Shield Nickel 1866—1883

The Shield Nickel was a five-cent coin that was minted in the United States from 1866 to 1883. It was the first nickel five-cent coin ever produced by the U.S. Mint. The coin derived its name from the prominent shield design on its obverse (front) side.

In the mid-19th century, the U.S. Mint faced a shortage of silver coins due to the increasing demand for small-denomination coins during the Civil War. This led to the exploration of alternative metals for coinage, including nickel. The nickel alloy used for the Shield Nickel consisted of 75% copper and 25% nickel, giving it a silver-like appearance.

The Shield Nickel was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint at the time. Longacre's design featured a large shield on the obverse, which was surrounded by stars representing the Union states. The shield design was intended to symbolize the strength and unity of the United States during a period of post-Civil War reconstruction.

The reverse (back) of the coin displayed a large numeral "5" encircled by a wreath made up of various agricultural products, including wheat, corn, and cotton. The design elements were surrounded by the inscriptions "United States of America" and "Five Cents."

The Shield Nickel faced several challenges during its production. The high relief of the shield design caused problems with the striking process, leading to issues such as weak strikes and uneven surfaces. Over time, modifications were made to the design to address these problems, including reducing the relief and adding additional detail.

In 1883, the Shield Nickel was replaced by the Liberty Head Nickel, also known as the "V Nickel," which featured a left-facing portrait of Liberty on the obverse and a Roman numeral "V" on the reverse. The change in design was primarily due to concerns over counterfeiting and the desire for a more artistic and updated look.

Today, the Shield Nickel is considered a fascinating and historically significant coin in U.S. numismatics. Its limited production period and unique design make it a sought-after collector's item.

Key Dates

1866: The first year of production for the Shield Nickel is considered a key date. It had a mintage of only 14,742 pieces, making it one of the scarcest issues of the series.

1877: The 1877 Shield Nickel is another highly desirable key date. It had a low mintage of just 852,500 coins. This issue is particularly sought after in higher grades.

1878: While the mintage of the 1878 Shield Nickel was relatively high at 2,350,000 coins, it is still considered a key date due to its scarcity in higher grades. Many examples of this year's issue have significant wear or damage.

1880: The 1880 Shield Nickel is another key date that is challenging to find in higher grades. It had a mintage of 16,000,000 coins, but most surviving examples tend to be in lower grades.