History of US Nickels Coin Collection: Key Designs and Rarity

The history of US nickels coin collection represents one of the most fascinating and accessible areas of American numismatics. For over 150 years, the five-cent piece has evolved through distinct design periods, each reflecting the cultural, political, and artistic sensibilities of its era. From the post-Civil War Shield nickel to the modern Jefferson series, collecting US nickels offers both novice and experienced numismatists an opportunity to explore American history through coinage.

The Foundation of Nickel Collecting

The history of US nickels coin collection began in earnest during the late 19th century when coin collecting emerged as a popular hobby among Americans. Unlike other denominations that required significant financial investment, nickels provided an affordable entry point into numismatics while still offering substantial historical significance and collecting challenges.

The five-cent piece holds a unique position in American coinage history. Before 1866, the five-cent denomination was represented by a small silver coin called the half dime. However, the Civil War created a shortage of precious metals, leading to the development of the first true nickel—a larger coin made from a copper-nickel alloy that would become the standard composition for decades to come.

Shield Nickels (1866-1883): The Pioneer Era

Historical Context and Design

The Shield nickel marked the beginning of the modern history of US nickels coin collection. Introduced in 1866, this first five-cent coin featured a copper-nickel composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel—a formula that remains the standard today, with only brief exceptions during wartime.

The obverse design showcased a prominent shield, symbolizing the unity and strength of America during the turbulent Reconstruction period following the Civil War. This patriotic motif resonated with a nation seeking to rebuild and reunify after years of conflict.

Design Variations and Collecting Challenges

The reverse design of Shield nickels presents one of the most interesting aspects of their collecting history. Initially, the reverse featured a large numeral “5” surrounded by thirteen stars and radiating rays. However, production difficulties arose almost immediately due to the complex design.

The rays proved problematic during the minting process, causing dies to break prematurely and resulting in poorly struck coins. Consequently, the rays were removed mid-1867, creating two distinct varieties:

• 1866-1867 “With Rays” variety
• 1867-1883 “Without Rays” variety

Key Dates and Rarity

Among Shield nickels, certain dates stand out in the history of US nickels coin collection for their rarity and value:

• 1880: Extremely rare in circulation strike format
• 1881: Low mintage making high-grade examples valuable
• 1877: Proof-only issue with no circulation strikes

The 1880 Shield nickel particularly exemplifies the excitement of nickel collecting, as high-grade examples can command thousands of dollars despite the coin’s modest five-cent face value.

Liberty Head Nickels (1883-1913): The Elegant Period

Design Innovation and the “No Cents” Controversy

The Liberty Head nickel series represents a pivotal chapter in the history of US nickels coin collection. Introduced in 1883, this design replaced the Shield nickel with a more refined aesthetic featuring Liberty’s profile on the obverse and a large Roman numeral “V” surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

The most famous episode in Liberty Head nickel history occurred immediately upon release. The 1883 “No Cents” variety omitted the word “CENTS” from the design, displaying only the Roman numeral “V.” This oversight led to a brief but notorious fraud scheme where unscrupulous individuals gold-plated these nickels and attempted to pass them off as five-dollar gold coins, which were similar in size.

The similarity was striking enough that the U.S. Mint quickly corrected the design, adding “CENTS” below the wreath later in 1883. This created two distinct 1883 varieties that remain popular with collectors today.

The Legendary 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Perhaps no coin in the history of US nickels coin collection captures the imagination quite like the 1913 Liberty Head nickel. Though the Liberty Head series officially ended in 1912, five examples dated 1913 were secretly struck, likely by a mint employee.

These five coins represent the holy grail of nickel collecting:

• Only five examples are known to exist
• Each coin has a documented ownership history
• Sale prices have exceeded $5 million for individual specimens
• The coins have inspired books, documentaries, and countless collecting dreams

Other Key Dates and Varieties

Beyond the famous 1913 issue, several other dates command attention in Liberty Head nickel collecting:

• 1885: Extremely low mintage of approximately 1.4 million
• 1886: Another low-mintage date highly sought by collectors
• 1912-S: The only San Francisco mint Liberty Head nickel

Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938): America’s Artistic Triumph

Design Philosophy and Cultural Significance

The Buffalo nickel series represents perhaps the most beloved chapter in the history of US nickels coin collection. Designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, these coins embodied a distinctly American artistic vision that departed from classical European motifs.

Fraser’s design featured:

• Obverse: A composite portrait of three Native American chiefs
• Reverse: An American bison, modeled after “Black Diamond” from the Bronx Zoo

This design philosophy reflected the early 20th century’s romantic view of the American frontier and represented a conscious effort to create uniquely American coinage.

