Lot 165
1866 Shield Nickel. NGC graded MS-64. Gleaming luster beneath appealing golden gray toning. The failings that make this a 64 versus a 65 are so minor it seems a tossup. On the obverse is a gigantic circular diebreak outside the shield, testimony to the Mint's difficulty in striking nickel, which in 1866 was a new coinage metal. In this case, the die was shattering as the coin was being minted. The strike here is quite sharp, which may explain why the die was breaking apart--the pressure was set too hard. All in all, a beautiful and interesting coin to examine--and own!
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| Realized $633 |
