Representative series imageShield NickelReference art may not show this exact date or mint.

Shield Nickel

U.S. collector price guide

1878 Shield Nickel (no-rays)

Guide value by grade$1,800–$4,500

Reliable2 priced grades

This page has imported grade-level guide data and is ready for normal collector comparison.

Updated 2026-06-09published-guideHow the guide works →

Grade Ladder

Tab, hover, or tap a grade to see the price jump

Price by Grade

Grade	Quality	Est. Value
PR-63	Choice Proof	$1,800
PR-65	Gem Proof	$4,500

Estimates from published guides and recent sold data. Grade is everything. Verify before you buy.

What to do next

Check the gradeValue changes by condition. Compare the grade ladder before using the headline estimate.

Watch melt valueFor silver or gold issues, melt value can become the practical floor.

Verify before buyingUse methodology, source confidence, and recent comps before making purchase decisions.

Common Questions

What is the 1878 Shield Nickel (no-rays) worth?

Current guide estimates on this page range from $1,800 to $4,500 depending on grade.

Coin value can change sharply by condition. Use the grade ladder and price-by-grade table before relying on any single headline estimate.

This page does not show a meaningful melt floor for this coin, but silver and gold issues can have metal value that affects lower-grade outcomes.

Survivor's LedgerNo. cs_us_nickel_shield-nickel_1878_p_no-rays

148years survived since minting

Deeper history for the Shield Nickel series is still being researched. Know this one? Help us write it →

Guide record

Grade and metal context

Use the grade ladder, pricing confidence, and melt floor together before making a buying decision.

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