The Liberty Nickel is a five-cent coin that was minted in the United States from 1883 to 1913, and there are a couple notable varieties within the 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 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 Nickel: 1913 is a famous year in the series because only five coins were officially struck that year. They were created under mysterious circumstances, as the design had already been replaced by the Buffalo nickel. These five coins are extremely rare and valuable, and their history is intertwined with famous collectors and numismatic lore.
The series was replaced by the Buffalo nickel design in 1913, featuring 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 5 cent coins hold 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 them due to their historical value, design intricacies, and, in the case of the 1913 Liberty nickel, their extreme rarity and high market value. Add to your collection with Liberty Head nickels for sale from Profile Coins!