Liberty Head ‘V’ Nickel
(1883 – 1913)
V Nickels, also called Liberty Head Nickels, are a great series to collect in just about any condition. While you’re not going to stumble across these in your spare change anymore, they’re still surprisingly findable at local coin shops and shows. Produced by the U.S. Mint from 1883 to 1913, these coins represent one of the earlier modern-era nickel designs and carry a ton of historical interest. Like most coins, their values depend heavily on the date, mint mark, and how many survived in decent condition.
Earlier V Nickels, especially anything pre-1897, tend to bring in higher values, even in circulated grades. A lot of these start around $5–$10, but certain key dates—like the famous 1885 issue—can fetch much higher premiums. That one in particular sells for around $500 in even the most worn condition, and much more if it’s clean and well-preserved.
Just like with any other U.S. coin, having your V Nickel graded by a professional service (like PCGS or NGC) is the best way to lock in its value. Those folks know exactly how to identify authentic pieces and assign a reliable grade based on a strict set of standards.
Valuation Chart
Year | Mint Mark | Variety | Value Range (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
1883 | — | No Cents | $10 – $40 |
1883 | — | With Cents | $10 – $45 |
1884 | — | — | $15 – $75 |
1885 | — | Key Date | $450 – $2,750+ |
1886 | — | Key Date | $150 – $1,200+ |
1887 | — | — | $15 – $90 |
1888 | — | — | $12 – $85 |
1889 | — | — | $12 – $80 |
1890 | — | — | $10 – $70 |
1891 | — | — | $10 – $70 |
1892 | — | — | $10 – $75 |
1893 | — | — | $10 – $75 |
1894 | — | — | $10 – $70 |
1895 | — | — | $10 – $70 |
1896 | — | — | $10 – $65 |
1897 | — | — | $8 – $60 |
1898 | — | — | $8 – $60 |
1899 | — | — | $8 – $60 |
1900 | — | — | $8 – $55 |
1901 | — | — | $8 – $55 |
1902 | — | — | $8 – $55 |
1903 | — | — | $8 – $50 |
1904 | — | — | $8 – $50 |
1905 | — | — | $8 – $50 |
1906 | — | — | $8 – $45 |
1907 | — | — | $8 – $45 |
1908 | — | — | $8 – $45 |
1909 | — | — | $8 – $50 |
1910 | — | — | $8 – $55 |
1911 | — | — | $8 – $55 |
1912 | — | — | $35 – $120 |
1912 | S | Semi-Key | $80 – $300+ |
1913 | — | Proof Only (except 5 coins) | $3,000 – $5,000+ (Proofs); $5 million+ (1913 Liberty Head Nickels) |
Key Dates, Notable Varieties and Errors
1883 No Cents: Some early 1883 coins didn’t have the word “CENTS” on the reverse. People gold-plated these and passed them off as $5 gold pieces, causing quite a stir.
1885: Classic key date; low mintage, always in demand.
1886: Another tough date to find; lower mintage.
1912-S: The only V Nickel struck at the San Francisco Mint; a semi-key with strong collector demand.
1913: Only five known specimens; one of the rarest and most valuable coins in U.S. history.
Historical Context by Year
1883 – First year of the V Nickel; transition from “No Cents” to “With Cents.”
1885 – Small mintage due to low demand; becomes a key date.
1886 – Short run again; Mint focused on other denominations.
1893 – Economic downturn; Panic of 1893 impacts coin production.
1898 – Spanish-American War begins.
1901 – McKinley assassinated; Roosevelt takes over.
1907 – Financial panic triggers early banking reform discussions.
1912 – Final full year of V Nickel production; last issue struck at San Francisco Mint.
1913 – Liberty Head design discontinued; Buffalo Nickel introduced. Five 1913 V Nickels secretly struck—later become legendary rarities.
Final Thoughts
V Nickels are a solid addition to any coin collection. They’ve got great historical charm, come with some exciting rarities, and are usually pretty easy to track down if you’re hunting in the right places. Even if you just want to pick up a few to get started, the later dates are super affordable and make great “entry coins.”
If you happen to come across one of the heavy hitters like an 1885 or a 1912-S, you’re holding onto a piece of numismatic gold—metaphorically speaking, of course.
Definitely worth the hunt!
