As of May, 2024, a 1870 Nickel in circulated condition is worth between $35.00 and $325.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $350.00 and $6,000.00, 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 $10,281.25 in the 03/26/2020 by renowned auctioneer Legend Rare Coin Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: James Barton Longacre
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 20.50 millimeters
Weight: 5.00 grams
Mintage: 4,806,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

1870 Nickel (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

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

GradePrice($)
MS-66+6,000.00
MS-663,250.00
MS-65+2,000.00
MS-651,600.00
MS-64+1,100.00
MS-64900.00
MS-63+600.00
MS-63500.00
MS-62+450.00
MS-62400.00
MS-61375.00
MS-60350.00
AU-58+325.00
AU-58300.00
AU-55+275.00
AU-55250.00
AU-53+235.00
AU-53225.00
AU-50+210.00
AU-50200.00
XF-45+185.00
XF-45175.00
XF-40150.00
VF-35135.00
VF-30125.00
VF-25110.00
VF-20100.00
F-1590.00
F-1280.00
VG-1070.00
VG-860.00
G-650.00
G-440.00
AG-335.00
FR-235.00
PO-145.00

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 State350.006,000.001,460.42
About Uncirculated200.00325.00252.50
Extremely Fine150.00185.00170.00
Fine and Very Fine80.00135.00106.67
Good and Very Good40.0070.0055.00
Poor, Fair, and About Good35.0045.0038.33

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 (Proof)250.00325.00350.002,500.00
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 (Regular Strike) – 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

$633.00

Lowest Sale Price
$3,738.00

Highest Sale Price
$1,437.56

Average Sale Price
$2,400.00

Most Recent Sale Price
73

Number of Sales
$104,941.60

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-66+3,120.007,637.504,745.94
MS-661,740.0010,281.253,462.92
MS-65+633.003,738.001,437.56
MS-64305.501,495.00562.31
MS-63167.00529.00312.91
MS-62150.00748.00250.53
MS-61211.50306.00258.38
MS-6064.00192.00117.00
AU-58132.00748.00252.98
AU-5554.00207.00140.82
AU-53119.00119.00119.00
AU-5094.00138.00112.38
XF-4548.001,116.25177.28
XF-4045.0094.0069.22
VF-35231.00231.00231.00
VF-3042.0062.0051.25
VF-2556.0087.0069.33
VF-20223.00223.00223.00
F-1533.7533.7533.75
F-1234.0034.0034.00
VG-851.0051.0051.00
AG-315.0015.0015.00
PO-123.0089.0057.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1870 Nickel (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-66+. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-66 having the highest max price $10,281.25.

