Numismatic

1882 Shield Nickel VG

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The 1882 Shield Nickel represents a fascinating chapter in early United States five-cent coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this particular specimen survives in Very Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that actively circulated during the late nineteenth century. On the obverse, the central design features an ornate defensive shield, which James Longacre modeled after the coat of arms found on the Great Seal of the United States. Above this patriotic emblem, the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed, with the year of production, 1882, positioned directly below. The reverse of the coin focuses on simplicity and national identity. The large numeral "5" sits at the center, surrounded by a ring of thirteen stars to represent the original colonies. The surrounding inscriptions clearly identify the issuing nation as the "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" alongside the denomination "CENTS".