1867 Shield Nickel Date Error

No Rays type, correct? You have what is known as a repunched date(RPD) die variety. The date for Shield nickels was punched into each die by hand and sometimes they were a little sloppy and punched the date twice. This is known as a die variety because every single coin struck with that particular die looked just like your coin, whereas an error is a random event. Based on the provided pictures, I would say your nickel matches the listing in the Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties for FS-05-1867-1301. I would grade it as a Fine based on the obverse only and the CPG lists this RPD as having a 3-4x premium in lower grades. Nice find, that is a very pronounced RPD

Thanks for the help. This is a great site with a lot of cool people. This Nickel is the non rays variety. What seems odd about this coin is that the underlying date is so different than the normal size numbers I've seen used on Shield nickels. It looks like the type is much thinner, as if it were punched with the incorrect punch. I really don't know because I am such an amateur. I got into the Coin World about two years ago and now I'm obsessed. I didn't have any coins two years ago, now I have thousands, does that sound familiar to anyone out there? And now for some reason I can't stop buying Draped Bust Large Cents, I, I love them. Can anyone help me with this, how long does this last for, is there a cure for this obsession, or is this "THE CURE". Oh, I got to go, a Draped Bust Large Cent I've been watching is ending soon and I don't want to miss it. Thanks, Jim..

The underlying date on this coin is not smeared or polished away at all, Its very clear and pronounced and I don't think it shows very well in this picture, but it's very bold and much thinner. Thanks, Jim.

Well, you asked for help--and I gave you one explanation. As you can see on your coin, the thickness of the underlying date varies between very thin under 86 to almost normal thickness under the 7. Does that mean the first date impression used digits of different thicknesses? No, the thinner digits are evidence of either varying pressure or partial removal of the first date impression (thanks Conder). And, as the die wears from use, the RPD may get more pronounced. Here's a site that explains the process in detail

I specialize in RPDs and overdates. I've seen many RPDs on US coins from this period--and they often look just like this coin. Overdate dies also show a much weaker digit, mostly likely from incomplete polishing/removal of a complete date. Time for some pics:

Look at the last 8:


Varying degrees of removal and thickness of the underlying date:


The 1872 small date/large date variety--the larger digits are partially removed:


Lastly, a mosaic of overdate digits, showing how the underlying digits are partially removed and much thinner:

No problem, I hope my "data dump" made sense. I worked backwards from this issue from having a bunch of overdates, and figuring out why the dates underneath were so thin. Cool coin!

BTW, 5th Ed. CherryPickers Guide shows value of FS-05-1867-1301 (Which I agree with biokemist on the identification) in F12 as $95 vs. a normal F12 1867 no rays at $25...I would expect you could sell this (granted I haven't seen reverse) for $60-70 fairly quickly.

hey ,i think I just found another of these on ebait:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1866-Rays-S...em5d2d36d7d0