1872 Nickel Value

High 1872 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" 1872 Nickel pictured is an outstanding high grade coin, and worth $117 or more.

1872 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 1872 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 1872 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.

As if lighting the pale yellow toning from beneath, the "Intense Luster" of the 1872 Shield nickel drew a lot of attention at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction. Bidding climbed to and finally ended at $1265 for a flashy addition to any collection.

The center coin placed between two lightly toned examples really shows off its original silver-grey luster. Also notable is the very nice surfaces, absent of abrasions or scuff marks. When auctioned it was recognized as a high condition coin and quickly realized $454 with multiple bidders.

Always sought by collectors, Shield nickels with "Light Golden Toning" are welcome in any collection. Finding one with strong design details from a solid strike during minting and no deterioration from wear is the challenge. The coin pictured on the right meets these qualities, as a result drew $425 as the winning bid.

Coin Values Discovery... finds the 1872 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.