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Coinage shortages during Civil War led to Shield 5¢ series
By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff
Nearly 75 years after the first silver 5-cent coin (Flowing Hair half dime) was struck, the copper-nickel Shield 5-cent coin... Read more
Shield 5 Cents
Coinage shortages during Civil War led to Shield 5¢ series
By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff
Nearly 75 years after the first silver 5-cent coin (Flowing Hair half dime) was struck, the copper-nickel Shield 5-cent coin began its relatively short (18 years) span from 1866 to 1883.
The date of authorization for the new composition 5-cent coin was May 16, 1866. Less than one month later on June 11, 1866, the coins were officially struck and released to the public. For seven years, the United States Mint struck two compositions of the 5-cent denomination, as production of the silver half dime continued through 1873.
The Shield 5-cent coin was designed and engraved by James B. Longacre. Its copper-nickel metallic content is 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. The edge of the coin is plain and because all of these 5-cent coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the coin has no Mint mark.
Collectors of this series have the choice of obtaining coins struck as Proof or as circulation strikes. However, coins dated 1877 and 1878 were struck only as Proof.
The design used during the initial year, 1866, features rays on the reverse extending outward from the 5. The Rays design was discontinued in 1867, with both Rays and No Rays versions struck.
The 1880 coin ranks as the No. 1 rarity as a circulation strike for the series. It is certainly a key date.
The only overdate in the series was struck during the last year of production for the series. The 1883/2 is a semi-key and desired by collectors in all circulated grades.
Besides the Proof 1877, the 1866 and 1867 Rays 5-cent coins are very popular among collectors. The key Proof of the series is the 1867 With Rays subtype, with an estimated 15 to 25 known pieces.
Shield 5 cents |
|
| Date of authorization: | May 16, 1866 |
| Dates of issue: | 1866-1883 |
| Designer/Engraver: | James B. Longacre |
| Diameter: | 20.50 mm/0.81 inch |
| Weight: | 5.00 grams/0.16 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint mark: | None |
Marketplace
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1867 5C No Rays MS66 PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-66 -
1881 5C MS63 PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-63 -
1866 Shield Nickel PCGS MS-66
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Price: $5,495.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS MS-66 -
1866 Shield Nickel PCGS PR-66 Cameo
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Price: $5,495.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS PR-66 Cameo
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1866 5C Rays -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (14/1389). PCGS | AU-50 | $129.25 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24054 | Details NGC |
| 1866 5C Rays -- Repunched Date and Obverse Die Clash -- MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $763.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3164 | PCGS |
| 1867 5C No Rays -- Whizzed -- ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. NGC Census: (5/737). PCGS | EF-40 | $60.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20043 | ANACS |
| 1867 5C No Rays AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (62/625). PCGS | AU-58 | $96.35 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20857 | NGC |
| 1868 5C -- Scratched -- ANACS. AU50 Details. NGC Census: (8/696). PCGS | AU-50 | $42.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20083 | ANACS |
| 1868 5C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (20/664). PCGS | AU-55 | $110.45 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20858 | NGC |
| 1869 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS | MS-62 | $293.75 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22551 | PCGS |
| 1869 5C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (149/105). PCGS | MS-64 | $238.53 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7291 | NGC |
| 1870 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $528.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7293 | PCGS |
| 1870 5C MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $1,645.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4050 | PCGS |
| 1871 5C AU55 PCGS. PCGS | AU-55 | $411.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7294 | PCGS |
| 1871 5C MS63 PCGS. Die clashed on each side. PCGS | MS-63 | $675.63 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7295 | PCGS |
| 1872 5C -- Environmental Damage, Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (3/212). PCGS | AU-50 | $40.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22676 | Details NGC |
| 1872 5C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS | F-12 | $65.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26049 | PCGS |
| 1873 5C Closed 3 MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $2,232.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3170 | PCGS |
| 1873 5C Closed 3 PR63 NGC. NGC Census: (49/257). PCGS | MS-63 | $282.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7302 | NGC |
| 1874 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (1/141). PCGS | AU-50 | $96.35 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28084 | NGC Details |
| 1874 5C MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $1,410.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3171 | PCGS |
| 1875 5C AU55 NGC. FS-011. NGC Census: (2/132). PCGS | AU-55 | $188.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7524 | NGC |
| 1875 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (19/86). PCGS | MS-63 | $282.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7525 | NGC |
| 1876 5C MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $1,116.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3172 | PCGS |
| 1876 5C PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (102/115). PCGS | MS-64 | $381.88 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7538 | NGC |
| 1877 5C PR62 NGC. | MS-62 | $2,585.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4068 | NGC |
| 1877 5C PR64 NGC. | MS-64 | $3,290.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3182 | NGC |
| 1878 5C PR64 NGC. | MS-64 | $1,424.10 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3184 | NGC |
| 1878 5C PR65 NGC. | MS-65 | $1,527.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3185 | NGC |
| 1879 5C MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $2,820.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4053 | PCGS |
| 1879 5C MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $3,871.63 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3173 | PCGS |
| 1880 5C -- Scratched -- ANACS. Fine 12 Details. NGC Census: (0/34). PCGS | F-12 | $1,145.63 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7526 | ANACS |
| 1880 5C PR63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $411.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7541 | PCGS |
| 1881 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (3/99). PCGS | AU-50 | $528.75 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7498 | NGC Details |
| 1881 5C MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $2,585.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3175 | PCGS |
| 1882 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (136/519). PCGS | MS-63 | $152.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26049 | NGC |
| 1882 5C MS66 PCGS. | MS-66 | $1,175.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3176 | PCGS |
| 1883 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (113/1347). PCGS | AU-58 | $123.38 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22035 | NGC |
| 1883 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (119/1353). PCGS | AU-58 | $90.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20038 | NGC |
Add Portfolio
Auctions
- 1947-D 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2267/4962). PCGS $69
- 1971-S $1 Silver MS66 PCGS. PCGS $28
- 1942 25C PR66 PCGS. PCGS $100
- 1915 10C -- Obv Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/258). PCGS $132
- 1893 $1 Fine 12 NGC. NGC Census: (31/3667). PCGS $165
- 1936 50C Robinson MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (80/2438). PCGS $112
- 1892-O $1 -- Rim Damage -- NGC Details. VG. NGC Census: (1/4484). PCGS $32
- 1900-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (17932/7545). PCGS $74
- 1889 $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (13954/2166). PCGS $79
- 1938-D 5C MS66 PCGS. PCGS $50
- 1861 3CS AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (25/676). PCGS $188
- 1923 $1 MS62 PCGS. Ex: McClaren Collection II. PCGS $40
- 1942-D 10C MS66 Full Bands NGC. NGC Census: (1295/650). PCGS $47
- 1904-S $20 MS63 PCGS. CAC. PCGS $2,350
- 1941-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (2083/1375). PCGS $112
- 1900-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (17932/7545). PCGS $74
- 1884-S $1 AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (809/4319). PCGS $200
- 1909-S 1C S Over Horizontal S -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. FS-1501. NGC Census: (2/52). PCGS $165
- 1910-D $10 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (208/54). PCGS $6,756
- 1837 H10C No Stars, Large Date (Curl Top 1) -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. VG. NGC Census: (1/999). PCGS $36
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
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2.50 dollar
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3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
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10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
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20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