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 (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1870 Nickel (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 78.07% share, followed by Stack's Bowers / David Lawrence RC with 7.43% / 4.46% 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 (Regular Strike) 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-66+NGCHeritage Auctions4,800.0001/14/2024
MS-65+PCGSStack's Bowers2,400.0008/24/2023
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,560.0008/20/2023
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions990.0005/17/2023
MS-60ANACSStack's Bowers192.0005/10/2023
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions228.0004/10/2023
AU-58PCGSStack's Bowers312.0003/29/2023
MS-66+NGCHeritage Auctions3,120.0012/18/2022
AU-55PCGSDavid Lawrence RC175.0010/09/2022
AU-58NGCGoldberg Auctioneers168.0009/28/2022
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions94.0007/27/2022
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions630.0006/22/2022
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions516.0006/08/2022
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions930.0005/18/2022
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions129.0005/18/2022
MS-66+PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions4,817.5004/28/2022
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,320.0003/21/2022
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers630.0002/15/2022
MS-64PCGSGoldberg Auctioneers780.0002/15/2022
MS-66+PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions5,052.5001/27/2022
AU-53PCGSHeritage Auctions119.0001/12/2022
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions432.0010/13/2021
MS-62NGCStack's Bowers264.0008/25/2021
MS-66+PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions4,817.5007/15/2021
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions94.0003/17/2021
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions89.0001/20/2021
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,740.0011/22/2020
MS-61NGCHeritage Auctions264.0010/21/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,440.0010/17/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,260.0008/09/2020
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions336.0005/06/2020
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions99.0005/06/2020
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions690.0005/06/2020
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,200.0004/26/2020
MS-66PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions10,281.2503/26/2020
VG-8PCGSDavid Lawrence RC51.0012/22/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions900.0012/07/2019
MS-61NGCHeritage Auctions252.0011/13/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,280.0010/24/2019
VF-35PCGSDavid Lawrence RC231.0010/06/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,380.0009/08/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions903.6008/18/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions528.0008/07/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions930.0007/14/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,620.0006/09/2019
AU-55NGCHeritage Auctions156.0005/15/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions504.0005/01/2019
AU-58NGCHeritage Auctions228.0005/01/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,080.0004/28/2019
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,200.0004/28/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions900.0004/28/2019
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers480.0003/05/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions482.4002/06/2019
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions480.0002/03/2019
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions360.0001/02/2019
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions960.0012/14/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions600.0011/14/2018
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions264.0010/10/2018
MS-60PCGSStack's Bowers110.0008/22/2018
MS-62ANACSStack's Bowers192.0007/25/2018
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions432.0007/11/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions456.0007/11/2018
MS-63PCGSDavid Lawrence RC350.0005/14/2018
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC1,250.0004/30/2018
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,140.0004/29/2018
MS-66+PCGSStack's Bowers4,080.0003/21/2018
XF-40PCGSDavid Lawrence RC85.0003/05/2018
MS-62PCGSStack's Bowers216.0001/24/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions432.0001/16/2018
MS-62ANACSStack's Bowers240.0011/08/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions1,860.0011/02/2017
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions3,642.5008/02/2017
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers2,115.0008/01/2017
MS-65+PCGSScotsman1,783.0007/21/2017
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers940.0006/21/2017
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,175.0006/08/2017
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions587.5005/16/2017
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,645.0004/26/2017
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,762.5004/04/2017
MS-61PCGSHeritage Auctions211.5003/07/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,702.5002/16/2017
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,468.7501/04/2017
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,292.5001/04/2017
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,703.7501/04/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,115.0001/04/2017
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions61.0012/20/2016
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers2,350.0011/02/2016
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers517.0010/12/2016
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions199.7509/03/2016
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,997.5007/07/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,291.2506/08/2016
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions458.2505/09/2016
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers376.0003/30/2016
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,232.5003/03/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,585.0002/04/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,820.0001/06/2016
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions7,637.5012/03/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions2,820.0010/29/2015
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions329.0010/28/2015
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,175.0006/07/2015
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions141.0005/31/2015
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0005/31/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions3,055.0004/26/2015
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions340.7503/10/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,465.0003/01/2015
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,116.2502/10/2015
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers3,231.2502/06/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions1,292.5001/07/2015
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0001/07/2015
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions305.5001/04/2015
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions235.0011/09/2014
MS-65+PCGSStack's Bowers1,292.5010/31/2014
MS-62ANACSGreat Collections173.8010/26/2014
F-15ANACSGreat Collections33.7510/26/2014
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions84.0010/06/2014
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions117.5009/22/2014
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,175.0009/04/2014
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,762.5009/04/2014
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,292.5009/04/2014
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions86.0008/11/2014
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions998.7508/05/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,993.7506/23/2014
VF-30NGCHeritage Auctions57.0006/02/2014
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions305.5003/24/2014
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,527.5003/21/2014
AU-55NGCHeritage Auctions117.5003/03/2014
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions141.0002/10/2014
MS-65+PCGSStack's Bowers1,351.2502/05/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,700.0001/08/2014
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers949.4011/08/2013
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions54.0009/30/2013
