Shield Nickels were designed by James Longacre and minted from 1866 to 1883. All coins were made in Philadelphia. 1877 and 1878 Shield Nickels are scarce proof-only dates.
CAC. First year of issue and a very scarce, short-lived 'Rays' type. Just 600 proofs made in 1866 and 25 in 1867 with 'Rays'. This is a beautiful Gem example with a needle-sharp strike and flashy mirrored fields. Subtle pastel hues of gold , fuchsia, and green blend together and provide wonderful eye appeal. Housed in an early green label holder.
Lustrous with choice surfaces that have an attractive rose hue.
Vibrant luster with a faint golden hue. A modest 561,000 minted and very elusive in high grade.
Well struck with lustrous crisp nickel-white surfaces. Marks are few and trivial.
Well struck and lustrous.
Lustrous with light gold dusting.
Brilliant and reflective surfaces with nice eye appeal.
Intense blazing luster over essentially flawless surfaces with frosted design features and beautiful subtle pastel hues. Super quality with just a single 67+ Cameo grading finer at PCGS.
Sharply struck with no significant marks and vibrant satiny luster.
Sharply struck with satiny white luster and no significant marks. A tough coin at this level with a single MS-67 being the finest graded at PCGS.
CAC. Sharply struck with a blend of satiny white luster and a light gold hue. Marks are minor and trivial. A tough coin at this level with a single MS-67 being the finest graded at PCGS.
Sharply struck and lustrous.
CAC. Brilliant mirrored fields contrast nicely with lightly frosted design elements. Great eye appeal!
Sharply struck and lustrous with nickel-white surfaces.
Sharply struck and very flashy with bright deep mirrored surfaces that have subtle hues of rose and ice-blue.
CAC. A lovely Premium Gem with a light gold hue that illuminates brilliant mirrored fields and frosted design features. A proof-only date and the 'key' to the Shield Nickel series.
CAC. Beautiful nickel-white reflective fields and lightly frosted devices. Great eye appeal with no noteworthy marks!
CAC. A nice brilliant proof with frosted devices and reflective fields. Surfaces display splashes of light lemon-gold hue and a touch of light ice-blue tint. A proof-only date with just 2,350 minted.
Incredible quality with beautiful deep mirrored surfaces that have delicate iridescent hues of blue, gold, and lavender. A nearly perfect coin with outstanding eye appeal!
Brilliant white luster with a subtle hint of gold hue and a very sharp strike. A better date in all grades as only 68,800 were struck.