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 Replies: 28 / Views: 4,721 |
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Valued Member
United States
333 Posts |
I've heard from more than one person that Shield nickels are dead. Personally, I enjoy the look of them, even if they aren't the best looking coin in the world. I just bought a 1868 in Good condition for $7. That seems really cheap to me. Is this just a cyclical thing? Will the attention suddenly be on Shield nickels in 20 years with prices 8 times what they are now, or do people just hate these ugly lumps of metal? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
I like 'em...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
I don't collect them myself, but I think they reflect the classic American design. I used to get them in my paper route money when I was a kid, thought they were kinda neat. I couldn't afford to collect anything back then, and when I did get back into collecting later in life, preferred the larger coins.
Collect what YOU like!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I think that most everyone that wants to do a type set will buy two and be happy, One with rays and one without. Otherwise, it is pretty difficult to set a goal for a complete set due to some having a really low mintage for certain years. I think high grade attractive more common pieces are a good long term investment. Collectors will always want an example with rays. I personally feel they are an interesting and attractive coin in high grades but there sure are some ugly worn corroded ones out there. Who wants to put out a couple hundred dollars minimum for a key date Shield nickel in G4 or VG8 condition that is pretty ugly? I think these, like the Two Cent Piece are destined to remain type coins for the most part. So get a pretty common one in high grade and you'll be OK but there are better coins to invest in I am sure. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Browsing the interwebs, I've sort of gotten the hint that Shield nickels aren't as liked as other classic US coinage. Personally I like them (IMO they're better than some of the modern stuff made today), but I don't actively collect them, but if I see a nice looking one for a good price, I might just take it. Yeah, I'm also finding them kind of cheap also. Managed to cherrypick my only Shield nickel, a F/VF 1868, for $8 at a coin show. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
I think Wheezy has called this one correctly. This coin type is very rare in some years (i.e., difficult to obtain) and not considered the most attractive design by many. Quote:
everyone who wants to do a type set will buy two and be happy, One with rays and one without. How did you know? (My entire Shield nickel collection..)     |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
I want one with rays, than I will be happy. Just like I also want a Seated quarter with rays & arrows, and one with just arrows, and also an 1885 Trade dollar and a 1894-S dime, and... Well, you get the point |
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Moderator
 United States
189969 Posts |
If this is true, then I think I have found my next project.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
They've always been dead I think. They're the most dead series probably next the 3CN. People just aren't thrilled with the design probably, most especially the reverse. However, finding nice XF+ Shield nickels that are problem free can be quite a challenge! |
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Valued Member
 United States
333 Posts |
I'm interested mainly because my grandmother gave me one with rays in AG-3 condition and I have a compulsion to upgrade and fill out the set. I agree there are some pretty nasty ones out there, the majority, actually, but I find that most of the barbers I run into are worn flat as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
I am trying to collect them, but have found them very expensive in any sort of quality. All I come across are pitted specimens for $5-$25 or AU coins for $hundreds.
I have a partial set (about half), and the remaining missing coins are pricey.
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Valued Member
United States
333 Posts |
I was thinking that, if I really wanted to collect a set of these, that I should go for the pricey ones in slabs. I mean, I really enjoy the look of these when they are in good condition.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:
I think that most everyone that wants to do a type set will buy two and be happy, One with rays and one without. Thats me, I find them to be one of the plainest designs ever minted but I don't think they are dead, just boring |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
It's a very simple design really, but dead, no. I just think they are very unpopular among collectors, that's all. I have yet to see a complete set of these.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
Shield nickels are dead? I must have missed the obituary notice, I didn't know that.  I'll be getting the one pictured below for my type set in a week and a half or so along with an 1851 3 cent silver, an 1871 3 cent nickel and an 1811 capped bust half.  It is an 1869 tall date, notched arrows, reverse '67 in MS-64 (PCGS). It has some interesting die cracks on the obverse which gives it some character. I personally like this design over the Liberty head nickel and in higher circulated and uncirculated condition Shield nickels are quite beautiful. In my opinion, of course.   ANA LM-3175
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
I really like the design and just bought my first one on ebay today. I do think that they are undervalued given mintage but as has already been said, demand fuels price and if they aren't in demand then the price can be low. |
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Replies: 28 / Views: 4,721 |
Posted 05/16/2011 4:43 pm
