
US - 1866-1867 - Union Shield Nickel - Rays
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1866-1867 - Union Shield Nickel - Rays
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1866-1867 - Union Shield Nickel - Rays Coin Composition | |||||||||||||
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Metal | USD/Pound | USD/Troy Ounce | USD/Gram | Grams/Coin | USD/Coin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Copper | $2.091 | $0.143 | $0.005 | 3.75 g | $0.017 |
Nickel | $4.494 | $0.308 | $0.010 | 1.25 g | $0.012 |
Precious and Base Metal Melt Value For Each Coin: | $0.029 | ||||
Combined Precious and Base Metal Melt Value For 1 Coins: | $0.029 |
YEAR | IMG | COIN NAME | COIN GRADE |
---|---|---|---|
1866 |
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Shield Nickel with Rays - RPD | PCGS:VF 35 |

COIN TYPE DESCRIPTION | |
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Region: | US |
Category: | Nickel |
Coin Type: | 1866-1867 - Union Shield Nickel - Rays |
Years Minted: | 1866-1867 |
Mint Marks: | NONE (P) |
Denomination: | 5C |
Obverse Design: | Shield representing the United States Lettering: IN GOD WE TRUST YEAR |
Obverse Designer: | James Barton Longacre |
Reverse Design: | Denomination surrounded by stars, separated by rays Lettering: UNITED SATES OF AMERICA 5 ·CENTS· |
Reverse Designer: | James Barton Longacre |
1866-1867 - Union Shield Nickel with Rays
The Shield nickel was the first United States five-cent piece to be made out of copper-nickel, the same alloy of which American nickels are struck today. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin was issued from 1866 until 1883, when it was replaced by the Liberty Head nickel. The coin takes its name from the motif on its obverse, and was the first five-cent coin referred to as a "nickel"—silver pieces of that denomination had been known as half dimes. REF Shield Nickel: 1866-1883 Source: typesets.wikidot.com Quick Coinage Facts Years Minted: 1866-1883 Mints: Philadelphia Composition: 0.750 copper, 0.250 nickel Diameter: 20.5 mm Weight: 5 grams Total Mintage: approx. 128,017,100 Edge: plain Two major varieties exist for the series. Initially (1866), the reverse design featured rays between the thirteen stars and radiating outward from the 5 to form an encircling wreath (Variety 1). The hardness of nickel made minting difficult so the rays were removed later in 1867 to increase minting rates (Variety 2). Variety 1 with Rays (1866 - 1867) Variety 2 No Rays (1867 - 1883) REF Shield nickel Source: en.wikipedia.org Value 5 cents (0.05 US dollars) Mass 5.000 g (0.1615 troy oz) Diameter 20.50 mm (0.8077 in) Edge Plain Composition 75% copper 25% nickel Years of minting 1866–1883 All pieces struck at the Philadelphia mint, without mintmark. The Shield nickel series has yielded a large number of varieties. Howard Spindel, a leading expert on Shield nickels, notes that Shield nickel dies produced far fewer coins than other coin dies, as the dies wore out so fast that the Mint was continually under great pressure to produce new ones. According to Spindel, many dies were hastily and carelessly produced, producing numerous minor varieties. REF Shield Nickel Specifications Source: shieldnickels.us The first five cent coin struck using nickel as part of the composition was the Shield Nickel. These 5 cent pieces weighed 5 grams, or 77 grains. Their composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel, an alloy which results in a gray appearance. The diameter of this denomination is 20.5 mm, and all have a plain edge. Dates: 1866 -1883 Mint Mark: none Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel Weight: 5 grams Diameter: 20.5 mm Edge: plain Designer: James B. Longacre REF 5 Cents "Union Shield" Source: en.numista.com KM# 96 Features Country United States Years 1866-1867 Value 5 Cents = Half Dime (0.05 USD) Metal Copper-nickel Weight 5 g Diameter 20.5 mm Engraver James Barton Longacre Shape Round Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓ REF |
Precious Metals: packetizer
Base Metals Last Updated: 09-01-2016