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Shield nickels were struck from 1866 through 1883 and designed by James B. Longacre. These 75% copper, 25% nickel coins, the first 5-cent pieces with this composition, circulated concurrently with the physically smaller but equally denominated half dime, which also has a face value of five cents.
Generally speaking, the scarcest Shield nickels were minted from 1877 through 1881, with the 1866, 1867 Without Rays, 1868, 1869, and 1882 issues being the most commonly encountered dates across the grading spectrum. The rarest issues by date are the 1877 and 1878 Shield nickels, which are proof-only issues with a combined mintage of less than 3,000 pieces.
Shield nickel varieties include the 1867 Rays and 1867 Without Rays, with the former showcasing rays between the stars that encircle the large numeral 5 on the coin's reverse. Earlier into production that year, the rays were removed, leaving only stars around the '5.' Another set of important varieties are found on 1873 nickels with the Closed 3 and Open 3, as evidenced in the fourth numeral of the date. The 1873 Open 3 is far more common than the 1873 Closed 3. All Shield nickels were made at the Philadelphia Mint.
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.
Book Reference
Designer: James B. Longacre. Weight: 5 grams. Composition: .750 copper, .250 nickel. Diameter: 20.5 mm. Edge: Plain. Mint: Philadelphia.
Key to Collecting: Nickel five-cent pieces of the Shield type With Rays were made only in 1866 and early in 1867. Great problems developed with striking the design details properly, and it was thought that the rays contributed to the situation, taking metal flow that might be used to fill in the obverse shield details. Accordingly, the rays were dropped in early 1867, isolating this as a short-lived type. 1866 Shield nickels are fairly plentiful, and VF to AU coins can be found easily. Nearly all are weakly struck in one area or another. Accordingly, finding a choice one will require patience. Most are in lower grades, MS-60 to MS-63. Choice specimens of the 1867 With Rays are rare; gems are elusive, and if sharply struck with smooth, high-quality fields, are quite rare.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Usually with areas of light striking. Key areas for inspection include the horizontal stripes in the shield, the leaves in the wreath, and on the reverse, the centers of the stars. Coins struck from well-used dies are apt to have grainy or irregular fields. Die cracks are seen on most coins (and do not affect the value one way or the other, and in some instances can be interesting to observe).
Proof Coins: Proofs are very rare. Single Proofs were available for 10¢ each from the Mint in 1866, but it seems that little notice was taken of them. Of the 1867 With Rays, it is likely that fewer than two dozen Proofs are known—a classic rarity. Proofs are usually well struck and fairly attractive, but there are exceptions, and it will pay to study carefully any piece offered.
Catalog Information
GSID:
72351
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, [Date]
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
Variety 2:
1866-1867
Coin Date:
Shield Nickel
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 #:
3789
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Coin Value History
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
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 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 MS
Worth: $19 – $2,640
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
1867 5C Rays, AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: 51 in 50, 708 finer (12/25). CDN: $210 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 2,01...
$252
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
1866 5C Shield, Rays, Repunched Date, FS-302, S-3, VF 25 ANACS. Mintage 14,742,500....
$720
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
1866/1866 5C Rays, Repunched Date, FS-302, ANACS Good 4. All four digits are boldly repunched far east of the primary digi...
$119
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 MS67 NGC....
$16,200
1866 5C Shield, Rays VF20 ANACS. Mintage 14,742,500....
$68
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