Liberty Head Nickel (or V Nickel)

Brief Description

The obverse features a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty surrounded by 13 stars, with the date 1908 at the bottom. She wears a coronet inscribed 'LIBERTY' and a wreath of cotton and wheat. The reverse (not shown) typically features a large Roman numeral 'V' within a wreath.

Historical Significance

Designed by Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, this series was produced from 1883 to 1912. It is a classic example of Gilded Age coinage and is famous for the '1883 No Cents' racketeer nickel scandal, where the lack of a denomination led people to plate them in gold and pass them off as five-dollar gold pieces.

Estimated Value

$1.00 - $15.00 (Current condition indicates a 'Good' or 'About Good' grade; value depends heavily on the presence of a mint mark on the reverse and overall wear).

Care Instructions

Never clean or polish the coin, as this removes the natural patina and significantly reduces numismatic value. Handle only by the edges and store in a PVC-free flip or archival-safe container to prevent further oxidation and wear.

Created At: 2026-03-29T17:51:38.178689