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions74.0008/12/2013
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions44.0007/11/2013
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,175.0007/11/2013
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0004/01/2013
MS-61PCGSHeritage Auctions306.0004/01/2013
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions529.0003/21/2013
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers4,700.0002/22/2013
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,645.0002/07/2013
VF-20NCSHeritage Auctions223.0001/09/2013
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions382.0011/29/2012
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions2,350.0010/18/2012
AG-3ANACSHeritage Auctions15.0010/01/2012
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions282.0008/02/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0008/02/2012
VF-25PCGSHeritage Auctions56.0007/23/2012
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions115.0007/12/2012
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions322.0007/12/2012
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0005/30/2012
PO-1NGCGreat Collections23.0005/06/2012
MS-63NGCDavid Lawrence RC282.0004/30/2012
VF-25PCGSHeritage Auctions65.0004/23/2012
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0004/18/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,495.0004/18/2012
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,190.0001/03/2012
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions94.0012/08/2011
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0011/08/2011
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,495.0011/08/2011
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions230.0011/08/2011
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0010/13/2011
AU-55NGCHeritage Auctions115.0010/03/2011
PO-1NGCHeritage Auctions59.0010/03/2011
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions184.0009/07/2011
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions139.0009/07/2011
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions94.0009/07/2011
VF-25NGCGreat Collections87.0008/14/2011
MS-63PCGSScotsman210.0007/29/2011
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0007/07/2011
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,170.0007/07/2011
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions79.0004/27/2011
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions299.0004/27/2011
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions150.0004/27/2011
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,495.0002/03/2011
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0008/23/2010
MS-65+ANACSStack's1,035.0008/08/2010
PO-1ANACSHeritage Auctions89.0007/26/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions6,613.0001/06/2010
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0010/22/2009
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,070.0007/31/2009
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions150.0007/15/2009
AU-50PCGSBowers & Merena100.0006/10/2009
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions978.0005/01/2009
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,300.0004/01/2009
MS-65+NGCStack's1,035.0003/01/2009
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,380.0003/01/2009
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions276.0002/25/2009
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,265.0001/01/2009
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,990.0001/01/2009
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,610.0012/22/2008
AU-58NGCHeritage Auctions173.0012/10/2008
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions150.0012/04/2008
MS-62PCGSHeritage Auctions196.0010/15/2008
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions219.0010/01/2008
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,208.0010/01/2008
MS-64PCGSStack's1,495.0008/21/2008
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC552.0008/11/2008
MS-65+PCGSStack's1,600.0007/10/2008
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions322.0005/28/2008
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,380.0003/26/2008
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions184.0003/26/2008
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions2,001.0003/06/2008
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions1,380.0002/13/2008
XF-40NCSHeritage Auctions45.0011/14/2007
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions150.0010/15/2007
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions2,001.0009/27/2007
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0008/22/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions127.0008/20/2007
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions345.0008/15/2007
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena5,175.0006/28/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions129.0006/06/2007
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions345.0005/15/2007
MS-65+NGCDavid Lawrence RC1,380.0005/14/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions2,760.0005/01/2007
MS-65+PCGSStack's1,100.0003/01/2007
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions403.0002/20/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions138.0001/22/2007
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0001/09/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,888.0001/01/2007
MS-65+NONEStack's1,380.0011/07/2006
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions42.0010/30/2006
MS-64NGCDavid Lawrence RC391.0010/30/2006
AU-58NGCHeritage Auctions132.0010/11/2006
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions51.0009/18/2006
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions60.0009/18/2006
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions48.0009/13/2006
AU-50PCGSDavid Lawrence RC138.0008/14/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,600.0008/13/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions2,530.0008/13/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions3,738.0008/13/2006
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions403.0007/11/2006
MS-65+PCGSAmerican Numismatic Rarities1,840.0006/21/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions3,738.0004/26/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions374.0004/26/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions2,070.0004/06/2006
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0002/13/2006
MS-60ANACSHeritage Auctions127.0001/18/2006
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions34.0010/02/2005
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0008/01/2005
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions75.0006/05/2005
MS-62PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0006/01/2005
MS-66NGCAmerican Numismatic Rarities3,220.0005/25/2005
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions374.0005/09/2005
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions1,093.0003/28/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions5,865.0002/23/2005
MS-65+NGCDavid Lawrence RC1,265.0011/28/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions190.0011/08/2004
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions62.0010/27/2004
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions332.0010/13/2004
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions144.0009/29/2004
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions71.0007/26/2004
MS-65+NGCGoldberg Auctioneers1,150.0006/02/2004
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions949.0009/01/2003
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions4,800.0009/01/2003
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions167.0005/05/2003
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions2,358.0005/01/2003
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions1,840.0001/08/2003
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,438.0001/08/2003
MS-65+NGCSuperior Galleries1,035.0001/06/2003
MS-60ANACSHeritage Auctions64.0011/25/2002
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions167.0009/29/2002
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions978.0009/01/2002
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions633.0009/01/2002
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions380.0001/13/2002
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions805.0008/08/2001
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions1,898.0008/08/2001
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions215.0006/13/2001
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions437.0008/06/2000
MS-60NONEGoldberg Auctioneers92.0002/06/2000
MS-63NONEStack's468.0010/01/1992