shield nickels

mbbiker

I'm just wondering if anyone collects or has an interest in the varities of reverses on the 1868 shield nickels. I'm talking about the ones on pages 214-216 in cherrypickers guide?

Blackhawk

I look for them at shows and on Ebay. If the price is right I might buy. I bought a VG/F on an Ebay buy-it-now for $12.00 that I believe is a type 5 reverse. It's currently at ANACS and hopefully will turn out to be just that.

I don't think that there's a whole lot of excitement about the shield nickel in general, much less the varieties.

RELLA

I've never been a big follower of minor (or major) varieties, but I am curious as to what the differences are...

Blackhawk,

In general I would agree with you, but when it comes to high grade examples of the key and semi-key dates there has certainly been some interest lately. Try finding an MS 1880...or better yet; try paying for it if you find it!

RELLA

mbbiker

Why do you think their is such a small following of shield nickels. Lots of people like the 2cent peice and the obverse looks almost the same.

dorkkarl

i love shield nickels. for the longest time, i had no idea they were smaller in diameter than modern nick's, till i compared em one day. not much into varieties, but many of them have dramatic die cracks all over em, i guess becuase the metal was so hard it would fracture the dies easily.

i'd keep this one quiet, it's an easy series to work on , and the coins are way underpriced. i say that the fewer people catch on to em, the better off for us who collect them. ditto 2c and 3c coins.

K S

Flash

I've got an 1868 Shield nickel graded MS63, but I know nothing about the different varieties for that year. What should I be looking for?

mbbiker

Look at the rev. If the star in the 12:00 position is pointed to the E in STATES it's the more common Reverse of 1867. If it points to the S it is the reverse of 1868 The varieties are...
Var. 1 - has one broken letter C in CENTS Value in MS-60 $110.00
Var. 2 - two broken letters C and S in CENTS $160.00
Var. 3 - Three broken letters C&S in CENTS and S in STATES $475.00
Var. 4 - Four broken letters C&S in CENTS, S in STATES and D of UNITED $225.00
Var. 5 - No broken letters $700.00

All info is from THE CHERRYPICKERS GUIDE TO RARE DIE VARIETIES FOURTH EDITION-VOLUME ONE
BY: Bill Fivaz, NLG and J.T. Stanton

I hope this helps

Flash

It points to the E. Rats! Thanks for the info.

littlewicher

I love them! Check out this one on Ebay! I love the original toning on it.Link