1873 Nickel Value

High 1873 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" 1873 Nickel pictured is an outstanding high grade coin, and worth $175 or more.

1873 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. A Shield nickel in uncirculated condition shows no signs of wear. Check for breaks in luster on the high points of the design, the Cross, the frame of the Shield and the roundness of the leaves. Wear is indicated by a leveling of the design in these areas and loss of shine.

Extremely Fine: Typical of Extremely Fine condition is light wear on the leaves and across the top of the cross. The shield border is beginning to wear and loosing detail as well as the fine horizontal and vertical lines within the shield. Your coin still has a bold crisp look.

Fine: Moderate even wear depicts a nickel in Fine condition. Leaves surrounding the shield are bold and outlined, the cross is bold but each are lacking interior design details. The border of the shield, once full of detail is now smooth. Protected in the shield's interior, some of the fine horizontal and vertical lines are still visible. Lettering on both obverse and reverse is complete but weak. The stars on the reverse are worn flat, the center radiating line details are lacking from all but one or two stars.

Good: Your 1873 Nickel value is at the low range for a Shield nickel in Good condition. Nearly worn smooth, only the major details remain in outline form. The date is often very weak but readable. Both the obverse and reverse rims have worn into parts of the lettering. Once a bold numeral "5" is now quite faint.

High 1873 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.

Any Shield nickel exhibiting "Choice Luster" as nice as this coin is at the upper end of quality and value. Also the coin was well received at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction and was bid to a high of $747.

Eye appeal combined with mark free surfaces describe the gem 1873 nickel pictured in the middle. Few survive as nice. High quality drew a high bid of $402. A knowledgeable collector now processes one of the best looking coins of this date.

Over the years the coin on the right has acquired subtle "Pale Blue Toning" adding to its appeal. Now combine exceptional surfaces with no major marks to the exceptional toning and the price at auction rose to $373. Choice coins, as show above, are avidly sought by dealers and collectors.

Coin Values Discovery... finds the 1873 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.