U.S. Heritage Coins

Shield Nickel


1868 SHIELD NICKEL US 5 CENT 1868 SHIELD NICKEL US 5 CENT
$3.75 ( 6 Bids )
Time Left: 3h 26m
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1867 Shield Nickel w Rays VF in Grade 100 Original 1867 Shield Nickel w Rays VF in Grade 100 Original
$44.00 ( 9 Bids )
Time Left: 3h 58m
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1866 SHIELD NICKEL NICE COIN NICE GRADE 1866 SHIELD NICKEL NICE COIN NICE GRADE
$28.00 ( 13 Bids )
Time Left: 4h 36m
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1867 Nickel Five Cent Piece Shield Type No Rays 1867 Nickel Five Cent Piece Shield Type No Rays
$1.99 ( 1 Bid )
Time Left: 5h 33m
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1868 COPPER NICKEL FIVE CENT SHIELD TYPE COIN 1868 COPPER NICKEL FIVE CENT SHIELD TYPE COIN
$.99 ( 1 Bid )
Time Left: 5h 58m
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1873 ANACS EF45 Shield Nickel Open 3 1873 ANACS EF45 Shield Nickel Open 3
$48.45 ( 11 Bids )
Time Left: 7h
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1867 Shield Nickel VERY NICE COIN 1867 Shield Nickel VERY NICE COIN
$6.50 ( 7 Bids )
Time Left: 8h
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1868 Shield Nickel 1868 Shield Nickel
$.99 ( 1 Bid )
Time Left: 8h 16m
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1866 Shield Nickel W Rays 1866 Shield Nickel W Rays
$36.00 ( 9 Bids )
Time Left: 8h 59m
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RARE 1868 SHIELD NICKEL Cheap Shipping No Reserve C56 RARE 1868 SHIELD NICKEL Cheap Shipping No Reserve C56
$.07 ( 2 Bids )
Time Left: 9h 34m
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RARE 1869 SHIELD NICKEL Cheap Shipping No Reserve C57 RARE 1869 SHIELD NICKEL Cheap Shipping No Reserve C57
$.01 ( 1 Bid )
Time Left: 9h 35m
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8US Shield Nickels 18676869 No Reserve 8US Shield Nickels 18676869 No Reserve
$8.50 ( 2 Bids )
Time Left: 10h 16m
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The Shield Nickel is so named for the shield appearing on the head of the coin (with the number “5” on the obverse side). The coin was designed by the Mint’s chief engraver James B. Longacre, based on his similar design for the two-cent piece. The Shield Nickel was created in response to the Civil War era habit of hoarding gold and silver coins for their precious-metal worth. The only non-precious metal coin in use at the time was the cent. The other option was to use paper notes (called shinplasters), which were unpopular amongst merchants. The Shield Nickel’s original design had a circle of thirteen stars on the reverse side, which prompted complaints from many. The image was a little too close to the Confederate flag. Now, nickel is actually not an easy metal to strike, which is exactly why the cent was, at the time, being produced with a bronze alloy. We probably wouldn’t be calling them nickels if not for Joseph Wharton, a nickel magnate with some considerable political influence at the time. The coin was made with only 25% nickel and 75% copper, and still, the striking dies broke and had to be replaced on a pretty regular basis.The Shield Nickel is so named for the shield appearing on the head of the coin (with the number “5” on the obverse side). The coin was designed by the Mint’s chief engraver James B. Longacre, based on his similar design for the two-cent piece. The Shield Nickel was created in response to the Civil War era habit of hoarding gold and silver coins for their precious-metal worth. The only non-precious metal coin in use at the time was the cent. The other option was to use paper notes (called shinplasters), which were unpopular amongst merchants. The Shield Nickel’s original design had a circle of thirteen stars on the reverse side, which prompted complaints from many. The image was a little too close to the Confederate flag. Now, nickel is actually not an easy metal to strike, which is exactly why the cent was, at the time, being produced with a bronze alloy. We probably wouldn’t be calling them nickels if not for Joseph Wharton, a nickel magnate with some considerable political influence at the time. The coin was made with only 25% nickel and 75% copper, and still, the striking dies broke and had to be replaced on a pretty regular basis.
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