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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.
Catalog Information
GSID:
77933
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:
no 1883/2
Variety 2:
18 Coins
Coin Date:
Shield Nickel Set
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1866-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
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Body: Referring page: https://www2.greysheet.com/prices/item/shield-nickel-set-value-business-strike/gsid/77933 GSID: 77933 Title: Shield Nickel Set 5c no 1883/2, 18 Coins MS
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Coin Value History
Shield Nickel Set 5c no 1883/2, 18 Coins MS
Value By Grade
Shield Nickel Set 5c no 1883/2, 18 Coins MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
GSID:77933
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Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$189,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $156,500 | $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 – $10,800
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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