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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
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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)
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