The Shield nickel introduced the copper-nickel five-cent coin in 1866. Its crowded reverse changed almost immediately, creating With Rays and Without Rays types and a compact Philadelphia-only series rich in die study.
This guide covers Shield nickels dated 1866–1883. Silver half dimes, three-cent nickels, and the succeeding Liberty Head five-cent design remain separate series.
Core specifications
- Issue period
- 1866–1883
- Catalog mints
- 1
- Reported catalog mintage
- 128,040,239
- Composition
- 75% Copper - 25% Nickel
- Diameter
- 20.5 mm
- Weight
- 5 g
A new five-cent coin finds a workable design
The copper-nickel five-cent denomination began in 1866 with James B. Longacre's Shield design, while the older silver half dime still existed as a separate denomination.
Rays between the reverse stars appeared in 1866 and part of 1867, then disappeared. Both reverse formats belong to 1867, making that year the clearest entry point into the series' design and production changes.
Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type
Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.
The main portrait and date
A shield beneath a cross carries horizontal and vertical lines, framed by a wreath and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The date is below.
Denomination, subject, and mint mark
A large numeral 5 sits within a ring of stars. The first type adds rays between the stars; the revised type removes them. No mint mark appears on this Philadelphia-only series.
Where the cataloged coins were made
Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.
- P — Philadelphia: 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883; 128,040,239. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.
Representative issues that explain the series
A two-coin type set shows the central design change. Date collectors can then study proof-only years and cataloged repunched-date and overdate varieties without losing the major-type framework.
- 1866 P — 14,742,500. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1867 P — 2,019,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1867 P — 28,890,500. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1877 P - Proof Only — 900. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1879 P — 29,100. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1883 P — 1,456,919. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences
The current catalog records 3 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.
The issue catalog keeps all 3 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.
Issue catalog
From one type coin to a complete catalog
- One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
- Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
- Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
- Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.
A note on catalog records
This page uses 20 issue records, 3 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.
Sources
- Nickel: Designs and History — United States Mint
- Shield Nickel category reference — PCGS CoinFacts