How to Identify the Shield Nickel

What It Is

The Shield Nickel, struck from 1866 to 1883, was the first five-cent coin made from a copper-nickel alloy, replacing the silver half dime. Designed by James B. Longacre, it introduced a heraldic shield motif that gave the coin its name.

Obverse (Front) Design

The obverse features a large Federal shield with vertical stripes, crossed by two arrows below and topped with a cross-like ornament, symbolizing strength through unity. The date appears below the shield.

Reverse (Back) Design

The reverse shows a large numeral "5" surrounded by stars, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border. In 1866 and part of 1867, small rays (short lines) were placed between the stars, giving this design the nickname "Rays" variety. Because the rays caused striking problems and shortened die life, the Mint removed them partway through 1867, creating the "No Rays" variety that continued for the rest of the series.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

Shield Nickels measure 20.5 mm in diameter and weigh 5.00 grams, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, the same alloy later used for the Liberty Head and Buffalo nickels. The edge is plain.

Mint Marks

All Shield Nickels were struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, so none carry a mint mark.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The two collectible varieties, Rays and No Rays, are told apart by examining the reverse field between the stars: small raised rays present means the Rays variety (limited to 1866 and early 1867), while a plain, ray-free field indicates the No Rays type. Compared to the later Liberty Head "V" Nickel, the Shield Nickel is easy to distinguish by its shield-and-numeral design rather than a portrait and Roman numeral.

Judging Condition at a Glance

The shield's vertical stripes and the horizontal band across its top are the first areas to flatten with wear, along with the rays on early examples, which were prone to weak striking even on new coins. On the reverse, check the numeral "5" and surrounding stars for sharpness; low points where the shield meets the field often retain detail longest and are useful for judging overall wear.

Authenticity Notes

Shield Nickels are not a common target for counterfeiting given their generally modest values, but repunched dates and doubled dies exist as legitimate die varieties rather than alterations. Because genuinely weak strikes are common on this series, a soft-looking shield or faint rays does not necessarily indicate wear or a problem coin; comparing the overall luster and edge details helps separate a weak strike from a genuinely circulated example.