The Mighty Shield
1866-1883
The Shield nickel was the first five cent piece minted with a non silver alloy. Its composition is
.750 copper and .250 nickel The coin was designed by James B. Longacre the weight is of 5
grams.and its diameter is 20.5 mm slightly smaller than all Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson five cent
pieces which have a diameter of 21.2 mm. It has a plain edge and all the coins in the series were minted
in Philadelphia so there are no mint marked pieces, The harder metal composition required a high
striking pressure and was a contributing factor in the disappearance of the Rays in the coins second year. Even so the mint went though far more dies than they had on any pevious coin. The dies averaged from a low of 5000 strikes per die, and probably never exceeded 30000 strikes per die ,compared to a Morgan dollar at over 100000 strikes per die. The coin was minted for 18 years of which two years they were minted in proof only. The demand for so many dies made the mint rush its hubbing of these dies and is probably why so many
varrieties exist in this series. There is an abundace of patern coinage for this series as the mint searched for ways to solve the low die life problem.
1866-1867 Shield with Rays
Photo compliments of Howard Spindel
In 1866 there were 14,742,500 buisness strike coins minted. There were 125+ proofs minted. The
present value ranges from $17.50 in good to $200 in MS60 to $2350 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001. Finding a nice well struck example of this date is extremely hard.
In 1867 there were 2,019,000 with rays buisness strike coins minted. There were 25+ proofs minted. The with rays are $19 in good, $265 in MS60 and $3800 in MS 65 in the trends in early 2001.
1867-1883 Shield without Rays
In 1867 there were 28,890,500 with no rays buisness strike coins minted. There were 600+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $90 in MS60 to $650 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1868 there were 28,817,000 buisness strike coins minted. There were 600+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $90 in MS60 to $650 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1869 there were 16,395,000 buisness strike coins minted. There were 600+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $95 in MS60 to $650 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1870 there were 4,806,000 buisness strike coins minted. There were 1000+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $115 in MS60 to $900 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1871 there were 561,000 buisness strike coins minted. There were 960+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $30.00 in good to $275 in MS60 to $1250 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1872 there were 6,036,000 buisness strike coins minted. There were 950+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $125 in MS60 to $1000 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1873 Closed 3 there were 436,050 buisness strike coins minted. There were 1100+ proofs minted..The present value ranges for no rays as $22.50 in good to $225 in MS60 to $1100 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1873 Open 3 there were 4,113,950 buisness strike coins minted. The present value ranges for no rays as $12.50 in good to $115 in MS60 to $850 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1873 Large over small 3 only listed, its rareity precludes a valuation in most guides.and the
coin seldom is seen even at auction
In 1874 there were 3,538,000 buisness strike coins minted.There were 700+ proofs minted. The present value ranges $12.50 in good to $130 in MS60 to $1000 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1875 there were 2,097,000 buisness strike coins minted.There were 700+ proofs minted. The present value ranges $14.00 in good to $145 in MS60 to $1750 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1876 there were 2,530,000 buisness strike coins minted.There were 1150+ proofs minted. The present value ranges $12.50 in good to $130 in MS60 to $975 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1877 is one of the proof only versions and had a total number of 510+ pieces struck.
In 1878 is one of the proof only versions and had a total number of 2350 pieces struck.
In 1879 there were 29,100 buisness strike coins minted.There were 3200 proofs minted. The present value ranges $235 in good to $585 in MS60 to $1500 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1879 9 over 8 only listed extremely rare.
In 1880 there were 19,955 buisness strike coins minted.There were 3955 proofs minted. The present value ranges $290 in good to $1050 in MS60 to $3950 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1881 there were 72,375 buisness strike coins minted.There were 3,575 proofs minted. The present value ranges $140 in good to $560 in MS60 to $1150 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1882 there were 11,476,000 buisness strike coins minted.There were 3100 proofs minted. The present value ranges $8.00 in good to $100 in MS60 to $300 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1883 there were 1,456,919 buisness strike coins minted.There were 5419 proofs minted. The present value ranges $12.50 in good to $92 in MS60 to $625 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
In 1883 3 over 2 The present value ranges $65 in good to $350 in MS60 to $2850 in MS65 in the trends in early 2001
Check out Howard Spindel's page on this coin