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First year of issue for both the Proof Shield Nickel Series and for the change of the 5 cent denomination from silver to nickel (both continue together until 1873). Extremely low mintage of 600 coins of which most were saved, making this issue scarce yet very accessible. Scarce in all grades and becoming rare as a high-end gem. Difficult to locate with cameo surfaces and a true rarity with deep cameo surfaces, as only a handful exist. Nice toners can be found with some searching.
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.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2889
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1866
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
5, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Rays
Coin Date:
1866
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
600
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1866-1867
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3817
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Body: Referring page: https://www2.greysheet.com/prices/item/1866-five-cents-proof-with-rays-shield-nickel/gsid/2889 GSID: 2889 Title: 1866 5c Rays PR
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Coin Value History
1866 5c Rays PR
Value By Grade
1866 5c Rays PR
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR67 |
|
$15,000 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $12,500 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1316_3020-2.20200624040933286.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $875 – $12,600
1867 5c Rays PR
Worth: $18,000 – $50,000
Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 PR [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/ha_com_1291_4375-0.20200718080538892.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $180 – $7,200
1867 5c No Rays PR
Worth: $180 – $1,980
1867 5c No Rays, Pattern Reverse, FS-1902 PR
Worth: $1,800 – $13,200
1868 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,600
1869 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,960
1870 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $1,410
1871 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $5,400
1872 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,600
1873 5c Closed 3 PR
Worth: $180 – $3,180
1874 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $3,360
1875 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $6,000
1876 5c PR
Worth: $180 – $2,640
1877 5c PR
Worth: $1,250 – $7,500
1866 5C Rays, JD-1, Low R.3, PR64 PCGS. Only one die pair is documented for the 1866 Rays proof. Dannreuther provides a min...
$2,312
1866 5C Rays PR65 PCGS. PCGS Population: 89 in 65, 48 finer (4/26). CDN: $2,200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR65. Mintage 600....
$2,684
1866 5C Rays PR62 PCGS. PCGS Population: 25 in 62, 265 finer (2/26). CDN: $1,200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR62. Mintage 600...
$1,403
1866 Shield Nickel. Rays. Proof-67 (NGC).
$7,800
1866 5C Rays PR61 NGC. NGC Census: (3/174). PCGS Population: (2/276). CDN: $1,000 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR61. Mintage 600...
$1,140
1866 5c PCGS/CAC Proof 66 (With Rays)
$2,850
Copper-Nickel Five Cent Proof Planchet, Double Curved Clips, NGC. From The Fred Weinberg Collection. ...
$149
1866 5C Rays PR63 PCGS. ...
$1,292
Multiple Coin Lot...
$17,825
1866 5C RAYS
$578
1866 Shield Nickel. Rays. JD-1. Rarity-3-. Proof-64 (PCGS).
$1,740
1866 5C Rays PR65 NGC. The NGC insert is hand-signed by longtime Guide Book editor Kenneth Bressett. NGC Census: (47/26). P...
$2,520
1866 5C Rays PR62 NGC. NGC Census: (13/167). PCGS Population: (24/254). PR62. Mintage 600. ...
$1,052
1866 Shield Nickel. Rays. Proof-67 (NGC).
$8,400
1866 5C Rays PR61 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (3/174). PCGS Population: (2/276). CDN: $1,000 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR61. Mintag...
$1,201
1866 5C Rays PR66 PCGS. ...
$2,280
1866 5C Rays--Rim Damaged--ANACS. Net PR60. The rim on ...
$1,495
1866 5C Rays PR63 PCGS. ...
$1,645
1866 5C Rays PR64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (87/129). NGC Census: (68/85). CDN: $1,560 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mintage 6...
$1,680
1866 5C Rays PR65 PCGS. This piece is housed is a green PCGS holder. PCGS Population: (89/44). Mintage 600....
$3,421
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