| All rights reserved. |
Rare Coin House.com
Shield and Liberty Nickels (1866-1913)
On June 30, 1865, James Pollock, director of the Mint, proposed that a coin made of nickel alloy in the
denomination of five cents would be a good substitute for the five-cent fractional currency notes then
in circulation. Although half dimes were being produced, they, like other silver denominations, did not
circulate. In the same year a number of patterns for the new coin were made.
On May 16, 1866 the nickel five-cent piece was officially adopted. Composition was specified as 75%
copper and 25% nickel. It was hoped that the coin would circulate widely. In contrast to what
happened to the contemporary two-cent and nickel three-cent pieces, the nickel five-cent pieces,
commonly called nickels, proved to be popular. The denomination is still in use today.
In the second year of circulation of the Shield design, 1867, it was determined that the bars or rays on
the reverse caused too much metal displacement and resulted in striking difficulties. Indeed, surviving
specimens of the with-rays design minted in 1866 and 1867 often display weakness. As a result,
following a nominal coinage of 1867 nickels with rays, the feature was dropped. The new design,
without rays, was continued through 1883.
denomination of five cents would be a good substitute for the five-cent fractional currency notes then
in circulation. Although half dimes were being produced, they, like other silver denominations, did not
circulate. In the same year a number of patterns for the new coin were made.
On May 16, 1866 the nickel five-cent piece was officially adopted. Composition was specified as 75%
copper and 25% nickel. It was hoped that the coin would circulate widely. In contrast to what
happened to the contemporary two-cent and nickel three-cent pieces, the nickel five-cent pieces,
commonly called nickels, proved to be popular. The denomination is still in use today.
In the second year of circulation of the Shield design, 1867, it was determined that the bars or rays on
the reverse caused too much metal displacement and resulted in striking difficulties. Indeed, surviving
specimens of the with-rays design minted in 1866 and 1867 often display weakness. As a result,
following a nominal coinage of 1867 nickels with rays, the feature was dropped. The new design,
without rays, was continued through 1883.
SHIELD and LIBERTY NICKELS
1-877-261-6869
