Liberty Head V Nickel

Brief Description

The obverse features a profile of Lady Liberty facing left, surrounded by 13 stars and the date at the bottom. The reverse features a large Roman numeral V inside a wreath of corn, wheat, and cotton.

Historical Significance

Designed by Charles E. Barber, this coin was first released in 1883. The initial 'No Cents' version was famously gold-plated by fraudsters (the 'Josh Tatum' story) to pass them off as five-dollar gold pieces, leading the Mint to add the word 'CENTS' to the design later that year.

Estimated Value

$1.00 - $10.00 (Highly dependent on the date and level of wear visible; well-worn common dates value closer to $1).

Care Instructions

Do not clean or polish the coin, as this removes the original surface (patina) and significantly devalues it for collectors. Store in a PVC-free flip or a cool, dry place to prevent further environmental damage.

Created At: 2026-02-19T11:26:05.591060