Does Anyone Collect Shield Nickels?

I have less than a dozen in my collection... My best specimen is an 1883.

The Shield nickel is a nice type.

Wow I like that coin! I have one like that that I got graded VF-35. Mine just had a little bit of wear on the obverse of the coin.

You need two Shield nickels to fill out a type set, the "with rays" or "stars and bars" type (1866 and 1867) and the "no rays" type (1867 through 1883). I found nice mint state examples of the 1867 (rays) and 1875 for my set. They are very cool coins. The 1866 especially is noted for many repunched-date varieties, some of them with a really big spread on the repunched digits. One day I might find an irresistable example to add to the collection.

I've been VERY tempted to do a collection of Shield nickels. I think it's a very doable collection. There are a couple more difficult pieces, especially the 1880 business strike, though. The problem with going after this series is that many of these coins are notoriously poorly struck, corroded, or have other problems. Finding really decent specimens (like any series, but this one especially so) can be quite challenging.

It is a very unloved series, probably the least liked...just behind 3CN in feeling the love. I have a friend who absolutely hates this series and his feelings are reflected amongst the general collecting population.

the 1883 looks more like EF-45 or AU-50 to me, cause it has all the line in the shield plus you can see all the lines in the stars on the obverse. great looking coin

All this talk in this unpopular series, got me going. I just did a Shield nickel purchase! I'll post in a new thread once I get it (and hopefully decide it's a keeper).

I have most of the series, excluding the ever elusive 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1880. I am working on finding those coins now, and have a lead on some of them. Everything I have now, are in xf.

Well, I did it...finally found a nice enough 1871 (separate thread). Thanks to this thread for making me think about this unloved series again!