Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 12/9/2024: Gold $2645 | Silver $31.20
1870 Nickel Value
High 1870 nickel value shows just how scarce these coins are. Your Shield Nickel, as it is known to collectors, is a rather elusive and historically important part of the first nickels minted by the United States.
You have a valuable coin. Now, to accurately find out how much it is worth...
After the date is determined - condition - is what collectors and dealers turn their attention to as they value coins.
Known as "Grading" judging the amount of wear by comparing your coin to the "Grading" images below determines a true value. Each stage of wear is valued separately and the chart often shows a doubling of price for better preserved coins.
For example: The "Uncirculated" 1870 Nickel pictured is an outstanding high grade coin, and worth $155 or more.| 1870 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1870 Nickel Value Updated | 2024 | |||
| 1870 | $26 | $42 | $80 | $157 |
1870 Nickel Value is Conditional
Video | Grading Shield Nickels
Your old nickel values often span a wide range depending on condition. The grading descriptions and images indicate major points of the coin design to observe as you evaluate the condition of your old nickel.
Uncirculated: Radiating with the shine of a new coin, mint luster is still present over the entire surface. An uncirculated coin shows no signs of wear. If wear is present, breaks in luster occur on the Cross, the leaves, and frame surrounding the Shield.
Extremely Fine: Although lightly worn, a coin in this condition is still well received by collectors. Typical of the grade is slight wear on the tips of the leaves and upper part of the cross above the shield, both remain bold however. The many fine outlining and scrolling details of the shield border show signs of wear and obscuring. Within the shield itself, fine horizontal and vertical lines show wear causing a few to merge. On the reverse the stars are well defined with lines radiating from the centers.
Fine: Most of the minor details have worn away on a coin in Fine condition. The interior details of the leaves, the outlining of the cross and most of the shield's finer design has worn and merged. On the reverse the stars are worn smooth and the lettering is becoming weak.
Good: In "Good" condition your 1870 nickel value is at the low end of the range. The design is worn to the point just the outlines of the major details show. The date although very weak is readable. However the lettering has begun to merge with the rim and themselves. The shield, leaves, and cross are only flattened outlines with no center details. The numeral "5" on the reverse is very weak and often missing in parts. Lettering and stars on the reverse are heavily worn and becoming faint.
High 1870 Nickel Value
Shield Nickels carefully handled and well preserved since minted are avidly sought today by collectors wishing to add them to their collections. Coins in this condition, no wear, lustrous, with few abrasions are rare and selling coins at auction often brings strong prices.
Few coins in the Shield nickel series combine intense lustrous mark free surfaces and "Light Toning." The 1870 nickel in the image was bid to a high of $1300 at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction.
Attracting many collectors attention the blue-grey gem in the center required a bid of $1265 from one astute collector to add this coin to their collection.
Eye appeal sets the "Golden Gem" apart. Bright luster shinning through warm toning and few marks or abrasion puts this nickel in demand from both dealers and collectors. The coin sold for $552 a very strong price. All thee examples are part of a select few high quality survivors of 1870 nickels.
CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Shield Nickel Value
Complete listing of Shield nickel values and larger grading images combine to find an accurate value of all your Shield nickels.
Including more relating to your 1870 nickel value. Other nickel series are described, value charts provided and linked to... Liberty nickels, followed by Buffalo nickels and the current Jefferson Nickels.
★Coin Values Discovery... finds the 1870 nickel value and...
all old US coin values. It is an excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and descriptions uncover how much your box of old coins is worth.