The date that very quickly ends the "with Rays" reverse design for the Shield Nickel Series (because of striking and die crack issues). Desirable issue with a relatively lower mintage with just a few million struck. Common through Mint State although gems become a bit more scarce up to MS67 at which point true rarity comes into effect.
| coinage-type | Shield nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 20.5 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 2,019,000 |
| ngc-id | 22NY |
| 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 | 3791 |
| pcgs-number | 3791 |
| 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 |