1870 Nickel Value: Mint Varieties, Rarity, and Current Prices

Price Guide for 1870 Nickel Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1870 Nickel variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.

1870 Nickel (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $15.00 - $1,116.25

  Uncirculated: $64.00 - $10,281.25
• eBay

  Circulated: $7.50 - $1,390.00

  Uncirculated: $5.51 - $5,005.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $35.00 - $325.00

  Uncirculated: $350.00 - $6,000.00

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1870 Nickel (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $132.00 - $242.00

  Uncirculated: $4.20 - $3,163.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $359.00 - $405.00

  Uncirculated: $285.00 - $1,236.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $250.00 - $325.00

  Uncirculated: $350.00 - $2,500.00

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1870 Nickel, CAM (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $384.00 - $14,400.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $385.00 - $1,500.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $500.00 - $12,500.00

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1870 Nickel DDO & RPD FS-101 (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $44.00 - $252.00

  Uncirculated: $2,990.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $39.99
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $45.00 - $175.00

  Uncirculated: $3,600.00

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1870 Nickel DDO FS-102 (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $1,880.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $2,250.00

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1870 Nickel RPD FS-301 (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $61.00 - $646.25
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $100.00 - $1,700.00

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1870 Nickel DDR FS-801 (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $60.00 - $174.00

  Uncirculated: $489.00 - $3,600.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $1,685.25
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $100.00 - $1,100.00

  Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $5,500.00

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Design and Specifications of the 1870 Nickel

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

Condition plays a crucial role in the value of 1870 Shield Nickels. Due to their extensive circulation and the coin's composition, which is prone to wear, high-grade examples are particularly scarce. Coins in Mint State condition, especially those grading MS65 or higher, command significant premiums.

The strike quality can vary considerably for this issue, with many examples showing weakness in the central areas of the design. Well-struck coins with full details are highly sought after by collectors. Original luster is another important factor, with coins retaining their original mint luster being more desirable.

The 1870 Doubled Die Obverse variety is a notable error that can significantly increase the value of the coin. This variety shows doubling on the obverse, particularly visible on the date and some lettering.

Toning can also impact the desirability and value of 1870 Shield Nickels. Coins with attractive, natural toning are often preferred by collectors over those with no toning or artificial color.

Additionally, proofs were struck in 1870, with a mintage of 1,000. These proof issues are considerably rarer and more valuable than their circulation strike counterparts, especially in high grades.