Liberty Head V Nickels (1883-1913)

Liberty Head V Nickels (1883-1913): A Brief History

The Liberty Head V Nickel, also known as the Liberty Nickel, is a five-cent coin that was minted in the United States from 1883 to 1913. The Liberty Head V Nickel was designed by Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time. The obverse (front) of the coin featured a left-facing image of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed on it. The reverse (back) displayed a large Roman numeral "V" for the denomination, surrounded by a wreath.

The new nickel design faced controversy due to the absence of the words "CENT" or "FIVE CENTS" on the coin. This led to some individuals gold-plating the coins and passing them off as $5 gold pieces. To address this issue, the Mint added the word "CENTS" to the reverse design below the wreath.

There are a few notable varieties within the Liberty Head V Nickel series. The 1883 "No Cents" Variety: The first year of production in 1883 did not include the word "CENTS" on the reverse. This led to confusion, and some unscrupulous individuals gold-plated the coins to pass them off as higher-value gold coins. In response, the Mint added the word "CENTS" to the design later in the year. The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel: 1913 is a famous year in the series due to the fact that only five Liberty Head V Nickels were officially struck that year. The coins were created under mysterious circumstances, as the design had already been replaced by the Buffalo nickel in 1913. These five coins are extremely rare and valuable, and their history is intertwined with famous collectors and numismatic lore.

The Liberty Head V Nickel was replaced by the Buffalo nickel design in 1913. The Buffalo nickel featured the iconic image of a Native American on the obverse and a buffalo (bison) on the reverse. This design remained in circulation until 1938 when it was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, which is still in use today.

The Liberty Head V Nickel series holds historical significance as a representation of the artistic and cultural evolution of U.S. coinage during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many collectors are drawn to these coins due to their historical value, design intricacies, and, in the case of the 1913 Liberty Nickel, their extreme rarity and high market value.

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