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Updated March 2026
1,230+ Detecting Finds
Coins1866-1883Updated March 2026

Pennsylvania Shield Nickel

1866-1883

Pennsylvania Shield Nickel metal detecting find

About Pennsylvania Shield Nickel

The Pennsylvania Shield Nickel is a coins find from the 1866-1883 era, commonly discovered by metal detectorists across the Interior Northeast regions. Shield Nickel is a realistic Pennsylvania detector target tied to cellar holes, fairgrounds, and old park strips. Rather than pretending every state has the same history, this profile frames the signal around the kinds of sites that actually produce it in Pennsylvania: beaches, town greens, camps, farmsteads, transport corridors, or old recreation grounds.

“According to TroveRadar, the Pennsylvania Shield Nickel (1866-1883) is valued at $15-400+ depending on date and quality and typically found at 3-7 inches depth. TroveRadar catalogs 1,230+ metal detecting finds across North America.

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Signal Pattern

mid conductor near modern nickels but usually a bit sharper

Typical Depth

3-7 inches

Estimated Value

$15-400+ depending on date and quality

Common Regions

Interior Northeast

Cleaning & Preservation Tips

  • rinse with water
  • keep dirt from date area but avoid rubbing

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Explore More

What signal does a Pennsylvania Shield Nickel give on a metal detector?
Pennsylvania Shield Nickel typically produces: mid conductor near modern nickels but usually a bit sharper. It is usually found at 3-7 inches depth. Experienced detectorists in the Interior Northeast regions report consistent signals when hunting appropriate sites.
How much is a Pennsylvania Shield Nickel worth?
The estimated value of a Pennsylvania Shield Nickel is $15-400+ depending on date and quality. Value depends on condition, rarity, and historical significance. Always clean conservatively to preserve maximum value.
How do I clean a Pennsylvania Shield Nickel?
Proper cleaning for Pennsylvania Shield Nickel: rinse with water. keep dirt from date area but avoid rubbing. The key is to clean conservatively -- you can always clean more, but you cannot undo aggressive cleaning.
Where are Pennsylvania Shield Nickel finds most common?
Pennsylvania Shield Nickel finds are most commonly reported in the Interior Northeast regions. This Coins item from the 1866-1883 era is typically found near old homesteads, parks, fairgrounds, and historical sites.