Shield Nickel

1866–1883

The first US nickel-alloy 5-cent coin, replacing the small silver half dime after the Civil War drove silver coinage out of circulation. Its obverse shows a Civil War-era shield, and its earliest issues (1866 and part of 1867) featured rays between the reverse stars -- quickly dropped after the design caused striking and die-clashing problems. The Liberty Head "V" nickel replaced it in 1883.