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Highlighting one of the many
important coin series in
United States coinage history

Liberty Head Nickels
1883-1913


Liberty Head Nickels

HISTORY

         The Liberty Head Nickel was minted from 1883 to 1913 and there are two Types, I & II. With a "V" in the center of the reverse, some of these coins were gold plated and passed as $5 gold pieces. In the latter part of 1883, the word "Cents" was placed on the reverse. In 1913, the first Buffalo Nickel was minted and the Liberty Head Nickel series run was scheduled to end. However, five Liberty Nickels were minted (some think were actually six) which ended up in the hands of one person, the well-known Colonel Green. These coins were never placed into circulation and considered illegal to own for many years because they were not a regular issue. The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is considered one of the rarest of all United States coins.

MINTS

         While three mints were used to produce the Liberty Head Nickel, the bulk of the workload fell upon the Philadelphia Mint. They minted coins from 1883-1913. The Denver and San Francisco Mints issued coins only in 1912.

TERMINOLOGY

  • AU - Almost Uncirculated, includes the grades AU50-AU58. Coins that at first glance appear uncirculated but upon closer inspection have light rub or wear and will usually have mint luster still present.

  • Plain Edge - a coin with no lettering, reeding, or inscription on the edge.

    RECOMMENDED REFERENCES

  • Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins, by Ken Bressett

  • How to Grade U.S. Coins, by James Halperin

  • Photograde, by James F. Ruddy

  • Series Stats

    Series
    Liberty Head Nickels

    Series Run
    1883-1913

    Designer
    Charles E. Barber

    Weight
    5 grams

    Composition
    .750 copper
    .250 nickel


    Diameter
    21.2 millimeters

    Edge
    Plain Edge

    Mints
    Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco

    Mink Mark Location
    reverse lower left (1912 only)


    View Liberty Head
    Nickel Prices
    in our Online Price Guide

    Liberty Head Nickels

    Proof Liberty Head Nickels



    Series Spotlight Series Spotlight Recent Entry - November 11, 1999

    $10 Liberty Gold (1838-1907)

    Series Spotlight Archive







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