1866 Shield Nickel FS-301 - What Grade?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 679
fredm2654 New Member United States 49 Posts	Posted 11/26/2025 10:28 pm Here's a 1866 Shield nickel that I believe is FS-301 (RPD) with a ton of die cracks. I'm guessing around EF40 grade - but far from what I'd consider proficient in grading. In my last post someone (tanman2001?) ID'd a Fletcher variety and Spindel variety (that neither Wexler nor Variety Vista listed) but I cant seem to find any online references to the former two. Are they book only? Grade estimate on the 1866? Report this Post to the Staff

Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 74138 Posts	Posted 11/26/2025 11:17 pm Is there mint luster present? I'll say EF. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
smat45 Pillar of the Community United States 2334 Posts	Posted 11/27/2025 06:30 am I'm not very good at grading these either... How about a couple of better pics from a straight down angle...with a little less direct light? As far as what Tanman was referencing regarding varieties...maybe this? "FS variety coins are identified by Fivaz-Stanton Numbers, which are unique die variety numbers assigned by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton. These numbers are part of the Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States coins" Do a quick interweb search for a little better explaination... smat Report this Post to the Staff
IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36744 Posts	Posted 11/27/2025 09:39 am Some strike weakness in the shield. Great surface color and very little actual wear. AU-53 Report this Post to the Staff
fortcollins Pillar of the Community United States 3644 Posts	Posted 11/27/2025 9:38 pm Edward Fletcher, Jr., The Shield Five Cent Series: A Comprehensive Listing of Known Varieties (Ormond Beach, FL: Dead End Publishing, 1994) ISBN10: 0964245116 ISBN13: 9780964245112 This book was self-published. It is hard to find and expensive, but well worth the purchase. There is an online errata page by Howard Spindel, correcting some of the print listings. Edited by fortcollins 11/27/2025 9:41 pm Report this Post to the Staff
smat45 Pillar of the Community United States 2334 Posts	Posted 11/28/2025 12:26 am This is what I like...somebody with the accurate knowledge comes in and explains it all! Thanks fortcollins! smat edited for spellig Edited by smat45 11/28/2025 12:30 am Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188342 Posts	Posted 11/30/2025 3:24 pm Nice example. Could be AU. 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
Jaobler Pillar of the Community United States 6384 Posts	Posted 11/30/2025 11:13 pm Can we get a sharply focused shot of the date? It appears to be strongly repunched but a better photo would be nice. Report this Post to the Staff
panzaldi Bedrock of the Community United States 18663 Posts	Posted 12/04/2025 1:02 pm based on the surfaces i'd say it was improperly stored and may have some PVC residual. I would give her an acetone bath. the veins in the leaves are strong. strong rays. AU53. if you give her a bath repost it. if it cleans up might go as high as 55 Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 679

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