See the attached - I can't seem to find anything on line, or I am just using the wrong key words. I know this is a common variety of the Shield Nickel, but can seem to find any facts about it. The scans suck - but I just loved how clear the S separation was. Crap - went to look and ended buying this coin and a few others. I need to stay away from the shop. Any info or links appreciated.
I could not find anything at PCGS, but I did just find http://www.shieldnickels.net/. It is just one of many varieties for 1868. A local coin shop is a place to visit that you just hate to leave without buying something - I did this once about a year ago. We only have 1 real one close to me(about 30 minutes - I visited someothers in town, but they were not dedicated to coins). In this coin shop they actually let me view coins(in holders) that are really cool and expensive. I always end up buying a few "off the rack" in my price range.
OOps forgot to mention that it is variety 05-1868-904 or variety 05-1868-905 according to this link. Without an example I am not sure how broken the S in states needs to be - on this coin to the eye the S in states is broken, but when you light it up with a magnifying glass you can barely see the connection in the S.
Howard Spindel is a great guy!....I've known him for a few years now. His site should have anything about Sheild Nickels there is to know. Speedy
Hi All, I agree! Howard will know just about anything there is to know about Shield Nickels and varieties thereof! have Fun, Bill
Well - I think you all are correct. Been looking at the site for about an hour now. I never really knew 1 coin could have so many varieties. I lucked into this variety talking to the dealer - I asked for one of the rays and no rays to compare. He pulled it out and let me borrow a magnifying glass - I noticed the clipped C and S and thought - what a cool coin. Actually did not even worry about the grade - but it looks better than one on Ebay(like I said the scan was pathetic) and it is listed at almost 3 1/2 times what I paid. So I am more than happy with the coin and the cost - damn I plan on going back and buying a few other nickels in this series. And what was really bad was when he brought out a pattern coin - boy did I want that one! What a beauty it was. Sigh!
Mark - just be sure you do your homework before buying the coins. Not all of them will be worth more than you pay. Some of them may well cost more than they are worth. It's helpful to know which is which beforehand.
The 1868 shield nickel comes with three different reverse hub designs, yours is a hub of 1868 only used in this one year. There was only one master hub of this type and it is known for all of the broken letter dies that it created. I believe eventually it got up to seven broken letters before it was retired. From your description I would say that you do have the three broken letter reverse. The top of the S in States retained a thin lower relief strip of metal connecting the serif to the body of the letter when seen under magnification. There are literally thousands of die varieties in the shield nickel series. Most people just concentrateon the doubled dies or the repunched dates. I believe there are over fifty different doubled dies for 1872 alone. A variety collector could spend a lifetime just collecting varieties of this series.
I try to do some home work - but it is really hard without coins in hand to practice grading. And I never expect the coins I get at the local shop to be worth more than what I pay. I actually think the one I bought is only worth about 40 bucks(no matter what they go on ebay for, even in the variety I have). There is a couple of people down at the local shop that took time to go over a comparisons of two coins and why they have the price they do. Very helpful. One of the reason I did not come back sooner to this post was because I have spent hours looking at coins on ebay(and many other sites) to compare prices and grades of the shield nickels(with what I bought). I have been tracking some on ebay just to see what they sell at. I have come to the conclusion that decent finds in the shield nickels(and flying eagles) are rare. I have also been searching for some of the key dates - they are tough to find. I now understand why some people stay away from ebay - it gets really tough grading the coins from the scans and most of the prices are ridiculous. I also need to add that once I buy them they do not go anywhere but into the old safe. Of all my coins I have only parted with one - a 1990 1/2 oz gold eagle which did not fit into my collection. I just completed getting all the ms/pr69 silver eagles (with the exception of 1997 and 1995w) and I am still wondering what my next project will be - I know I am going to look for a few other varieties on the shield nickels, but I doubt my project will be a shield nickel set. The only thing I know is I do not want anything modern. I do appreciate all the advice and info.
I don't think that is what he meant...at least that isn't how I took it. Sure it is lots easyer to learn how to grade better with coin in hand but to find varieties and the like you need to learn before buying. I have seen many what look to be VAMS on Morgans at the shop up town but since I know next to nothing about VAMS I don't buy them. I need to learn more about them first....I think that is what he was saying but he can speak for himself when he gets here. Speedy
Yep - I think you are right. In all honesty I never thought of all the varieties that could exist on any one coin. The books I just bought really did not discuss the varites. And yet I learn something else new. I think next time before going to the shop I will pick out a couple of coins (like liberty nickels) and do some research first - other that just looking at my new grading book. And if nothing else - I will have a lot of various coins for my heirs to sort thru - and which I had fun buying.
You got the idea. But more than anything it is wise to become familiar with values before buying. You may think the prices on ebay are rediculous - and many of them are for too many people who don't what they are buying or understand the values bid on the coins. But once you learn to separate the wheat from the chaff you will find the prices on ebay quite accurate. You should also check realized prices on Heritage before buying any more. And don't forget - it happens more often than not that dealers charge more than coins are really worth.
