The US 1873 Nickel, designed by James B. Longacre, featured the Shield design, symbolizing unity after the Civil War. Made of copper-nickel, it reflected efforts to stabilize small transactions amid financial uncertainty. That year, the Coinage Act of 1873, known as the "Crime of 1873," ended the free coinage of silver, shifting focus to gold-backed currency. The US 1873 Nickel remained essential for everyday commerce during this monetary shift.
The Panic of 1873 triggered an economic depression, increasing reliance on durable coinage. The US 1873 Nickel, unaffected by silver’s demonetization, maintained stability in circulation, reinforcing trust in the nation’s evolving financial system.