As of May, 2024, a 1870 Nickel in circulated condition is worth between $250.00 and $325.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $350.00 and $2,500.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $3,163.00 in the 11/15/2011 by renowned auctioneer Stack's Bowers, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: James Barton Longacre
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 20.50 millimeters
Weight: 5.00 grams
Mintage: 1,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

1870 Nickel (Proof) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-66+2,500.00
MS-661,500.00
MS-65+1,000.00
MS-65850.00
MS-64+700.00
MS-64600.00
MS-63+550.00
MS-63500.00
MS-62+475.00
MS-62450.00
MS-61375.00
MS-60350.00
AU-58+325.00
AU-58300.00
AU-55+275.00
AU-55250.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State350.002,500.00820.83
About Uncirculated250.00325.00287.50

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1870 Shield Nickel. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1870 Nickel (Regular Strike)35.00325.00350.006,000.00
1870 Nickel RPD FS-301 (Regular Strike)100.001,700.00N/AN/A
1870 Nickel DDR FS-801 (Regular Strike)100.001,100.001,500.005,500.00
1870 Nickel DDO & RPD FS-101 (Regular Strike)45.00175.003,600.003,600.00
1870 Nickel DDO FS-102 (Regular Strike)N/AN/A2,250.002,250.00
1870 Nickel, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A500.0012,500.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1870 Nickel (Proof) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$384.00

