First year of issue for both the Shield Nickel Series and for the change of the 5 cent denomination from silver to nickel (both continue together until 1873). Desirable yet very common in all existing grades up to MS66, at which point can be considered slightly scarce but still readily available. High-end examples with a strong strike are plentiful.
| coinage-type | Shield nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 20.5 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 14,742,500 |
| ngc-id | 22NX |
| obverse-description | A shield flanked on the left and right by leaves topped with a cross with arrows positioned behind at the bottom so the arrow heads and shanks protrude at the sides. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears at the top periphery with the date positioned at the bottom center. |
| pcgs-link | 3790 |
| pcgs-number | 3790 |
| reverse-description | A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery. Straight lines, depicting rays of the sun, extended from the numeral to between the stars. The rays were removed in 1867. |
| variety | Rays |
| weight-grams | 5 |
| year-display | 1866-1867 |