I probably have the world's ugliest collection of Shield nickels, but its missing the 1879, 1880, and 1881. I've been unable to find those dates in circulated grades. When I've called several dealers I've gotten either of two responses 1) there's not much demand for them, they're expensive (an oxymoron), or 2) sorry, we only deal in mint state coins. Any ideas on how I can find those low mintage years? Sure, I'd love to own 'em in MS grades but I don't have 5 figures to spend. Frankly, the more corroded the better they'd match the rest of my set.
1879, ugly, and hard to see: http://cgi.ebay.com/1879-SHIELD-NIC...39:1|66:2|65:10|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
I have seen very few of them in low grade. In general these are very hard to come by. I would still like the 1879 and 1880 in a business strike, but usually the ones I see are more than I am willing to pay. For the 1879 and 1880 I actually found it easier to get a proof coin. I got the 1881 from Ebay in AU condition, and then the 1879 and 1880 off of heritage. The 1879/8 I got from Harlan J Berk.
Hello, Fellow Members of CoinTalk ! An' Yes, it has been awhile since I posted anything, so thought better late/than never, right ? Well, as most of you know, I am a Jefferson Nickel (Nut) Collector . I've been busy collecting Jeff/Varities' , an yes,,,it's tough road to hoe', got all of the Major Varietys,(in Mixed-Grades & Grading-Services. I only have (1) left, that keeps eluding me ! ( 1946- D/D horizontal D ) Just where can a person find one of these ? I'd take any grade, just as long as it's slabbed, by a reputable grading service. I do however, stay with the Certified , in the Top 4 ! If anyone has any (helpful) advice for finding this Jeff/ please get back to me, ok? I'd most certainly be indebt'ed to you ! hya:
That's one ugly nickel, and it would match my set, but it's a real pig-in-a-poke. Lots of warning signs in that auction: typos, sold "as is", and no closeup pics of the date.
I'd love to see a coin shop that only deals in mint state shield nickels. Their inventory must be uninspiring. Your best bet might be a coin show, if there are any where you live. Most of the shows I go to, there are many dealers who have books of coins, including shield nickels, in circulated grades. It just takes time and patience to search through them all. Good luck! Guy~
Well finding shield nickels is easy - but finding 1879, 1880 in business strikes that are affordable is hard. Not so much the 1881 - but even it is scarce to find. And the OP would like something in the (problem free probably) AG to F range I think and those are scarce in these dates. One of the reasons I went with proof in the 79 and 80 - easier and cheaper to find. And no offense to the OP - if I do find one in that range I will purchase it myself.
By the way here is an XF45 coin http://cgi.ebay.com/1879-Shield-Nickel-PCGS-XF45-Tough-Semi-Key_W0QQitemZ370092248014QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370092248014&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14. But I would stay away because of the price and to me the reverse looks corroded with that green stuff(or what appears to be green).
