866 5C Rays AU55 NGC. CDN: $220 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$256
1866 5C Rays, MS65 NGC. CDN: $1,350 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$1,586
1866 5C Rays, MS63 PCGS. CDN: $480 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$512
1866 5C Rays MS66 NGC. ...
$3,782
1866 5C Rays, VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 61 in 35, 2569 finer (12/25). CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 14,...
$124
1866 5C Rays, AU58 PCGS. CDN: $310 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$378
1866 5C Rays, XF45 PCGS. CDN: $155 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$210
1866 5C Shield Rays -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. MS60 Details. Mintage 14,742,500....
$276
1866 5C Rays, MS62 NGC. CDN: $410 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 14,742,500....
$456
1866 5C Rays MS64 PCGS. CDN: $800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$810
No Date 5C Type Two Planchet -- 3% Curved Clip -- MS61 PCGS. Mintage 14,742,500....
$30
1866 5C Rays AU53 PCGS. Mintage 14,742,500. ...
$211
1866 5C Shield Nickel Rays -- Struck 15% Off Center -- Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (17/2631). Mintage 14,742,500....
$900
1866 5C Shield Rays XF40 ANACS. Mintage 14,742,500....
$131
1866 5C Rays VF30 NGC. NGC Census: (22/1967). PCGS Population: (51/2492). CDN: $88 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 14...
$600
1866 5C Rays, Missing Leaf VF25 PCGS. Minor Variety. PCGS Population: (19/2543). NGC Census: (12/1989). CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid...
$129
1866 5C Rays MS67 NGC....
$16,200
1866 5C Shield, Rays VF20 ANACS. Mintage 14,742,500....
$68
1866 5C Rays Reverse, Shield Nickel -- Struck 40% Off Center -- AG3 NGC. ...
$444
1866 5C Rays Shield Nickel -- Double Struck, Second Strike 20% Off Center -- Fine 15 NGC. The second strike is rotated slig...
$6,000
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866/1866 5c Rays, Repunched Date MS
Worth: $150 – $14,400
1867 5c Rays MS
Worth: $17 – $36,000
Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]
Worth: $13 – $2,592
1867 5c No Rays MS
Worth: $13 – $10,800
1868 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $9,600
1869 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $6,000
1870 5c MS
Worth: $15 – $2,200
1871 5c MS
Worth: $45 – $12,600
1872 5c MS
Worth: $25 – $12,600
1873 5c Closed 3 MS
Worth: $30 – $4,800
1873 5c Open 3 MS
Worth: $18 – $3,250
1873 5c Large/Small 3, Open 3, FS-1301 MS
Worth: $6,000 – $19,000
1873 5c Doubled Die Obverse MS
Worth: $70 – $3,000
1874 5c MS
Worth: $19 – $2,640
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