Liberty V Nickel (1883 - 1913)
Liberty V Nickel (1883 - 1913): identify, compare, and value
Use this page to identify details collectors compare, understand value clues, and check current market examples.
Value Guide Summary
Use this page to understand what this collectible is, what details collectors usually compare, and where to check current market examples.
What collectors look for
Original condition, age, maker marks, materials, completeness, unusual variants, and documented history usually matter most.
How to identify examples
Compare markings, construction details, finish, size, period-correct materials, and known design features before assuming authenticity.
Value clues
Rarity, demand, condition, eye appeal, provenance, and whether similar examples are actively selling can all affect market value.
Red flags
Watch for reproductions, heavy restoration, replaced parts, fantasy pieces, unclear photos, and listings with vague descriptions.
In 1883, the United States Mint introduced the Liberty Head five-cent piece, a coin designed by A. Loudon Snowden, the Mint's Superintendent. Snowden envisioned a uniform design and composition for the nation's minor coins, including the cent, three-cent piece, and five-cent piece. Chief Engraver Charles Barber was tasked with creating suitable sketches for these denominations, all featuring a classical head of Liberty. Trial strikes were made, but only the five-cent piece, the Liberty Head nickel, saw significant changes.
The Shield nickel, in use since 1866, was the first base-metal five-cent coin in U.S. history. However, its plain design made it a candidate for remodeling. Snowden admired Barber's new design and sought to increase the nickel's diameter to improve durability. The Liberty Head nickel was unveiled in January 1883. Unfortunately, the initial coins lacked the word "CENTS" on the reverse, leading to counterfeiters gold-plating them and passing them off as $5 gold pieces.
Barber swiftly designed a new version with "CENTS" prominently displayed. By then, millions of the "Type 1" nickels had been struck and gold-plated. This led to the coining of the term "racketeer nickels" due to their history. The mint produced over 16 million nickels with "CENTS" on the reverse by the end of 1883, but the "no CENTS" variety remains more common today in choice condition.
The Liberty Head nickel continued with minimal changes, primarily produced in Philadelphia, except for 1912, when Denver and San Francisco mints also minted it. There are low-mintage issues, such as 1885, 1886, and 1912-S, but no great rarities. In 1913, the Buffalo nickel replaced the Liberty Head design, but five 1913 Liberty Head nickels surfaced later, becoming highly sought-after collectibles.
Despite spanning 30 years, the Liberty nickel series is compact and collectible, mainly due to the scarcity of branch-mint issues. Collectors often seek specific dates and mintmarks. Proofs were made in every year, usually in the thousands. Liberty nickels are generally well-struck and available in high grades, with wear typically seen on Liberty's hair and the wreath and corn ears on the reverse.