1868 Nickel Value

Mint State: Mint State grade 1868 nickels are a prized collectible. "Without wear" to their surface defines the condition. Mint State is the hobby term used to rate and describe the coin. These top-quality coins remain preserved in the condition they left the mint. The grading process inspects the surface to verify no trace of wear is visible.

When minting coins, the force to impress the design imparts a fine texture on the surface. This minute texture produces the shine of an unworn coin. Luster covers both low areas and importantly, high relief points of the design. Recognizing unbroken luster determines the Mint State condition.

When grading, focus on the intricate shield devices. Many high areas of the shield are prone to signs of wear. To confirm the surface is without wear, rounded elements of the frame are not flattened. On either side of the horizontal lines, two round devices are fully covered with luster. If worn, luster, and its glow, becomes a smooth surface with a metallic shine. On the right side of the shield, compare the top of the "ball" feature with the lower relief area of the leaves. Both metal surfaces are similar, with a texture of luster remaining.

Continue comparing high areas to identify a match with low relief areas. An absence of flatness or grayish tint on high points indicates a surface without wear.

Extremely Fine: Shield nickels with just light wear defines "Extremely Fine" grade. A more complete definition includes, wear at high points only. Fine design features show only small areas of merging. Examine the image, focus on the lines in the center, and on the shield's border.

Horizontal and vertical lines in the center are useful to gauge the amount of wear. Specific standards when measured help recognize the Extremely Fine grade level. Looking at the example, both sets of lines are very clear. This provides a quick evaluation, but now it requires a close inspection and judgment.

Examine the vertical lines first. These are set within a raised bar, forming the stripes of the shield. On the top edges, slight wear reduces some lines to a faint separation. To qualify at grade level, merging of the lines is minor and short in length.

Judging the horizontal lines presents a small challenge. Strike quality is a consideration. Not all Shield nickels were strongly impressed when minted. Within the horizontal lines, softly struck areas tend to appear as wear. Light wear on these lines tends to smooth already faded areas. Typically, these soft impressed features are at the top area of the lines. If all lines, horizontal, and vertical are sharp, this easily decides the grade. If there is some fading in the horizontal lines, this requires sharp vertical lines.

With crisp and detailed lines, a Shield nickel is a candidate for the Extremely Fine grade.

Fine Grade: A Shield nickel in Fine grade displays worn areas flattening the highest contours. A small amount of merging within the design features is also visible. Defining the Fine grade is low relief areas remaining with high points worn and missing.

Small details within the leaves are useful indicators of the amount of wear to the surface. Examine the edges of each leaf. Only in a few spots are leaf edges missing, if at all. The 1868 nickel image shows all edges intact, a very strong indication of the grade. Wear on the leaves only flattens the high areas, beginning at the tips. This wear on most leaves extends only half way into the leaf, a metric used when deciding the grade. Leaves worn smooth are typically the uppermost leaf of each group. Most often, this is the group either side of the cross. Missing edges in this area are acceptable for the grade.

Next, when comparing your coin to the image, confirm at least half of the horizontal lines remain. This standard considers the typical strike weakness on the top right side of the lines. Softly struck lines merge quickly when worn. Focus on the remaining lines to gauge the amount of wear.

Although worn, in Fine grade a Shield nickel is pleasing. These condition coins are well received in the market and collectible.

Good Grade: Viewing the example nickel, heavy wear covers the entire surface. The smooth metal hints at the missing finer detail. This look of heavy wear defines the condition. Despite the wear, key features remain and used to determine the "Good" grade.

Beginning at the center of the coin, all raised vertical lines within the shield design are full. Above these lines the area is smooth without any inner detail. This smooth area is a clear measurement of the coin's grade. Moving outward, a frame device, holding the shield is only represented by its outer edge. Without any fine details within the frame, this flatness defines heavy wear. At the very top of the central shield, a cross in outline, is bold above the background. Combined, this central area remains complete as a raised outline.

Inspect two more features, the motto and date. A full date, remains separate from the rim. A bold date is an eye appealing quality represented on this coin. Next, a strong motto above the shield also confirms the grade. Notice the motto exhibits missing detail near the rim. Remaining somewhat visible is the metric required for the motto area to meet the grade level. All combined, strong edges on main devices confirm the Good grade.

Shield Nickel Value | Complete Value Chart of All Years

A complete value chart lists all years, highlighting the scarce nickels. Introducing a nickel alloy five cent piece in 1866, Shield nickels are a first for U.S. coinage. Many dates in the series that ended in 1883, are scarce, if not rare.

How to Grade Shield Nickels | Visual Guide

In-depth how to grade Shield nickels. The main features of the video cover specific areas to examine. Examine closely the amount of detail required to qualify for each grade. Additionally, reference the close-up images and descriptions when inspecting a coin's surface.