I've been working on my type set as of late, adding, trading, and updating pieces as I come across nice specimens. I have always had a hard time finding nice shield nickels and have had an okay F-12 1866 w/rays in my set for some years now. But I came across this one two days ago and returned to the shop today and trading in an 1882 shield and the 1866 in F (which I payed all of $30 for the pair) and threw in $70 more it was mine. I think I did pretty good as the coin looks to be a border line XF/AU, and still has a goodly amount of mint luster remaining.
I don't like the shield nickels very much, but I must say, you have a nice find there... Congrats, and good luck on your type set!
Looks like an AU, but I don't see any of the mint luster you were talking about. I assume it is just the pictures.
yeah, not having a place of my own to take my pictures I end up tipping a floor lamp over to get the "right" light and angling certain things and moving this and that and just never seem to get the light right, because right now my coin room is still a child's bedroom. Although in a a decade or so...
That's heresy!! :goofer: I like Shield Nickels. I LOVE the numeral '5' on the reverse and I like the details in the lines on the shield of a well-struck uncirculated example. That's more like it, Green. Gotta love those Shields. :high5: Nice coin, BQ. Those 'With Rays' Shields are tough.
BQ, I like your story You upgraded one of the coins in your collection after having had it for years. Patience pays off. In these days of "instant gratification", it's easier to pat someone on the back because they "sniped" an ebay auction or got an unbelievable deal. It's nice to hear about the search that took months and months and even years. In fact, it's the sign of the true collector.
It's interesting to check out the US Mint's other options at the time... patterns. Check this action : http://uspatterns.com/j461.html Other 1866 5c patterns here : http://uspatterns.com/pat181.html Extend your type set past the "same ol' same ol' Red Book" - add patterns ! :kewl:
