This coin was minted from 1866 to 1883. The design was actually a shield with the cross of the Order of Calatrava at the top, flanked by a wreath on both sides.

The coin's original reverse design had a circle of 13 stars, with rays between each pair of stars.

These were removed in 1868. The Shield nickel was quite effective in replacing the Half Dimes, as its base metal composition discouraged hoarding and caused it to circulate very widely.

The half dime was thus discontinued in 1873. When Charles E. Barber became the new Chief Engraver, he set about placing his own designs on U.S. coinage, and the Shield nickel was replaced with Barber's Liberty Head nickel in 1883.

1867 Shield Nickel

Shield Nickel - Closing Soon

1869 Shield Nickel

US $9.99
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1866 Shield Nickel

US $19.99
End Date: Wednesday Dec-03-2008 18:51:01 PST
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1867 Shield Nickel w Rays VERY Rare FREE S/H

US $22.00
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Replica 1873 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

US $0.10 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Dec-03-2008 18:56:27 PST
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Replica 1872 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

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Replica 1871 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

US $0.10 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Dec-03-2008 18:56:30 PST
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Replica 1881 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

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Replica 1870 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

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Replica 1880 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

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Replica 1879 SHIELD NICKEL COINS COPY

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Shield Nickel - Just Listed

1868 us shield nickel NICE

US $5.99 (0 Bid)
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Circulated 1867 Shield Nickel

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Nice Circulated 1868 Shield Nickel

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End Date: Wednesday Dec-10-2008 17:34:00 PST
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Nice Circulated 1869 Shield Nickel

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End Date: Wednesday Dec-10-2008 17:33:00 PST
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1867 no rays GOOD SHIELD NICKEL- VERY NICE!!!!

US $5.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Dec-10-2008 17:10:00 PST
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1869 U.S. Shield Nickel! Fine Details! L@@K!

US $0.69 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Dec-13-2008 16:48:00 PST
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1868 U.S. Shield Nickel! Very Good Details! L@@K!

US $0.68 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Dec-13-2008 16:43:00 PST
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1866 w/Rays Shield Nickel - XF Details - $1.00 S&H - NR

US $25.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Dec-10-2008 16:32:55 PST
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1873 SHIELD NICKEL

US $1.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-08-2008 16:23:30 PST
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1866 SHIELD NICKEL *WITH RAYS* RARE! WORN BUT CHEAP!

US $2.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Dec-10-2008 15:59:30 PST
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The best place to purchase Shield Nickels is at eBay. Most of these coins are very expensive in the better grades and rare years. However, if you just want one or two for your collection look for Shield Nickels pieces dated from about 1868 to 1876 plus 1882 and 1883 in the lower grades of good or very good. You should be able to find a specimen for your collection in the $10.00 to $25.00 range.

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