1870 Shield Nickel

The Shield Nickel was designed by James B. Longacre and struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. It contains a copper-nickel alloy, and weighs 5 grams. The coins were minted in various quantities, depending on the year: in 1866, almost 91 million pieces were produced. The mintage declined over time, and in 1883 the Shield Nickel ceased to be produced.

The obverse of the Shield Nickel features a large, ornate shield that is representative of the United States. The shield is surrounded by small symbols on the left and right, including a bundle of rods and a cornucopia. Across the top is the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

On the reverse, the inscription “FIVE CENTS” is inscribed inside a wreath. There is a numeral five in Roman numerals (V) below the wreath. The reverse also features a small wreath around the numeral.

The Shield Nickel was the first official five-cent coinage released in the United States, and it was an important milestone in the US Mint's history. It has a notable design, with ornate details on the obverse and reverse that are reflective of the nation's spirit. Although theShield Nickel is no longer in active production, it is still an important part of US coinage history.