1866 Shield Nickels : With Rays

Early Five Cent Nickels

Mintage: 14,742,500

Minted at: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

Designer - Engraver: James B Longacre

Metal Composition: 75% Copper - 25% Nickel

Diameter: 20.5 mm

Mass / Weight: 5 grams

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!
Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-63)	Proof (PR-63)
$43	$56	$73	$123	$207	$281	$438	$612	$2,111

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1866 Shield Nickel (With Rays Variety) is Worth $56 in Average Condition and can be Worth $438 to $612 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof Coins can be Worth $2,111 or more. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.

MELT VALUE: $0.0701