Shield Nickel Mintage Table
This page lists each Shield Nickel year and major type, including proof-only years.
| Year | Type | Mint | Mint Mark | Circulation Mintage | Proof Mintage | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1866 | With Rays | Philadelphia | None | 14,742,500 | est. 500–600 | First year of issue; rays reverse. |
| 1867 | With Rays | Philadelphia | None | 2,019,000 | est. 25–75 | Final With Rays issue; scarcer early type. |
| 1867 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 28,890,500 | est. 600 | First No Rays issue; highest circulation mintage of the series. |
| 1868 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 28,817,000 | est. 600 | High-production No Rays issue. |
| 1869 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 16,395,000 | est. 600 | Strong circulation mintage. |
| 1870 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 4,806,000 | est. 1,000 | Lower production after the late-1860s highs. |
| 1871 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 561,000 | est. 960 | Low circulation mintage; better date. |
| 1872 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 6,036,000 | est. 950 | Production rebounded. |
| 1873 | Closed 3 / Open 3 | Philadelphia | None | 4,550,000 | est. 1,100 | Includes Closed 3 and Open 3 varieties. |
| 1874 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 3,538,000 | est. 700 | Moderate production year. |
| 1875 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 2,097,000 | est. 700 | Lower circulation mintage. |
| 1876 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 2,530,000 | est. 1,150 | Final regular circulation year before proof-only issues. |
| 1877 | Proof Only | Philadelphia | None | 0 | est. 510 | Proof-only issue; no circulation strikes. |
| 1878 | Proof Only | Philadelphia | None | 0 | 2,350 | Proof-only issue; no circulation strikes. |
| 1879 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 25,900 | 3,200 | Very low circulation mintage. |
| 1880 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 16,000 | 3,955 | Lowest regular circulation mintage; key date. |
| 1881 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 68,800 | 3,575 | Low-mintage later date. |
| 1882 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 11,472,900 | 3,100 | Major production rebound. |
| 1883 | Without Rays | Philadelphia | None | 1,451,500 | 5,419 | Final Shield Nickel year before Liberty Head nickel replaced it. |
Series totals
Years produced: 1866-1883
Mint locations: Philadelphia only
Mint marks used: None
Lowest circulation mintage: 1880 (16,000)
Highest circulation mintage: 1867 Without Rays (28,890,500)
Proof-only years: 1877 and 1878
Key dates: 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881
Final year: 1883