Numismatic

1869 Shield Nickel Good

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The five-cent piece underwent a dramatic transformation in the post-Civil War era, resulting in the Shield Nickel series. This particular specimen from 1869, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, showcases a design heavily influenced by the national mood of the late 1860s. The obverse displays an intricate shield modeled after the coat of arms found on the Great Seal of the United States. This central motif is surrounded by the national motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, which is split above the shield. On the reverse, the coin emphasizes its utility and national identity. The large numeral 5 sits at the center, surrounded by the word CENTS and encircled by a ring of thirteen stars. This early American coin, composed of a copper and nickel alloy, represents a fascinating period of transition in the history of United States coinage, captured here in a well-circulated, Good condition.