How come nobody likes Shield Nickels?

Russ · May 6, 2004 5:15AM

I was cruising around over in the registry sets, and just noticed that there are only five sets registered for Shield Nickels. I think the coins are pretty cool - they look a lot like Two Cent Pieces. Why are they not popular? Is it expensive to complete a set? Is it the design? Seems to be pretty neglected right now which, sometimes, can be a good thing.

Russ, NCNE

BigD5 · May 6, 2004 5:17AM

I like 'em. Not registry quality type of stuff, but nice unc.'s.

Really a neat series if you are into overdates, repunched mintmarks etc... Plenty of die cracks too.

solid · May 6, 2004 5:21AM

I like'm fine! One of these days I may delve into them as I love varieties!

EvilMCT · May 6, 2004 5:24AM

I like the shield series alot. I don't have 'em in plastic tho.

Ken

dbldie55 · May 6, 2004 5:26AM

Very tough set to complete. The '79,'80 and '81 business strikes are very low mintage. There are two proof only issues, with one having a mintage of 510.

I am sure if sunnywood sees this, he can give you a tremendous rundown of the series.

JrGMan2004 · May 6, 2004 5:33AM

Why don't people like Capped Bust Half Dimes? Low Supply, MS grades are upwards of $400... original, undamaged pieces are difficult to find... many varieties and die marriages... but yet only 2 sets registered... and both sets are the same person, and same coin... one in basic set, one in varieties set.......

Cocoinut · May 6, 2004 5:36AM

IMO, they're ignored by many because the design is so plain. I like them in MS when you can find them with nice luster; ditto the cameo proofs.

Jim

dorkkarl · May 6, 2004 5:37AM

SSSHhhhhh!!!

K S

meos1 · May 6, 2004 5:46AM

I got my first one this past week. It was a XF but net graded to F for damage on the reverse. I like the design alot. I don't do plastic though no need to. Its not a counterfieters piece, there are no pieces that require a authenticity for example, DDO, Its either priced where it should or not. If it is making me think take me home and I feel that a fair exchange is in place Viola. Don't need plastic to tell me that. I got a no rays!!!

Dan

Elcontador · May 6, 2004 5:57AM

Russ, hardly anyone likes Shield Nickels because they are the Susie B's of classic coinage. The design is an unimaginative copy of the Two Cent Piece. More importantly, almost all of them are, to quote Bo Diddley, "whooped by the ugly stick."

I don't think I've ever seen this series move up in price.

This is the most uniformly ugly series of classic coins I've ever seen. Look at the Uncs. Well, the Uncs I saw were all barf-bag material. I wound up getting a PF 65, which was the nicest one I saw at Long Beach that day (needed one for my type set or I wouldn't have bought it), but it definitely a "hold your nose" purchase.

This is the only series of coinage I have seen that make the average, ugly, urine-toned, zero eye-appeal, Unc. Liberty Nickel look attractive. Even most of the PF Shield Nickels I've seen look dead, have either haze or uneven surfaces with yellow-brown blotches on them. I could get more graphic, but Carol would get mad at me.

If you ever see an attractive one that is genuine, write a check for it, and fast. Don't even look at the grade on the slab. If you don't, I will.

CarlWohlforth · May 6, 2004 6:03AM

I like all nickels. I like cameo proofs or proof like business strikes. Almost all the w/ rays ones were struck with cracked dies. I guess that is why the removed the rays.

DominusDeus · May 6, 2004 6:18AM

i like shield nickels, but i can't really afford them. I like all the odd denomination coinage, actually. But lack of funds prevent me from having much fun with them.

Shamika · May 6, 2004 6:28AM

"I think the coins are pretty cool - they look a lot like Two Cent Pieces. Why are they not popular?"

Russ,

I think you just asnwered your own question. Seriously!

DAM · May 6, 2004 6:51AM

I like Shield Nickels, but don't collect the series. This is the nicest mint state Shield I have. The image was done with a scanner. Doesn't do the coin justice.

TheLiberator · May 6, 2004 7:26AM

I love them!!! (Surprise!

I love the rays pattern. They look like neat gaming tokens! Everyone talks about how ugly they are and just don't see it. I think they are really neat!

p.s.: Still looking for a choice 1867 rays ms64! I have one I am looking at from a member here but I haven't "pulled the trigger" yet. Are there anymore looking for a good home?!

Russ · May 6, 2004 7:30AM

<< <i>"I think the coins are pretty cool - they look a lot like Two Cent Pieces. Why are they not popular?"

Russ,

I think you just asnwered your own question. Seriously! >>

Hey! I think there's a slam in there!

Russ, NCNE

nalamolly5 · May 6, 2004 7:36AM

because they do not have an AH variety!

airplanenut · May 6, 2004 9:35AM

Shield nickels ROCK

The color's a bit off on these photos, but who cares...

wjd283 · May 6, 2004 9:45AM

I like them.I've got a couple circ examples,but the uncs are somewhat beyond my budget.

northcoin · May 6, 2004 10:45AM

They look like darkside coins. Reminds me of a cheap imitation of the Pillar Dollars and the coats of arms on many a British Coin. Is that suppose to be some type of half formed iron cross on top of the "shield?" The over sized "5" makes them look like turn of the century subway or contemporary Chucky Cheese tokens. Clearly designed to be used and abused. The shield looks like a harp with clumps of bananas growing out of its head. The side by side stars and the rays don't even make sense. You see stars at night. The suns rays shine during the day. A coin that only a mother (and a true coin collector) could love.

Chrysta · May 6, 2004 11:02AM

I like them too, but then I like everything. Not having the budget to buy absolutely everything I like in MS, I bought a very nice ANACS AU50 example at one of the ANA shows. It has just a little bit of luster, and oh-so-barely-there-with-a-three-degree-tilt toning. It's one of my favorite coins, and I don't remember what I paid for it, but it was probably around $50. Inspection with a loupe revealed lots of nifty little die cracks. One of the coins I most like to take out and stare at, and cheap enough to keep in the house!

RotatedRainbows · May 6, 2004 11:46AM

I own three of them all rotated die errors of course, here is the best of the group. it has a nice prooflike obverse with a heavily polished reverse to the point of looking cleaned.

JrGMan2004 · May 6, 2004 11:52AM

Rick Kay has a really nice Shield Nickel Pattern struck in Copper that looks awesome, has some rainbowing in the shield... looks spectacular!

Baley · May 6, 2004 2:57PM

Still looking for a choice 1867 rays ms64!

they're tough! you might be looking a long time...

here's a "slider" to tide you over.. (NFS)

I like these coins, dig the die cracks that are prevalant, I agree they're underrated as a series.

dorkkarl · May 6, 2004 9:56PM

it's 1 series i don't collect by date or grade, but rather by interesting die characterstics. a 8x loupe is your best friend for shield nickels. check out the frequent die cracks & rim cuds - and endlessly fascinating series.

K S

How come nobody likes Shield Nickels?

Comments

Leave a Comment