Lowest Sale Price
$1,840.00

Highest Sale Price
$854.97

Average Sale Price
$650.00

Most Recent Sale Price
97

Number of Sales
$82,932.50

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-672,750.002,750.002,750.00
MS-66+1,645.001,645.001,645.00
MS-66702.003,163.001,527.09
MS-65+720.00720.00720.00
MS-65384.001,840.00854.97
MS-644.201,323.00473.31
MS-63+288.00306.00297.00
MS-63207.00770.00309.70
MS-62201.00288.00236.40
MS-61230.00230.00230.00
MS-60120.00504.00280.80
AU-50132.00132.00132.00
PO-1242.00242.00242.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1870 Nickel (Proof) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-67. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-66 having the highest max price $3,163.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1870 Nickel (Proof).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1870 Nickel (Proof) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 70.28% share, followed by Stack's Bowers / David Lawrence RC with 8.84% / 6.02% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1870 Nickel (Proof) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-65PCGSDavid Lawrence RC650.0004/16/2023
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions348.0002/22/2023
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions630.0001/04/2023
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions408.0012/14/2022
MS-65NGCGoldberg Auctioneers528.0009/28/2022
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions336.0009/07/2022
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers600.0008/31/2022
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,275.0005/15/2022
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions444.0003/23/2022
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions288.0003/16/2022
MS-62PCGSHeritage Auctions240.0011/03/2021
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions399.6010/27/2021
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions504.0010/04/2021
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions384.0008/25/2021
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers528.0008/25/2021
MS-60PCGSStack's Bowers216.0006/16/2021
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions420.0001/13/2021
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers600.0011/18/2020
MS-63+PCGSStack's Bowers288.0011/18/2020
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions660.0011/04/2020
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions552.0011/04/2020
MS-60PCGSHeritage Auctions504.0010/17/2020
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions960.0010/14/2020
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions456.0009/09/2020
MS-60PCGSStack's Bowers120.0007/29/2020
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers930.0002/18/2020
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions432.0001/22/2020
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers336.0011/20/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions900.0010/24/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions456.0005/01/2019
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions552.0002/13/2019
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions384.0012/14/2018
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions552.0010/14/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions324.0008/29/2018
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions576.0006/17/2018
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions720.0006/17/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions312.0005/09/2018
MS-65PCGSDavid Lawrence RC650.0005/07/2018
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions690.0004/29/2018
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions228.0003/27/2018
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions456.0003/20/2018
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions552.0002/22/2018
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions132.0001/30/2018
MS-66PCGSBonham's702.0009/05/2017
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers264.0008/23/2017
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions240.0008/22/2017
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions605.1308/02/2017
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers1,116.2508/01/2017
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers705.0003/29/2017
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions376.0002/21/2017
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,116.2501/04/2017
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions305.5012/27/2016
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions387.7509/20/2016
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions575.7509/07/2016
MS-63PCGSDavid Lawrence RC300.0008/29/2016
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions258.5008/16/2016
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions376.0008/16/2016
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions233.8308/16/2016
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,645.0007/07/2016
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions1,292.5006/08/2016
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions470.0005/03/2016
MS-66+PCGSStack's Bowers1,645.0003/30/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,145.6302/04/2016
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions654.4801/06/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,233.7512/03/2015
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions646.2510/29/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,292.5010/29/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0008/16/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,645.0008/16/2015
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions734.3808/16/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions364.2507/28/2015
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions258.5006/21/2015
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions258.5005/31/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions1,116.2504/26/2015
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers1,086.8802/06/2015
MS-65NGCStack's Bowers1,145.6302/06/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions376.0002/03/2015
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,057.5002/01/2015
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions763.7501/07/2015
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions282.0001/04/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0010/27/2014
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions881.2510/08/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,586.2510/08/2014
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions411.2510/08/2014
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions705.0004/23/2014
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions763.7502/03/2014
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions763.7501/08/2014
MS-65NGCDavid Lawrence RC825.0012/29/2013
MS-64NGCStack's Bowers387.7512/10/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions852.0012/05/2013
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions588.0012/05/2013
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions306.0009/25/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,880.0009/25/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions823.0008/26/2013
MS-64NGCStack's Bowers388.9307/27/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions646.0007/11/2013
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions382.0006/05/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,998.0006/05/2013
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions470.0004/24/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions752.0002/11/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions707.0001/09/2013
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers653.0001/01/2013
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions259.0011/29/2012
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions223.0009/06/2012
MS-63+NGCHeritage Auctions306.0009/06/2012
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers1,265.0008/04/2012
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions805.0004/18/2012
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions776.0001/03/2012
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions863.0001/03/2012
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers3,163.0011/15/2011
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions748.0011/08/2011
