1866–1883 Shield Nickel VG+

Shield Nickel? The First U.S. Nickel

When Silver Half Dimes disappeared from circulation due to Civil War inflation, the government replaced them with 5-cent paper notes. After the war, the public howled to get these notes replaced with coins, but there wasn’t enough silver to do it. The solution? Nickel. In 1866 the Shield Nickel was born. That’s right! ­The Shield Nickel was the very first nickel minted in copper-nickel in America!

Famously Designed By James Longacre

Designed by James Longacre, the U.S. Mint’s 4th Chief Engraver and one of the most noteworthy designers of the 19th century, the Shield Nickel is the very first nickel released by the United States. But as iconic as the design has become, it was also difficult to produce. It was also heavily criticized as a “tombstone surmounted by a cross and overhung by weeping willows.” The reverse design, originally showing stars surrounded by rays of light, also reminded some people of the “Stars and Bars” motif of the Confederacy. The coin’s original design was struck for only two years before the rays were removed to alleviate production problems, and the series itself ended after only 17 years.

Available Now In Nice, Very Good+ Condition!

The Shield Nickel was last struck before the Turn of the Century more than 140 years ago and can be very hard to find in nice condition today and the ones we have here all come in nice Very Good+ (VG+) condition. Don’t miss your chance to get America’s very first nickel; click this Shield Nickel to your cart—but hurry because we don’t have many, so act now! Dates will vary.