1878 Shield Nickel

About This Coin

The 1878 Shield Nickel is a United States nickel from the Shield Nickels 1866-1883 series. The obverse features a large Union shield with a motto ribbon and crossed arrows behind it, while the reverse displays a large numeral 5 within a circle of stars, without rays. Designed by James Barton Longacre. Struck in 75% copper, 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams, 20.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The Shield Nickel was the first five-cent coin struck in the copper-nickel alloy that gives the "nickel" its name. Introduced during Reconstruction, the shield obverse carried strong Union symbolism. The original reverse featured rays between the stars, abandoned after 1867 because it caused die cracking. The 1866 Rays variety and 1883/2 overdate are key varieties. Low-mintage proof-only dates exist toward the end of the series.