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Doubled die obverse variety.
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.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: Shield nickels of this date are available in all grades, but are slightly scarce. Sharpness of strike varies, as do the qualities of luster and eye appeal. Probably not more than 1 in 10 at the MS-63 or higher level is sharp, lustrous, and beautiful. Proofs vary in quality as well.
CIRCULATION STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: Striking is about average, with some weakness on the horizontal shield lines and, less often, the star centers. Die cracks are common.
PROOF STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: “A good percentage of 1874 proofs have the reverse star at 4 o’clock partially obliterated or flattened due to die grease being in the recess on the die,” notes specialist Douglas L. Kurz.23
VARIETIES:
Doubled-Die Obverse—FS-102, F-12. Strongly doubled die, not only at the annulet as usual, but also prominent at IN GOD WE TRUST, this being highly unusual. Edward L. Fletcher Jr. adds this:
Although doubling has been found in the motto on other Shield varieties, the strength of the doubling (on the motto) on this particular listing is by far the strongest for the entire Shield nickel series and is extremely desirable in all grades. I have only seen three examples of this variety in the last 10 years.24
Other doubled-die obverses, with doubling most notable at the annulet, exist for this year.
Catalog Information
GSID:
373963
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1874
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:
Doubled Die Obverse
Variety 2:
FS-102
Coin Date:
1874
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
3,538,000
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
38400
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1874-5c-shield-nickel-doubled-die-obverse-fs-102/gsid/373963 GSID: 373963 Title: 1874 5c Doubled Die Obverse, FS-102 MS
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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
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Worth: $6,000 – $19,000
1873 5c Doubled Die Obverse MS
Worth: $70 – $3,000
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