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Only the 1879 and 1880 have lower mintages than this highly collectible 1881 in which 68,000 coins were minted originally. It is a tougher but accessible issue in all grades up to gem level where the coins become quite scarce. This date is known to have high-quality surfaces and pleasing eye appeal that, along with its scarcity, makes it very desirable.
Obverse Description
A shield flanked on the left and right by leaves topped with a cross with arrows positioned behind at the bottom so the arrow heads and shanks protrude at the sides. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears at the top periphery with the date positioned at the bottom center.
Reverse Description
A large numeral 5 surrounded by 13 stars centered in the design with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS around the periphery.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2884
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1881
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
5, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
20.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1881
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
68,800
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3811
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1881 5c MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1881-5c-shield-nickel/gsid/2884 GSID: 2884 Title: 1881 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1881 5c MS
Value By Grade
1881 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$8,250 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $7,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c Rays, 1866-1867 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/raysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866 5c Rays MS
Worth: $15 – $36,000
1866/1866 5c Rays, Repunched Date MS
Worth: $150 – $14,400
1867 5c Rays MS
Worth: $17 – $36,000
Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]
![Shield Nickel 5c No Rays, 1867-1883 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/noRaysMS.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $13 – $2,592
1867 5c No Rays MS
Worth: $13 – $10,800
1868 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $10,800
1869 5c MS
Worth: $13 – $6,000
1870 5c MS
Worth: $15 – $2,200
1871 5c MS
Worth: $45 – $12,600
1872 5c MS
Worth: $25 – $12,600
1873 5c Closed 3 MS
Worth: $30 – $4,800
1873 5c Open 3 MS
Worth: $18 – $3,250
1873 5c Large/Small 3, Open 3, FS-1301 MS
Worth: $6,000 – $19,000
1873 5c Doubled Die Obverse MS
Worth: $70 – $3,000
1881 Shield Nickel. VF-30 (PCGS).
$537
1881 5C MS66 PCGS. ...
$3,904
1881 Shield Nickel. Fine Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS).
$207
1881 Shield Nickel. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.
$1,586
1881 5C -- Corroded -- ANACS Details. VF20 Details. Mintage 68,800. ...
$232
1881 5C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: 6 in 53, 109 finer (4/26). CDN: $675 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 68,800. ...
$763
1881 5C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: 15 in 50, 198 finer (2/26). CDN: $650 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 68,800. ...
$763
1881 5C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 13 in 35, 269 finer (2/26). CDN: $465 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 68,800. ...
$519
1881 5C XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 28 in 40, 241 finer (2/26). CDN: $525 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 68,800. ...
$573
1881 5C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 17 in 15, 323 finer (1/26). CDN: $380 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 68,80...
$427
1881 5C MS65 PCGS. ...
$3,294
1881 5C Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: 13 in 6, 384 finer (11/25). CDN: $235 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 6 . Mintage 68,800...
$293
1881 5C VG8 NGC. NGC Census: 10 in 8, 175 finer (11/25). CDN: $300 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 68,800. ...
$324
1881 Shield Nickel. VG Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS).
$216
1881 5C MS61 NGC....
$1,500
1881 5C AU55 ANACS. Mintage 68,800. ...
$690
1881 Shield Nickel. Fine Details--Excessive Corrosion (PCGS).
$144
1881 Shield Nickel. VG-10 (PCGS).
$336
1881 Shield Nickel. AG-3 (PCGS).
$168
1881 5C VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (7/138). PCGS Population: (10/285). CDN: $420 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 68,800. ...
$456
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