Saturday, June 3, 2023

Key Dates: Liberty Nickels

 The Liberty Nickel, also known as the "V" Nickel due to the large "V" on the reverse side, was minted in the United States from 1883 to 1913. Here are some key dates and notable varieties of the Liberty Nickel:

1. 1883 (With Cents): The first year of production for the Liberty Nickel. Initially, the coins were minted without the word "CENTS" on the reverse side, leading to some individuals gold-plating the coins and passing them off as five-dollar gold pieces. To prevent this, the design was modified later in the year to include the word "CENTS" below the roman numeral "V."



2. 1885: The mintage of nickels in 1885 was relatively low, making them quite rare. Only 1,472,700 coins were produced, and surviving specimens are highly sought after by collectors.

3. 1886: Another low mintage year, with only 3,326,000 nickels minted. This date is considered scarce, particularly in higher grades.

4. 1912-S: The 1912-S Liberty Nickel is notable because it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. The "S" mintmark is located on the reverse side, below the wreath. It has a lower mintage compared to other dates, making it more desirable among collectors.

5. 1913: The last year of production for the Liberty Nickel. However, it is important to note that in 1913, the Buffalo Nickel was introduced, and no Liberty Nickels were officially minted. However, five unauthorized specimens were struck illegally and have become some of the most famous and valuable coins in the world.

These key dates and varieties of the Liberty Nickel contribute to their numismatic value and desirability among coin collectors.

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