NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECE 1867-1883 Shield, Without Rays
Description
Who would believe even the first Nickels were made more of copper than of nickel. The rays were eliminated from the previous style due to difficulty in preserving detail when struck. Other than that change, the design is similar to the 1866 style. However, Shield nickels of this type are generally better struck than earlier pieces, although the majority of surviving coins still show weakness in one area or another.
Die breakage was a common occurrence, and often inspection with a magnifying glass will reward the viewer with a glimpse of a myriad of tiny cracks, which lend interest to a coin. From 1867 through 1883 coinage was continuous, although in 1877 and 1878 no business strikes were produced; the issues of those two years were limited to Proofs for collectors.
Numismatists will have no difficulty obtaining a common date such as most years from 1867 through 1876, and also 1882 and 1883, in any grade desired from Good through AU. Uncirculated pieces are scarce and superb Uncirculated pieces are rare.
Valuation
- COIN NAME
- NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECE 1867-1883 Shield, Without Rays
- DESIGNED BY
- James Barton Longacre
- ISSUE DATE
- 1867-1883
- COMPOSITION
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- DIAMETER
- 20.5 mm
- WEIGHT
- 77.16 grains (5 grams)
- EDGE
- Plain
- BUS MINT
- 111,256,110
- PROOF MINT
- 31,000 (estimated)
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