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Proof versions of the Shield nickel were struck during every year of the series run from 1866 through 1883. The Shield nickel, designed by James B. Longacre, became America's first copper-nickel five-cent coin and is the forerunner of the nickel that we use today in commerce.
Proof Shield nickels are generally scarce, with between 600 and 3,000 pieces struck during any given year, with a few exceptions. On the high end of proof production is the 1883 proof Shield nickel, with 5,419 specimens struck. On the low side is the 1867 Rays proof Shield nickel, which saw a mintage of merely 25 pieces.
There are a few interesting notes about proof Shield nickels. The extraordinarily scarce 1867 Without Rays Pattern Reverse Shield nickel is one of the most challenging issues. The 1877 and 1878 are proof-only dates for the Shield nickel and thus trade at much higher levels due to pressure from date-set collectors. Also of note is the scarce 1879/8 proof overdate, though estimates by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) suggest this variety is probably about as common, or only a little less so, than the so-called normal date.
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:
72353
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:
Proof
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Rays
Variety 2:
1866-1867
Coin Date:
Shield Nickel
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1866-1867
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3816
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Body: Referring page: https://www2.greysheet.com/prices/item/shield-nickel-with-rays-five-cents-type-coin-proof-strike/gsid/72353 GSID: 72353 Title: Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]
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Coin Value History
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]
Value By Grade
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 PR [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
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 |
1866 5c Rays PR
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
1867 5C Rays PR63 PCGS. JD-1, R.6....
$23,400
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
1867 Shield Nickel. Rays. Proof--Environmental Damage (NGC).
$16,891
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
1867 5c PCGS/CAC Proof 63 (With Rays)
$33,300
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
1867 5C Rays PR66 PCGS. Dannreuther-1. ...
$40,800
1866 5C Rays--Rim Damaged--ANACS. Net PR60. The rim on ...
$1,495
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
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