USA 5 cents Union Shield With Rays 1867
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 5 cents |
| Krause number | KM# 96 |
| Mintage | 2,019,000 |
| Metal | Copper-Nickel |
| thickness | 1.9 mm |
| diameter | 20.5 mm |
| weight | 5 g |
Obverse:
Coat of arms
Creators:
James Barton Longacre
IN GOD WE TRUST
Reverse:
Star
Creators:
James Barton Longacre
5 CENTS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
In late 1866 there was already discussion of removing the rays from the reverse of the five-cent piece in an attempt to make the coins strike up more fully. The continued urgent demand for nickels to retire five-cent notes did not allow for any delays in coining, so a modest number was coined early in 1867 before this change could be effected. Actually, a mintage of more than two million pieces is small only when compared to the nearly 29 million produced without rays later in the year. This subtype With Rays is readily available in worn condition, but Mint State examples are scarce, gems genuinely rare. They displays the same flaws as the 1866 pieces, and few of them are fully struck. So many varieties are known for Shield Nickels that ones which would be of considerable interest for another coin type are largely overshadowed within this series.Read More
