The shield type nickel, designed by James B. Longacre, was struck from 1866-1883 at the Philadelphia Mint. Composition was 75% copper and 25% nickel with weight of 5 grams.

Liberty Head (V) Nickel

Minted from 1883 to 1912, the first 1883's were issued without the "cents" on the reverse and merely a large letter "V". Some of these were goldplated and passed for five dollar coins. Later that year the word CENTS was added

Buffalo Nickels

Designed by James Fraser, Buffalo or Indian Head nickels were minted from 1913-1938. The bison was modeled after "Black Diamond"in the N.Y. Zoological Gardens.