Shield Nickels (1866-1883)

Shield Nickels

APMEX offers a superb selection of Shield Nickels, the first nickel five-cent piece struck. Designed by James B. Longacre, the Shield Nickel was the first nickel five-cent piece struck by the United States Mint. The coins were struck in 1866 and continued until 1883.

During the first two years of their minting (1866 and 1867), the coins were struck with rays between the stars on the reverse. The design featured 13 rays for the original 13 colonies, and it was not well received by the public. The rays were removed from the design in 1867.

Other Designs by James Longacre

The Shield Nickel design is similar to 2-Cent Piece, which Longacre also designed. Longacre was responsible for several of the most recognizable coin designs of the mid-19th century. Among them, Longacre's Indian Head Cent preceded the Shield Nickel, and he brought the same design sensibility to both series. Both coins were struck during a period of significant change in American coinage, as the Civil War drove shifts in metal composition across multiple series. The Indian Head Cent, for example, moved from copper-nickel to bronze in 1864, just two years before the Shield Nickel entered production.

Nickels from the U.S. Mint

Collecting nickels is great for beginners and numismatists alike. There are multiple compositions and numerous types and series with iconic designs that reflect the time spans they cover. The Shield Nickel was the first copper-nickel five-cent piece, issued from 1866 until 1883, when it was replaced by the Liberty Head Nickel. Introduced with an elegant depiction of Liberty and a Roman numeral “V” on the reverse, the Liberty Head Nickel is rich in history and intrigue. Notably, its early design without the word “Cents” led to the creation of the infamous “Racketeer Nickel,” adding to its collectible appeal.

Following the Liberty Head nickel, the Indian Buffalo nickel became the third copper Nickel, featuring a bold Native American portrait and an iconic buffalo design.

Modern collectors may also find Jefferson nickels appealing, as they were produced in large numbers and offer an accessible entry point to the world of U.S. Mint numismatics. Many of these coins were produced in very large quantities, like the 1964 Jefferson Nickels - Denver, for example. Due to this, their cost is only marginally more than their face value, making this coin series an accessible way to begin collecting more recent U.S. coins.