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Newly discovered 1867-S Half Eagle also shatters previous auction record in $10.665 million U.S. coins event; 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note Leads $8.7 million U.S. currency auction.
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No Shield Nickels were struck in 1877 and 1878; but, in the 1879 comeback, just 25,900 were minted making it the second lowest mintage for the series. Scarce in all grades and entering the realm of rarity in its finest high-end gem grades. Also a very appealing issue that comes with incredible luster and a full, strong strike.
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:
2882
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, 1879
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:
1879
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
25,900
Coinage Type:
Shield nickel
Coinage Years:
1867-1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3808
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1879 5c MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1879-5c-shield-nickel/gsid/2882 GSID: 2882 Title: 1879 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1879 5c MS
Value By Grade
1879 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 |
|
$18,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $15,500 | $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
1879 5C MS66+ NGC. ...
$6,100
1879 5C AU58 PCGS. While early Shield nickel mintages stretched into the millions, coinage of the type in 1879 dropped to j...
$2,928
1879 5C MS62 NGC. ...
$2,928
1879 5C VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: 7 in 25, 203 finer (1/26). CDN: $840 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 25,900....
$1,098
1879 5C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 8 in 35, 190 finer (12/25). CDN: $1,050 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 25,900....
$1,586
1879 5C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 12 in 55, 137 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,900 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 25,900. ...
$2,318
1879 5C MS65 PCGS....
$5,040
1879 Shield Nickel. EF Details--Damage (PCGS).
$720
1879 5C XF45 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (3/36). Mintage 25,900. ...
$1,800
1879 5C MS64 PCGS. Satiny surfaces show no distracting abrasions on this near-Gem 1879 Shield nickel. Warm lavender-gold to...
$3,240
1879 5C AG3 PCGS. PCGS Population: (3/224). NGC Census: (1/93). CDN: $300 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AG3 . Mintage 25,900. ...
$336
1879 Shield Nickel. MS-67 (PCGS).
$12,000
1879 Shield Nickel. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.
$2,400
1879 5c NGC AU Details (Improperly Cleaned)
$340
1879 5C Good 4 NGC. NGC Census: (1/86). PCGS Population: (1/210). CDN: $350 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS Good 4 . M...
$456
1879 5C MS60 ANACS. Fletcher-04, Repunched Date. ...
$2,040
1879 5C VG8 PCGS. PCGS Population: (2/201). NGC Census: (0/83). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintag...
$456
1879 5C VF20 PCGS. PCGS Population (3/171). NGC Census: (2/74). Mintage: 25,900. CDN Wsl. Price for problem free NGC/PCGS c...
$588
1879 NGC VF-30
$661
1879 5C Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population (4/150). NGC Census: (1/74). Mintage: 25,900. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem free N...
$356
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Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
