1885 5C Liberty Head V Nickel NGC AG3 About Good Circulated Key Date Coin

Product Description

An 1885 (Philadelphia Struck) Liberty Head V Nickel graded About Good 3 (AG-3) by NGC.  This piece displays an original golden/grey nickel color/tone, full readeable date, worn reverse with a center mark and nice overall details.  The total mintage for this date: 1,472,700. Please view our photos for additional information and ask any questions prior to purchase.

The Liberty Head Nickel was a 5¢ piece minted from 1883-1913. Although it is noted the mintage year ended in 1913, infact it ended in 1912. The 1913 issues were not regular circulation strikes and were eventually found to be illegally minted. However, the 5 pieces known to exist are some of the most valuable U.S. coins in the world. The Liberty Head nickels designer Charles E. Barber, designed the liberty head pattern to replace John B. Longacre’s Shield Nickel, after it was proven to be too difficult to strike because of the intricate design. Initial designs called for Lady Libertys bust in profile on the obverse with the roman numeral for 5 inside of a laurel wreath on the reverse. However, early on it became evident the design for the Liberty Nickel was flawed. Mobsters and scam artists began plating the nickels in gold and passing them off as $5 gold pieces. The United States mint took action in 1883 and added the word ‘CENTS’ below the wreath. Parameters for the Liberty head nickel followed the previous design, however added a larger diameter. The Liberty Nickel was .750 copper, .250 copper, a total weight of 5 grams, featured a plain edge and 21.2 mm diameter.