Some thoughts on circulated Shield Nickels.

291fifth

Have you ever tried to find problem-free Shield Nickels in XF-AU. Try it some time as I did today. At a local show of about 30 dealers I found exactly 1 nice high circulated grade shield nickel, a raw 1867 RAYS in XF-40. Talk about an under-rated series!

nickel

also , most offerings are 1866 , 1867 , 1868 , 1882 ,and 1883 . Any other dates are less common in the very good to ex.fine condition . give me a few years to corner the 1877 through 1881 dates .

mojorizn

As a nickel fanatic, I can sympathize. One of the best things a newbie can study is how to distinguish between cleaned and original coins. With the popularity of Buffalo nickels, it's a must. When I decided to expand into other nickel series I discovered that the same could be said for almost any pre 1930 series.

Shield nickels and the tough key and semi key Liberty's are very tough. Pick 'em up now is all I can say!

Mojo

roadrunner

Good luck with the 1879, 1880, and 1881. Short of rubbing down a common proof example I don't know if these are out there in any quantity at all. The 1880 is probably a R-6 in circ. In XF/AU it's probably a strong R7. It makes the low mintage quarters and halves of the 1879-1890 era look common in comparison.

roadrunner

mojorizn

L&C has a raw 1881 in AU for $550 in their new catalog.