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Only the 1879 and 1880 have lower mintages than this highly collectible 1881 in which 68,000 coins were minted originally. It is a tougher but accessible issue in all grades up to gem level where the coins become quite scarce. This date is known to have high-quality surfaces and pleasing eye appeal that, along with its scarcity, makes it very desirable.
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.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2884
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1881
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:
1881
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
68,800
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3811
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Coin Value History
1881 5c MS
Value By Grade
1881 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$8,250 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $7,000 | $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 |
1881 5C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 16 in 15, 322 finer (12/25). CDN: $380 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 68,8...
$415
1881 5C MS65 PCGS. ...
$3,294
1881 5C Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: 13 in 6, 384 finer (11/25). CDN: $235 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 6 . Mintage 68,800...
$293
1881 5C AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: 19 in 58, 150 finer (11/25). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 68,800. ...
$915
1881 5C VG8 NGC. NGC Census: 10 in 8, 175 finer (11/25). CDN: $300 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 68,800. ...
$324
1881 5C VF20 PCGS. PCGS Population: (12/304). Mintage 68,800. ...
$456
1881 5C XF40 NGC. CAC. CAC Population: (4/44). Mintage 68,800. ...
$630
1881 5C MS61 NGC....
$1,500
1881 5C AU55 ANACS. Mintage 68,800. ...
$690
1881 5C MS66 PCGS....
$4,320
1881 5c NGC AG-03
$235
1881 5C VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (7/138). PCGS Population: (10/285). CDN: $420 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 68,800. ...
$456
1881 5C VF35 NGC. NGC Census: (4/128). PCGS Population: (13/252). CDN: $465 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 68,800. ...
$516
1881 5C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (8/320 and 0/6+). NGC Census: (6/156 and 0/0+). CDN: $360 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fi...
$360
1881 5C Good 4 PCGS. PCGS Population: (13/372). NGC Census: (9/178). CDN: $230 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 4 . Mintage 68,...
$216
1881 5C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (5/106). PCGS Population: (14/170). CDN: $675 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 68,800. ...
$690
1881 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NCS. Unc Details. Mintage 68,800. ...
$810
1881 5C XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (27/198). NGC Census: (8/114). CDN: $530 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 68,800. ...
$576
1881 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS Population: (16/117). NGC Census: (9/66). CDN: $1,100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 68,800....
$1,380
5C 1881 PCGS MS67
$6,169
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
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]
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
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