1874 Nickel Value

Mint State: A Shield nickel in Mint State grade displays no wear on the surface. The grading process examines the raised contours to verify this strict requirement. Many fine, visible details indicate a high-condition coin. These have the potential to grade at the Mint State level. Begin with inspecting the coin's high and low relief areas. A helpful example to reference is the Mint State nickel imaged. Original luster is present on both the high and low contours of the coin. The minting process imparts a fine grain texture on the surface of a coin. When reflecting light, this texture shines as luster. The coin's surface radiates brilliance.

Focus on the leaves to the left of the shield. These leaves are well-struck. Examine the high relief areas, including the outer edges and the very tips of the leaves. Next, inspect the central vein of each leaf. When compared to the inner leaf area, these high points appear similar in luster and texture.

Wear on a coin shows as flattened and smooth areas on the metal, particularly on the high points. Wear also imparts a metallic shine, often with a gray color. A worn surface has a distinctly different appearance when compared to an unworn surface. When comparing high and low areas, a similar texture indicates an unworn surface.

Next, apply the same approach to the shield's frame. Closely inspect the high and low areas, focusing on the left side. The frame's large, rounded, and high areas remain covered in luster. All high points exhibit the same luster as the field nearby.

Compare luster and texture on high areas to lower contours and the field. When consistent, the coin is a candidate for the Mint State grade.

Extremely Fine: A Shield nickel in Extremely Fine grade displays a crisp and defined appearance. Intricate details remain visible, covering the entire surface. Minimal wear on the coin's high points defines the grade. With major details well-defined, only slight flattening affects the highest areas.

Grading a coin involves judging specific wear patterns across its surface. Start at the center, carefully examine the shield's intricate lines and details. Note in the image, most horizontal lines remain clear and distinct. Although some minor weakness is present in certain spots. Vertical lines are very sharp and clear, with minor wear visible.

Light wear on the shield's border is another characteristic of the Extremely Fine grade. Inspect the detailed border for signs of flattening. Some minor flatness on the tops of the contours is acceptable.

Condition of the leaves around the border display completeness and bold outlines. Each top leaf remains distinct from those below, indicating minimal wear. Confirm all leaf edges are full and not worn into surrounding leaves. Bold center veins, set low within the leaves, meets the grade standard.

Next, the cross above the shield, is another measurable grading feature. The center surface of the cross shows light wear. Note the raised outline border on the cross. Most of this border remains visible along the horizontal arms. It is only faded in small areas at the lower half of the cross. Using the image, compare to confirm a close match and determine an accurate grade of the coin's condition.

Fine Grade: Moderate wear defines the "Fine" grade. On the many small design elements, wear has removed enough metal to lose all detail. Inspect the lower part of the shield just above the date. Only outlines remain. The upper half of the shield provides enough detail to gauge levels of wear.

In the central area of the shield, horizontal lines are partially worn smooth. With half the lines remaining clear, this indicates the moderate wear condition. Also, the border on either side of the lines has enough detail that some raised contours remain.

Leaves of the olive branches on the sides of the shield are an important grading element. A standard of the fine grade requires the leaves display defined edges. In each group of leaves, an upper leaf must show strong separation edges over a lower leaf. There is an allowance for some leaf edges merging. Often the upper left area on Shield nickels is softly struck. Leaf detail is weak here and some merging of edges is acceptable for the grade.

The example nickel is professionally graded and an excellent example of a Shield nickel in Fine grade. Compare your coin, using the grading features to judge a close match.

Good Grade: An 1874 Shield Nickel in "Good" grade carries a nice premium value in the coin market. The definition of the Good grade is heavily worn areas over the surface. Flattened devices with some visible details expand on the grade definition. At this stage of wear, a few indicators become important when evaluating condition. Determine the grade judging three specific areas, the shield, leaves, and date. Although these coins exhibit heavy wear, the grade level requires bold design elements. Full outlines of major features must remain. A reliable grading technique compares to grading images. By matching your coin to these images, you identify the key grading features.

Begin with the date, located below the shield. The date sits just inside the rim. Because of its position, it is somewhat protected and remains well-defined. A clear date raises aesthetic appeal, an important draw for the coin market.

Next, inspect the olive branches on either side of the center shield. The branches lack interior detail within the individual leaves, indicating heavy wear. However, the leaf groups are fully outlined. Each cluster has distinct outer edges rising above the field. Complete outer edges become the strict metric indicating the grade.

The shield at the center, draws the eye, becoming the design's focal point. This feature is also graded using the "full outline" quality judgment. On the example, note an ornate outer edge of the frame is complete. Also, raised vertical stripes remain within the shield. These strong lines defining the edges of the shield and stripes identifies the grade. Without surface marks or dark toning this nickel fits within collector quality range.

Shield Nickel Value | Complete Value Chart of All Years

Complete value chart listing of Shield Nickels. Note how much an 1874 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

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