1870 Nickel Value

Mint State: Mint State is the grading term used by coin collectors and the market. It describes a coin without wear on its surface. A Shield Nickel in Mint State condition remains with full details, and no flattening or smoothing of the design. Grading defines a coin's condition, helping establish its value and desirability to collectors.

Note the luster and shine of the example. The immense pressure of striking a coin causes the metal to "flow" into the die's recesses. This process imparts a fine grain texture to the surface. Luster results from light reflecting off this original surface. Luster is consistent across the high curves of the shield and the flat field of the coin. Any breaks or interruptions in this uniform texture indicates wear.

When judging condition, focus on the well-struck areas of the design. The example image shows a nickel with excellent detail on the shield border. At the top of the shield, look closely at the curved elements of the frame. These are high, rounded contours with deep recessed areas.

Wear on a coin displays smooth, flattened spots on raised contours. Additionally, a worn surface loses its texture, altering the way the metal reflects light. Color of the metal takes on a grayish tone, with a polished appearance.

Tilt your coin under a single light source. Luster remains unbroken as the light plays across the surface. Compare the surface texture and luster of both high and low reliefs. Look for a similar shine from each, confirming a Mint State nickel.

Extremely Fine: Light wear, only on high relief points, describes a Shield nickel in Extremely Fine grade. As you examine your coin, judge the vertical and horizontal lines within the shield. At this grade level, they draw the eye because of their crisp, well-defined appearance. Compared to the example image, a close match identifies above average condition. Inspection of a second area, the leaves to the sides, further narrows and confirms the grade.

At the Extremely Fine grade level, each leaf within both side branches is complete. Edges defining the leaves are visible and bold. A full separation of the leaves is a standard measurement to meet the grade quality. This quality is well represented on the left side of the illustrated coin. Light wear smooths the very ends of the leaves, causing a slight flatness. Inner veins remain within a lower contour that rises to a defined edge. The key grading metric is wear confined to leaf ends. Full contours within the leaves, and complete leaf edges, further refines the standard. Look for these features on your coin.

Judge a subtle observation when grading. Often, the leaves on one side appear with more detail than the other. The example coin illustrates this point on the right-side branch. An uneven strike when minted caused the difference in sharpness of detail. Reference the bolder, left-side first, giving an accurate measurement of wear. Next, examine the less sharp side right-side. Although with fewer inner details, all leaf edges must remain well defined. In total, fine lines within the shield and detailed leaves are areas deciding the grade.

Fine Grade: Nice detail remains on a Shield nickel in Fine grade. Visible detail and moderate wear give these coins a slightly flattened appearance. Using specific standards helps recognize the amount of detail required for the grade. Inspecting design elements of the shield and leaves judge the amount of wear to the surface.

First concern is a readable motto and date. The coin illustrated is a professionally evaluated Shield nickel in Fine grade. The motto "In God We Trust" passes the grade standard, notice it is slightly faded in some areas. Importantly, the date is recognizable. It is also somewhat indistinct.

Inspecting the leaves, most have a slight high and low contour. Many still show the central vein element, a nice detail. Meeting the grade, edges defining the leaves are very bold. Only in limited areas are edges of the top leaves merged with the leaves below. At this time, closely compare your coin to the image. Verify your coin matches the amount of leaf detail.

Next use the vertical and horizontal lines in the shield to gauge wear. The example coin displays many complete horizontal lines. With at least half the horizontal lines showing, it is well within the grade range. This coin also meets the grade with most vertical lines complete. A few merged areas within the vertical lines are allowable.

Crisp details, clearly visible, describe the Fine condition nickel. Some minor details worn smooth next to bold lines is a collectible quality coin.

Good Grade: A number one standout impression of a Good grade 1870 nickel is the well-worn design. Heavy wear smooths major features. Because of this wear, only the outer edges of elements rise from the field of the coin. This definition of the grade also includes strict qualities remain visible. A readable date, and most of the motto "In God We Trust" is legible. These two are particularly important to keep the coin at grade level.

In a close inspection, wear flattens the central area of the shield and continues outward. The shield and frame are smooth. On either side, the leaves are without any inner detail. Importantly, the central shield, the frame, or leaves do not blend with the field. Moving upward, the Motto remains very clear, an added plus to eye appeal. Also, the date is clear, another plus. At the very edges of the coin, missing areas of the rim are acceptable for the grade. On the example illustrated, looking to the left of the date, parts of the rim remain raised.

A scarcity of Shield nickels shows in strong premiums for all grades of preservation. Today, most 1870 nickels are in a state of heavy wear. It takes a coin with eye appeal offsetting the amount of wear to attract collectors. Keeping this in mind when viewing your coin helps to place an accurate grade on the piece.

Shield Nickel Value | Complete Value Chart of All Years

Complete value chart listing of Shield Nickels. Note how much an 1870 is worth in high condition compared to other dates. The important step of judging condition is further illustrated with large grading images. This approach provides a step-by-step method to an accurate reading the chart.

How to Grade Shield Nickels | Visual Guide

When viewing the visual guide, examine various levels of wear and how they determine a grade. The grading descriptions with video and images indicate major points of the coin design. A close inspection of these features evaluates the condition of a Shield Nickel.