1869 Shield Nickel

1869 Shield Nickel — No Rays Five-Cent Coin

Own a fascinating piece of 19th-century American numismatic history with this 1869 Shield Nickel, an early example of the United States' first five-cent coin struck in copper-nickel alloy.

The Shield Nickel series was produced from 1866 through 1883 and represents an important transition in American coinage. Before its introduction, the five-cent denomination was primarily represented by the small silver half dime. The Shield Nickel helped establish the larger copper-nickel five-cent coin that remains familiar in American commerce today.

Designed by James B. Longacre, Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, the Shield Nickel features a distinctive design inspired by the nation's strength, unity, and recovery following the American Civil War.

The 1869 Shield Nickel belongs to the No Rays design introduced in 1867. Earlier Shield Nickels featured rays between the stars on the reverse, but the rays were removed to simplify production and improve the striking process.

The obverse displays a prominent shield representing national unity, with a cross positioned above and a decorative wreath surrounding its lower portion. The inscription IN GOD WE TRUST appears above the shield, while the date 1869 is positioned below.

The reverse features a large numeral 5 surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original American colonies. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and CENTS complete the design.

The coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which produced all Shield Nickels during 1869. No mint mark appears on this issue.

With an original mintage of 16,395,000 business strikes, the 1869 Shield Nickel represents an accessible early issue within the series and remains popular among collectors of 19th-century United States coinage.

The year 1869 falls during the Reconstruction era, when the nation was rebuilding following the Civil War. It was also the year the first transcontinental railroad was completed, an event that transformed transportation and commerce across the United States.

Unlike the silver half dimes that preceded it, the Shield Nickel contains no silver. Instead, it was produced using a durable copper-nickel alloy consisting of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

Whether collected as part of a complete Shield Nickel set, a Reconstruction-era coin collection, or a broader United States five-cent type set, the 1869 Shield Nickel offers an appealing combination of historical significance and classic American design.

Product Details

• Denomination: Five Cents ($0.05 USD)

• Year: 1869

• Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

• Series: Shield Nickel (1866–1883)

• Type: No Rays

• Original Mintage: 16,395,000 business strikes

• Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

• Weight: 5.00 grams

• Diameter: 20.5 mm

• Designer: James B. Longacre

• Obverse: Shield with cross, wreath, IN GOD WE TRUST, and date

• Reverse: Large numeral 5 surrounded by thirteen stars, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and CENTS

• Mint Mark Location: None — Philadelphia issue

• Edge: Plain

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1869 Shield Nickel. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.