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.



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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)



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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.



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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



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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 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.Source: typesets.wikidot.comQuick Coinage FactsYears Minted: 1866-1883Mints: PhiladelphiaComposition: 0.750 copper, 0.250 nickelDiameter: 20.5 mmWeight: 5 gramsTotal Mintage: approx. 128,017,100Edge: plainTwo 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)Source: en.wikipedia.orgValue 5 cents (0.05 US dollars)Mass 5.000 g (0.1615 troy oz)Diameter 20.50 mm (0.8077 in)Edge PlainComposition75% copper25% nickelYears of minting 1866–1883All 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.Source: shieldnickels.usThe 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 -1883Mint Mark: noneComposition: 75% copper, 25% nickelWeight: 5 gramsDiameter: 20.5 mmEdge: plainDesigner: James B. LongacreSource: en.numista.comKM# 96FeaturesCountry United StatesYears 1866-1867Value 5 Cents = Half Dime (0.05 USD)Metal Copper-nickelWeight 5 gDiameter 20.5 mmEngraver James Barton LongacreShape RoundOrientation Coin alignment ↑↓