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions805.0010/13/2011
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0009/07/2011
MS-64NGCStack's Bowers403.0008/15/2011
MS-65NGCDavid Lawrence RC928.0006/30/2011
MS-66NGCStack's Bowers1,035.0006/14/2011
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers374.0006/14/2011
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers472.0006/01/2011
MS-66NGCDavid Lawrence RC1,309.0003/31/2011
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions920.0003/17/2011
MS-63NGCBowers & Merena243.0011/09/2010
MS-63PCGSBowers & Merena311.0006/17/2010
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions920.0004/28/2010
PO-1NGCHeritage Auctions242.0004/28/2010
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions403.0003/24/2010
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions431.0003/24/2010
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,093.0001/06/2010
MS-65PCGSScotsman920.0010/16/2009
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions345.0009/11/2009
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers483.0009/08/2009
MS-65NGCBowers & Merena748.0008/05/2009
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions863.0007/31/2009
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0007/29/2009
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions834.0007/08/2009
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions345.0007/01/2009
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,840.0005/01/2009
MS-65PCGSBowers & Merena748.0003/01/2009
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0003/01/2009
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions253.0002/01/2009
MS-64NGCDavid Lawrence RC345.0001/15/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,530.0001/01/2009
MS-64ANACSDavid Lawrence RC345.0012/08/2008
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions920.0012/04/2008
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions230.0012/03/2008
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions1,093.0009/01/2008
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions299.0006/26/2008
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena2,760.0006/01/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,990.0001/09/2008
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions380.0011/14/2007
MS-65PCGSStack's805.0011/13/2007
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions403.0010/02/2007
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0010/02/2007
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions299.0010/02/2007
MS-63PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers380.0009/25/2007
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers380.0009/25/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions431.0008/15/2007
MS-60NCSHeritage Auctions276.0006/05/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,725.0005/29/2007
MS-66PCGSStack's1,265.0005/01/2007
MS-63ANACSDavid Lawrence RC259.0004/02/2007
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0002/20/2007
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers575.0002/13/2007
MS-63PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers420.0002/13/2007
MS-65PCGSDavid Lawrence RC943.0001/22/2007
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions374.0001/09/2007
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions834.0012/11/2006
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0011/29/2006
MS-63PCGSDavid Lawrence RC334.0011/06/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions431.0009/13/2006
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions920.0008/09/2006
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions299.0006/06/2006
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0006/01/2006
MS-64PCGSSuperior Galleries690.0005/28/2006
MS-61ANACSHeritage Auctions230.0003/15/2006
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions546.0001/24/2006
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0001/01/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions546.0009/26/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,185.0007/27/2005
MS-63NGCDavid Lawrence RC265.0006/27/2005
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions863.0006/02/2005
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0006/02/2005
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions805.0005/04/2005
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions366.0001/09/2005
MS-65NGCDavid Lawrence RC861.0011/28/2004
MS-60ANACSHeritage Auctions288.0011/08/2004
MS-65PCGSSuperior Galleries1,840.0008/16/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions201.0007/26/2004
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions776.0006/03/2004
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions776.0005/05/2004
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions863.0005/05/2004
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,064.0005/05/2004
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions1,150.0005/05/2004
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions259.0003/29/2004
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,035.0001/07/2004
MS-64NONEBowers & Merena1,323.0012/04/2003
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions805.0011/07/2003
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions431.0011/07/2003
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0010/22/2003
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions805.0009/01/2003
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions604.0009/01/2003
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions334.0008/27/2003
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0008/06/2003
MS-66NGCSuperior Galleries1,495.0007/27/2003
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0006/25/2003
MS-65PCGSSuperior Galleries1,150.0005/27/2003
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions805.0005/01/2003
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions805.0005/01/2003
MS-65PCGSKingswood Galleries1,121.0003/06/2003
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions863.0002/01/2003
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,840.0001/08/2003
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions661.0011/21/2002
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions776.0011/21/2002
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions437.0010/08/2002
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions834.0009/29/2002
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions863.0007/28/2002
MS-65NGCGoldberg Auctioneers1,121.0006/02/2002
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions661.0004/28/2002
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers403.0002/18/2002
MS-64NGCGoldberg Auctioneers449.0002/18/2002
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,208.0002/01/2002
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions230.0001/30/2002
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions661.0011/18/2001
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions311.0011/18/2001
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions805.0010/06/2001
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions330.0008/22/2001
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,093.0008/08/2001
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0008/08/2001
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions949.0006/02/2001
MS-66NGCSuperior Galleries1,093.0005/27/2001
MS-64NONEHeritage Auctions299.0004/05/2001
MS-66NGCBowers & Merena1,064.0003/15/2001
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions920.0002/01/2001
MS-64NONEBowers & Merena805.0001/03/2001
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions340.0012/14/2000
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions850.0012/07/2000
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions891.0011/16/2000
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions1,000.0011/09/2000
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions350.0010/12/2000
MS-65PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers1,437.0010/02/2000
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,495.0010/01/2000
MS-65PCGSSuperior Galleries978.0006/05/2000
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions901.0003/22/2000
MS-65NONEBowers & Merena1,100.0011/13/1997
MS-67NONEBowers & Merena2,750.0005/20/1996
MS-65PCGSBowers & Merena1,100.0003/21/1996
MS-64NONEStack's908.0010/01/1992
MS-63NONEBowers & Merena770.0003/01/1988
MS-64NONEB. Max Mehl4.2006/01/1941
MS-64NONENumismatic Gallery10.5005/01/1941