The Shield nickel introduced the copper-nickel five-cent coin in 1866. Its short series is divided by the removal of the reverse rays in 1867.
20 dated issues and 3 documented varieties are organized below.
High-resolution grading-image index
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With Rays
1866–1867; 75% Copper - 25% Nickel.
Designer: James B Longacre; diameter: 20.5 mm; weight: 5 g.
Without Rays
1867–1883; 75% Copper - 25% Nickel.
Designer: James B Longacre; diameter: 20.5 mm; weight: 5 g.
Dated issues
1866 P Shield Nickel1867 P Shield Nickel1867 P Shield Nickel1868 P Shield Nickel1869 P Shield Nickel1870 P Shield Nickel1871 P Shield Nickel1872 P Shield Nickel1873 P Shield Nickel - Closed 31873 P Shield Nickel - Open 31874 P Shield Nickel1875 P Shield Nickel1876 P Shield Nickel1877 P Shield Nickel - Proof Only1878 P Shield Nickel - Proof Only1879 P Shield Nickel1880 P Shield Nickel1881 P Shield Nickel1882 P Shield Nickel1883 P Shield Nickel