1874 Nickel Value

High 1874 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" 1874 Nickel pictured is an outstanding high grade coin, and worth $110 or more.

1874 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 1874 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 1874 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.

Occasionally a coin with strong luster and soft gold and silver toning combines to produce a "Lively Gem" Shield nickel. The coin pictured also had a strong, lively auction result of $235. A few small nicks keeping the coin from perfection.

Original golden toning over shimmering blue-grey is an eye appealing, rarely seen mixture. The nickel in the center despite its age has been spared from any marks and abrasions and today is a highly valuable old nickel. Auctioned recently to a bid of $1127 it is surely destined for an advanced collection.

Attracting many bids at a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction the "Blazing Luster" shining from this coin drove the value to $1368. Collectors and dealers competing to own an outstanding condition 1874 Shield nickel were aggressive in their bids.

Coin Values Discovery... finds the 1874 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.