This date is the first from the Shield Nickel Series to boast a mintage under 8-figures making it scarcer than the1860s issues yet still very common. Easily accessible in all grades until the gem level at which point the gems are slightly scarce. This issue is known to have die cracks and stars that appear repunched but are not because the initial strikes were just so strong.
| coinage-type | Shield nickel |
| desg | MS |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 20.5 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 4,806,000 |
| ngc-id | 22P4 |
| 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 | 3797 |
| pcgs-number | 3797 |
| reverse-description | A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery. |
| weight-grams | 5 |
| year-display | 1867-1883 |