1868 5 Cent Shield Nickel VG–F

America’s First Nickel

When silver Half Dimes disappeared from circulation due to Civil War inflation, the government replaced them with paper 5-cent 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.

The Short-Lived Shield Nickel Series

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, and was 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 many of the “Stars and Bars” motif of the Confederacy. With that said, the 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.

Key-Date 1868 Shield Nickels

Now you can acquire this fascinating piece of American Civil War-era history in Very Good to Fine (VG–F) condition. The vintage Five-Cent Shield Nickels available in this offer were all struck for circulation in 1868 — the same year President Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives and later acquitted in his Senate trial. It was also the year the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted, guaranteeing African Americans full citizenship, Ulysses S. Grant was first elected president, and the year Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his famed 7th Cavalry attacked a band of Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of Washita River as part of the U.S. Army’s campaign against Indians on the Southern Plains.

Grab this fantastic piece of history now and make the 1868 Five Cent Shield Nickel a prized addition to your personal collection!