1866 With Rays Shield Nickel. The first year specimen strikings of this type are the only readily available proof Shield Nickels with rays, the 1867 being a famed rarity. As with many examples of this first-year proof nickel, this coin presents with planchet problems, the most obvious of which is a reverse planchet void to the right of the 5. A lightly toned Gem with good contrast and clean surfaces. Both sides have a tiny center dot, the result of a point of compass that was used to lay out th