Numismatic

1867 Shield Nickel w/o Rays Good

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In 1867, the United States Mint in Philadelphia struck a five-cent piece that would help define the nation's post-Civil War coinage. This early nickel belongs to the Shield Nickel series, a groundbreaking run of base-metal coins that permanently established the five-cent denomination in the American monetary system. Backed by the authority of the United States government, this coin represents a fascinating era of transition in national currency. The obverse of the coin displays a detailed shield, which draws its inspiration directly from the coat of arms found on the Great Seal of the United States. Above the shield, the classic motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed, while the year 1867 is positioned clearly at the bottom. This design was created by James Longacre, who sought to project strength and unity during a period of national reconstruction. On the reverse, the central focus is the large numeral 5, which represents the coin's face value. This denomination is encircled by a ring of 13 stars, symbolizing the original colonies. The surrounding legend reads "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" alongside the word "CENTS" at the base. This particular variety is notable for omitting the rays that were present between the stars on earlier versions of the 1867 striking, resulting in a cleaner and more legible design.