Why Aren't Shield Nickels More Popular? - Page 2

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Author	Replies: 26 / Views: 1,318	Page: of 2

jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 02/06/2026 11:04 am Quote: No kid has ever exclaimed with delight, "Oooo boy! That's a Thomas Jefferson's house nickel!" Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 02/06/2026 11:09 am Quote: When the silver Three Cent and Half Dime were replaced with the cupro-nickel coinage, the Philadelphia mint had a huge learning curve... Fast forward to 1912. Denver and San Francisco were tasked for the first time with striking cupro-nickel coinage with the Liberty nickel... So treat the Shield nickel as Philadelphia's high school metal shop learning curve project that paved the way for the designs that followed. Very interesting! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Humanist1287 Pillar of the Community United States 1115 Posts	Posted 02/06/2026 12:21 pm A lot of good view points here. But, hey, I like 'em. That's all that matters to me! I am going to go right on down the line and continue with the next coin that has an empty spot, the 1870! I won't be purchasing any of the key date coins most likely, but I figured I'll fill them with some decent hole filler-type coins. Obviously, no proofs will be going in this set either, let alone purchased. If I ever spent thousands on a coin, my wife would have me committed. Lol. *Dansco 8100 Lincoln cents Liberty "V" nickels Jefferson nickels 1938-current Buffalo nickels Roosevelt Dimes Eisenhower/Anthony dollars** Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187950 Posts	Posted 02/06/2026 12:26 pm Quote: I am going to go right on down the line and continue with the next coin that has an empty spot, the 1870! Excellent! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
TimNH Valued Member United States 416 Posts	Posted 02/07/2026 12:57 am I think of the 3c and 5c nickels from the 1860s as the beginning of the end for coins being worth their weight in metal, and instead going to 'fiat' value. That's kinda sad in a way, and I suspect has something to do with the unpopularity. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10492 Posts	Posted 02/07/2026 01:10 am Quote: Obviously, no proofs will be going in this set either I don't see why Dansco does that - who's going to crack out a $3000 proof coin and stick it in an album? Report this Post to the Staff
smat45 Pillar of the Community United States 2333 Posts	Posted 02/07/2026 07:29 am @Brandmeister Quote: I personally prefer coins with a bust over heraldry. I can hear Lady Liberty saying... Brand...my eye is up here. smat Report this Post to the Staff
Sharkman Valued Member United States 461 Posts	Posted 05/23/2026 02:52 am Popularity? Maybe it's just Twentieth Century (and Morgan dollar) bias. I focus on Liberty Seated dimes and quarters. The price to rarity comparison between popular Twentieth Century classic coins (no dead heads) is telling. PCGS coin facts estimates as few as 200 total survivors for some early key date Seated dimes. Any Twentieth Century classic coin of similar rarity (if there are any) would cost a relative fortune. In grades up to mid VF the Seated dimes can be had, if found, for under $1,000 to about $2,000. Not chump change, certainly, but imagine what a Mercury dime or Walker with only 200 survivors would be worth. Really, it's a simple matter of supply and demand. There just aren't as many seated coin collectors seeking more than single type coins as there are collectors of the popular, and aesthetically beautiful Twentieth Century classics. I believe ultimately that is the answer to your question about Shield nickels. I have considered doing a set of Shield nickels myself, the series is not long and there are no branch mint rarities. The expensive 1879 and 1880 dates can be filled with more readily available proofs. For what it's worth, I believe the Coin Facts survivor estimates are too low. But they do provide an order of magnitude for comparison to the Twentieth Century coins. If you like them, go get those Shield nickels and have fun doing it. Report this Post to the Staff
Vector Ze Valued Member United States 467 Posts	Posted 05/23/2026 03:39 am Quote: Dealers are very willing to haggle on slow-movers There hasn't been a coin show in my town in at least 30 years. But worse than that, I absolutely HATE haggling. Report this Post to the Staff
Vector Ze Valued Member United States 467 Posts	Posted 05/23/2026 03:42 am I like Shield nickels. But so far as completing a nice set, it's out of my league, price wise. Report this Post to the Staff
Humanist1287 Pillar of the Community United States 1115 Posts	Posted 05/24/2026 11:42 am @ Sharkman To me, it seems like every time you turn around, in the Dansco album, there is an expensive variety coin for the Shield nickels. I do like them, though. There was an 1871 in nice condition awhile back for around 100 dollars on ebay. Vector Ze... Yeah... I agree with that sentiment. This is one of the reasons I haven't really purchased any coins for awhile for this set. *Dansco 8100 Lincoln cents Liberty "V" nickels Jefferson nickels 1938-current Buffalo nickels Roosevelt Dimes Eisenhower/Anthony dollars** Report this Post to the Staff
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