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The first five cent nickel, known as the Shield nickel, was struck in 1866 and featured a heraldic shield on the front with “In God We Trust” above. The reverse featured the denomination surrounded by 13 six-pointed stars, each separated by a ray, and “United States of America” printed above. The rays were removed in 1867, and the shield nickel continued to be produced without rays until 1883.
As this coin was made using a nickel alloy, which is harder than silver, completely-struck variations are harder to come by. Collectors especially value Shield nickels in which all of the vertical lines on the shield are fully-struck.

I started collecting coins when I was five years old, and I started dealing when I was 13 or 14. Most kids start wi… [more]

This online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a great way to get an overview… [read review or visit site]

An enormous database and online reference encyclopedia dedicated to U.S. coins. You'll be sure to find high res ima… [read review or visit site]

Home to the Society of U.S. Pattern collectors, this well-organized site provides in-depth information on pattern c… [read review or visit site]
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