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The 1874 Shield Nickel is the perfect type coin as it is both extremely common yet has a far lower mintage (just over 3.5 million) than earlier type coin issues. Affordable and accessible into the finest grades because the relatively low mintage does not command a premium, making it a great coin for collectors.
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:
2879
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
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 #:
3803
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1874-5c-shield-nickel/gsid/2879 GSID: 2879 Title: 1874 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1874 5c MS
Value By Grade
1874 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$3,300 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $2,750 | $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 |
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/raysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866 5c Rays MS
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]
![Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/noRaysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
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 AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 19 in 55, 289 finer (11/25). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 3,538,000....
$149
1874 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: 19 in 58, 156 finer (12/25). CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 3,538,000....
$186
1874 5C MS66+ PCGS....
$2,880
1874 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: 33 in 63, 90 finer (10/25). CDN: $250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 3,538,000. ...
$252
1874 5C MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population: 69 in 64 (2 in 64+), 85 finer (10/25). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage ...
$516
1874 5C AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (6/181). PCGS Population: (10/286). CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 3,538,000...
$91
1874 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS Population: (32/204). NGC Census: (24/118). CDN: $210 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 3,538,0...
$228
1874 5C MS65 PCGS. PCGS Population: (49/20). NGC Census: (23/5). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 3,538,000....
$960
1874 5C XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: (7/302). NGC Census: (3/180). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 3,538,000...
$114
1874 5C -- Polished -- ANACS. XF45 Details. NGC Census: (2/155). PCGS Population: (10/248). Mintage 3,538,000....
$53
1874 5C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (6/254). NGC Census: (2/165). Mintage: 3,538,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem free...
$65
1874 5C MS61 NGC. ...
$170
1874 5C VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population (2/171). NGC Census: (1/109). Mintage: 3,538,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for NGC/PCGS coi...
$75
1874 5C
$30
1874 5c PCGS AU55
$210
1874 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (17/139). PCGS Population: (20/230). CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 3,538,00...
$180
1874 5C MS66 PCGS....
$2,640
1874 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population: (68/136). NGC Census: (33/85). CDN: $250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 3,538,00...
$408
1874 5C MS64 NGC. CAC. Housed in a Generation 5 fatty holder. NGC Census: (56/32). PCGS Population: (68/71). CDN: $500 Whsl...
$720
1874 5C -- Scratched -- ANACS Details. AU50. Mintage 3,538,000....
$41
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