richierich15
4h ago
WATCHES AND CLOCKS
Shield Nickel
Key Facts & Value
Key Fact
Description
A coin featuring a shield on its obverse, designed by James B. Longacre. The shield is adorned with stars, and often includes banners. The reverse typically displays the denomination, '5 CENTS', surrounded by a wreath. This coin was minted by the U.S. Mint and represents a significant period in American coinage history.
History
The Shield Nickel was the first five-cent coin made of the current 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy. Its introduction in 1866 followed the Coinage Act of that year, aiming to create a more durable and less easily counterfeited coin than the previous copper-nickel cent and fractional currency. It was minted for a relatively short period.
Facts
The Shield Nickel's design was a departure from previous U.S. coinage, symbolizing patriotism and national unity during the post-Civil War era. Despite its short production run, it laid the groundwork for future nickel coinage. Collectors often seek well-preserved examples, with dates and mint marks influencing rarity and value.
Value Fact
The value of a Shield Nickel varies greatly depending on its condition, date, and mint mark. Common dates in circulated condition might range from $5 to $50, while rarer dates or uncirculated examples can command hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Demand is driven by collectors of U.S. coinage and those interested in early nickel denominations.
Item Details
Official Details
Collectibles.com is operated by Collectbase Inc., a Delaware corporation. Collectible valuations, price estimates, and AI-assisted identifications are provided for informational and reference purposes only and do not constitute professional appraisals, financial advice, or guarantees of market value. Trademarks, card images, and intellectual property belonging to third-party rights holders are displayed solely for identification, valuation reference, and collection management purposes; Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any such rights holders. User-generated content reflects the views of individual community members and not those of Collectbase Inc. This platform may earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases made through third-party links. The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, and Collectbase Inc. shall not be liable for any damages arising from use of this platform or reliance on its content. For full details governing your use of this platform and our privacy practices, see our Terms of Service and PrivacyPolicy.
© 2026 Collectbase Inc. All rights reserved.
This site and associated apps contain copyrighted material including card images, trademarks, and text belonging to The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo, GAME FREAK inc., Wizards of the Coast, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, NHL Enterprises, L.P., Topps, Panini America, Inc., Upper Deck, and all other respective rights holders. Such material is displayed solely for the purposes of identification, pricing reference, collection management, and to facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of physical collectibles by collectors. Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the foregoing entities, and no challenge to their intellectual property rights or ownership is intended or implied.