Liberty Nickel
The Liberty Nickel was introduced to replace the Shield Nickel. As you might expect, its obverse side has a large Liberty Head in profile, surrounded by thirteen stars and the minting year. On the reverse side is a large Roman numeral V, surrounded by a wreath and the motto “E Pluribus Unum,” signifying national unity. This is in turn surrounded by the phrase “United States of America.” Liberty Nickel Coins were made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, and were 5 grams in mass.
The original design of liberty nickel coin did not have the word “Cents” on the reverse. This may seem like a negligible error, but it did lead to a rather interesting trend among grafters of the time. These people plated the coin with gold, and told people that liberty nickel coins were worth five dollars, rather than five cents. These “Racketeer Nickels” are now considered a great find by many collectors. However, the error was soon rectified, when the word “Cents” was added to the reverse side, thus spelling the end of Racketeer Nickels.
Key years for the Liberty Nickel are 1885, 1886, and 1912-S. Only five Liberty Nickel Coins were minted in 1913, and these coins are, of course, considered a treasure. However, many fakes exist, so do not buy a 1913 Liberty Nickel unless you are absolutely sure of its authenticity. In 2005, the finest of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels, the Eliasberg/Lee specimen certified PCGS Proof 66, sold for $4,150,000. This was the highest price ever paid for one of the legendary coins and the second highest price ever reported for any rare coin.
Liberty Nickel Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1883-1912)
| Date/Type | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | XF40 | AU50 | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS60 | PR60
(Proof) |
| 1883 No Cents | $8 | $9 | $10 | $11 | $13 | $14 | $15 | $19 | $25 | $29 | $240 |
| 1883 With Cents | $15 | $24 | $36 | $53 | $84 | $106 | $110 | $115 | $132 | $160 | $150 |
| 1884 | $20 | $31 | $38 | $60 | $94 | $122 | $132 | $156 | $180 | $192 | $150 |
| *1885 | $492 | $640 | $830 | $1,160 | $1,420 | $1,710 | $1,860 | $2,130 | $2,370 | $2,460 | $630 |
| *1886 | $258 | $318 | $390 | $528 | $710 | $830 | $900 | $980 | $1,170 | $1,260 | $372 |
| 1887 | $13 | $18 | $31 | $44 | $78 | $94 | $98 | $107 | $120 | $150 | $150 |
| 1888 | $26 | $39 | $60 | $112 | $150 | $205 | $210 | $234 | $252 | $270 | $150 |
| 1889 | $8 | $14 | $30 | $50 | $73 | $107 | $109 | $115 | $132 | $150 | $150 |
| 1890 | $7 | $17 | $24 | $38 | $64 | $104 | $107 | $112 | $126 | $170 | $150 |
| 1891 | $6 | $10 | $18 | $36 | $56 | $97 | $101 | $107 | $115 | $144 | $150 |
| 1892 | $6 | $9 | $22 | $37 | $61 | $107 | $110 | $116 | $132 | $150 | $156 |
| 1893 | $6 | $9 | $22 | $36 | $58 | $100 | $103 | $108 | $126 | $144 | $150 |
| 1894 | $14 | $28 | $87 | $138 | $222 | $300 | $312 | $330 | $348 | $372 | $162 |
| 1895 | $5 | $7 | $22 | $47 | $70 | $98 | $106 | $113 | $120 | $138 | $150 |
| 1896 | $9 | $18 | $39 | $65 | $91 | $132 | $138 | $150 | $162 | $180 | $150 |
| 1897 | $4 | $5 | $12 | $26 | $43 | $60 | $65 | $71 | $82 | $98 | $150 |
| 1898 | $3 | $4 | $9 | $22 | $38 | $65 | $70 | $76 | $90 | $120 | $150 |
| 1899 | $3 | $4 | $8 | $20 | $36 | $58 | $60 | $64 | $78 | $90 | $150 |
| 1900 | $3 | $4 | $8 | $18 | $36 | $64 | $67 | $70 | $73 | $86 | $150 |
| 1901 | $3 | $4 | $7 | $14 | $34 | $54 | $55 | $58 | $62 | $72 | $144 |
| 1902 | $3 | $4 | $5 | $14 | $32 | $54 | $55 | $58 | $61 | $72 | $144 |
| 1903 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $14 | $32 | $49 | $53 | $55 | $62 | $72 | $144 |
| 1904 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $12 | $31 | $49 | $52 | $58 | $62 | $72 | $144 |
| 1905 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $12 | $31 | $49 | $50 | $54 | $62 | $71 | $144 |
| 1906 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $11 | $31 | $49 | $50 | $53 | $61 | $71 | $144 |
| 1907 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $11 | $31 | $49 | $50 | $54 | $60 | $71 | $144 |
| 1908 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $11 | $31 | $54 | $55 | $58 | $64 | $71 | $144 |
| 1909 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $11 | $36 | $61 | $62 | $65 | $74 | $84 | $144 |
| 1910 | $3 | $3 | $5 | $10 | $30 | $48 | $50 | $54 | $62 | $71 | $144 |
| 1911 | $3 | $4 | $5 | $10 | $30 | $48 | $50 | $53 | $66 | $72 | $144 |
| 1912 | $3 | $4 | $5 | $10 | $30 | $48 | $50 | $54 | $64 | $72 | $150 |
| 1912 D | $4 | $5 | $13 | $35 | $68 | $150 | $168 | $186 | $246 | $264 | -- |
| *1912 S | $150 | $207 | $265 | $480 | $780 | $1,140 | $1,180 | $1,230 | $1,290 | $1,410 | -- |
Liberty Nickel Coins on eBay
