Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Dear Board, I am currently grading and evaluating several US coins for a friend. Enclosed here are images of one of them: an 1868 Shield nickel. They were sent to me so I do not have the coin in hand to study. Nevertheless, a careful examination of the pictures has turned up no definite signs of wear on any of the high points which has led me to lean in favor of a rather high MS grade for the coin, maybe even MS-65 which seems a bit hard to believe. What do others think? I am a bit concerned with the coloration/smudged look on the reverse in the fields around the large numeral '5'. Could this be evidence of gentle cleaning? My sincere thanks in advance for any insight that can be offered in these matters. I hear there is a reverse variety for this year, so I will be investigating this as well as I enjoy attributing coins, whether ancient or modern. Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
Looks UNC to me as well. The Cherrypickers Guide list several varieties for this date but I don't see one that matches.
That's a great Shield 5C. Late die state judging from the die cracks on the obverse, and weakness in the raised devices.
Dear Board, Many thanks for all the valuable input! By chance, does anyone think the reverse was cleaned a little in the fields? Perhaps I am scrutinizing the coin too much. And yes, I look forward to any leads on the correct variety. Thanks to everyone again for all the help already. Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
At first I thought so - but I am not good enough to say for certain. Either way that is one nice looking shield nickel.
