1879 5C

1881 5C

1880 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS66

PCGS MS65

PCGS #:: 3810

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 16,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $198,995 • MS66 • 01-03-2023 • eBay

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Major Varieties

1880 5C

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	100	R-8.0	1 / 17	1 / 19
60 or Better	30	R-8.9	1 / 17	1 / 19
65 or Better	3	R-9.8	1 / 17	1 / 19

Survival Estimate
All Grades	100
60 or Better	30
65 or Better	3

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.0
60 or Better	R-8.9
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	1 / 17
60 or Better	1 / 17
65 or Better	1 / 17

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	1 / 19
60 or Better	1 / 19
65 or Better	1 / 19

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Just Having Fun Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Stack's/Bowers 6/2014:1268, not sold - Heritage 1/2015:4032, $117,500 - Heritage 1/2016:5284, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 8/2016:3039, not sold
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Greenbrier River Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2012:3080, $74,750 - Heritage 8/2014:3258, $88,125 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:49, $91,062.50
3	MS65 PCGS grade	American Numismatic Rarities 5/2005:88, $43,700 - Heritage 1/2006:3106, $46,000 - High Rise Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2017:2041, $56,400 - Hansin Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS65 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 6/2013:1125, $73,496
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 4/2006:864, $60,375 - Mitch Green Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2005:10130, $57,500
3	MS65 PCGS grade
10	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Just Having Fun Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Stack's/Bowers 6/2014:1268, not sold - Heritage 1/2015:4032, $117,500 - Heritage 1/2016:5284, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 8/2016:3039, not sold

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Greenbrier River Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2012:3080, $74,750 - Heritage 8/2014:3258, $88,125 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:49, $91,062.50

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

American Numismatic Rarities 5/2005:88, $43,700 - Heritage 1/2006:3106, $46,000 - High Rise Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2017:2041, $56,400 - Hansin Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 6/2013:1125, $73,496

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 4/2006:864, $60,375 - Mitch Green Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2005:10130, $57,500

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

#10 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

Among all the Shield Nickels, the 1880 has the lowest mintage of any circulation strike date in the series. The problem with this situation is that the low mintage consists primarily of Prooflike examples. Thus, a poorly made proof example, of which there are many, is often presented as a circulation strike, which is worth considerably more than a Proof. To counter this, we recommend dealing only in certified examples, because these have been checked out and vetted by the experts at PCGS.

The extremely low population of certified Mint State examples consists of less than two dozen that have been certified by PCGS. Of those, only a single MS66 exists, with none finer.