Category: shield nickels

The 1873 Shield Nickel (Buy on eBay) had a slight design change during the year, creating two different varieties. The last numeral “3” in the date appeared somewhat closed at the open end, making it appear like an “8”. The digit was altered to make the ends more open. Thus the “close 3” and “open […]

The 1872 Shield Nickel (Buy on eBay) was produced at only the Philadelphia Mint, like all other issues of the series. It was produced for circulation with a mintage of 6,036,000 and in proof version with an estimated mintage of 950 pieces. Coin Specifications

The 1871 Shield Nickel (Buy on eBay) had the first mintage of the series that fell below the one million mark. The final mintage was 561,000. The 1871 Shield Nickel carries a premium over common dates of the series, reflecting its more limited availability. Coin Specifications

The 1870 Shield Nickel (Buy on eBay) showed another decline from the mintage of the prior years with a mintage of 4,806,000. Despite the fall from the higher levels of earlier years, examples of this date do not carry a premium. Mintages for Shield Nickels would fall to much lower levels by comparison near the […]

After two years of mintages near 29 million, the 1869 Shield Nickel (Buy on eBay) showed a decline in production to 16,395,000 coins. Like all Shield Nickels, this entire amount was produced at the Philadelphia Mint. An estimated 600 pieces were also struck in proof. Coin Specifications