1867 Shield Nickel No Rays Key Transitional Type | Mid-Year Redesign 517

Denomination: 5C

Coin: Shield

Year: 1867

Strike Type: Business

Fineness: 0.95

Mint Location: Philadelphia

KM Number: 109

Variety: No Rays

Country of Origin: United States

Up for auction/sale is a high-grade 1867 Shield Nickel featuring the No Rays reverse design in choice AU to MS (About Uncirculated to Mint State) condition.

Midway through 1867, the U.S. Mint removed the decorative rays between the reverse stars to ease pressure on coinage dies and prevent frequent die breakage on hard copper-nickel planchets. This modification created the famous "No Rays" type, establishing the primary design that would carry the series through 1883. Finding problem-free examples in near-Uncirculated to Mint State condition with crisp detail and remaining mint luster is exceptionally tough. This specimen exhibits incredible detail across the obverse shield lines and reverse stars, making it a stellar centerpiece for any Shield Nickel collection or 19th-century U.S. type set.