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Stars and shields on US coins (not a constellation prize)
Thirteen stars are the original states. A Union shield is the country. Count them if you want. A missing star on a worn coin is usually wear.
Thirteen stars are the original states. That is the usual answer and it is good enough for the counter.
A Union shield is the country as a building, not a person. You see it on Shield nickels, on Seated Liberty’s lap, on some eagles’ chests, and on a pile of later commemoratives. Seated. Eagles.
Counting stars
People count stars like a lottery ticket. On a worn coin a star melts into the rim. That is Good or VG, not a rare “12-star error.”
True star varieties exist. They are in the books. They are not your slick 1940s Walker.
Shield nickels
1866 and early 1867 have rays around the 5. Then the rays go away. That is a type change, not damage. 1877 and 1878 are the proof-only years people actually hunt. Shield nickel.
What we pay
The type, the date, the metal, the grade. A complete set of stars does not turn a common date into a key. Old is not rare. Bring it. We will count if it matters. Most of the time it does not.