The Two Types of 1913

The inaugural year of Buffalo nickel production created an immediate collecting opportunity that continues to define the history of US nickels coin collection. Two distinct types were produced in 1913:

Type I (1913 early production):

• Bison standing on a raised mound
• “FIVE CENTS” positioned below the bison
• Proved susceptible to rapid wear in circulation

Type II (1913 late production through 1938):

• Bison standing on a redesigned, flatter ground line
• “FIVE CENTS” recessed into the design for better protection
• Improved durability in circulation

Famous Varieties and Errors

The Buffalo nickel series produced several varieties that have become legendary in collecting circles:

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo:

• Most famous error in the series
• Created when excessive die polishing removed the bison’s front right leg
• Highly sought after by collectors and commands substantial premiums

1918/7-D Overdate:

• Clear evidence of an 8 punched over a 7 in the date
• Represents wartime production efficiency measures
• Extremely valuable in all grades

Collecting Challenges and Rewards

Buffalo nickels present unique challenges in the history of US nickels coin collection:

• High relief design led to rapid wear in circulation
• Date and mintmark areas were particularly vulnerable to wear
• “Dateless” Buffalo nickels became common, spawning a cottage industry of date restoration services

Despite these challenges, Buffalo nickels remain extremely popular due to their:

• Distinctly American design themes
• Reasonable affordability for most dates
• Rich variety of collectible errors and die states

Jefferson Nickels (1938-Present): The Modern Era

Introduction and Design Evolution

The Jefferson nickel series began in 1938 and continues today, representing the longest-running design in the history of US nickels coin collection. The original design featured Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Virginia home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Wartime Silver Nickels (1942-1945)

World War II created a unique chapter in nickel collecting history. From 1942 to 1945, nickels were struck in a silver alloy composition consisting of:

• 35% silver
• 56% copper
• 9% manganese

These “war nickels” are easily identifiable by their large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse. Notably, this period marked the first time Philadelphia-minted coins bore a mintmark (“P”), making them historically significant beyond their silver content.

War nickels remain popular with both coin collectors and silver stackers, offering dual appeal for their numismatic and precious metal value.

The Westward Journey Series (2004-2005)

The early 21st century brought temporary design changes commemorating the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Westward Journey Nickel Series featured:

2004 Designs:

• Peace Medal reverse (Louisiana Purchase theme)
• Keelboat reverse (Lewis and Clark expedition)

2005 Designs:

• American Bison reverse
• Ocean in View reverse
• New forward-facing Jefferson portrait

Modern Collecting Opportunities

Contemporary Jefferson nickel collecting focuses on several key areas:

Full Steps Designation:

• Refers to complete, unbroken lines representing Monticello’s steps
• Requires exceptional strike quality
• Commands significant premiums over regular examples

Key Dates and Varieties:

• 1939-D: First Denver mint Jefferson nickel
• 1939-S: Low mintage San Francisco issue
• 1943/2-P: Clear overdate variety
• 1971 No S Proof: Extremely rare proof coin missing mintmark

Building a Nickel Collection

Getting Started in Nickel Collecting

The history of US nickels coin collection offers multiple entry points for new collectors:

Complete Type Set Approach:

• Acquire one example of each major design type
• Relatively affordable way to span 150+ years of history
• Allows focus on condition rather than completion

Series Completion:

• Choose one series (Buffalo, Jefferson, etc.) for complete collection
• Provides focused collecting goals
• Teaches about specific historical periods

Variety and Error Collecting:

• Focus on interesting varieties and mint errors
• Can be pursued across all series
• Often provides excellent value and excitement

Storage and Preservation

Proper storage remains crucial in nickel collecting:

• Albums and folders: Traditional storage methods for circulated coins
• Holders and slabs: Professional grading services for valuable pieces
• Environmental control: Protecting coins from humidity and temperature fluctuations

The Future of Nickel Collecting

The history of US nickels coin collection continues to evolve. Modern production techniques have largely eliminated the dramatic varieties that made earlier series exciting, but new opportunities emerge:

• Low mintage commemoratives create instant collectibles
• First Day of Issue and First Release designations add modern collecting categories
• Population reports from grading services provide data-driven collecting approaches

Conclusion

The history of US nickels coin collection spans over 150 years of American numismatic tradition. From the patriotic Shield nickels of the Reconstruction era through the artistic triumph of Buffalo nickels to the ongoing Jefferson series, five-cent pieces offer collectors an affordable yet comprehensive journey through American history.

Whether pursuing a complete type set, focusing on a specific series, or hunting for varieties and errors, nickel collecting provides endless opportunities for discovery and education. The accessibility of most dates, combined with the occasional rare treasure, ensures that the history of US nickels coin collection will continue to attract new generations of numismatists.

As American coinage evolves, the nickel remains a constant—a small but significant piece of metal that carries the weight of history and the promise of future discoveries for collectors willing to explore its rich and varied past.