Liberty Nickels (1883-1913)

Liberty Nickels

APMEX offers a superb selection of Liberty Head V Nickels. The Liberty Head V Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber, followed the Shield Nickel series. The obverse features Barber’s Liberty design with 13 stars, which represent the original states of the Union. The reverse depicts the Roman numeral “V” within a wreath. The United States Mint struck these coins between 1883 and 1913. Collectors also refer to the series as the V Nickel because of the Roman numeral on the reverse. The original design led to an unexpected problem.

The V Nickel Coins

In 1883, the United States Mint replaced the Shield Nickel with a new design. Mint officials believed the new coin offered a cleaner and more refined appearance. The design featured an allegorical image of Liberty on the obverse and a Roman numeral “V” to indicate the five-cent denomination on the reverse. The reverse did not include the word “CENTS.”

Some individuals recognized the omission and exploited public unfamiliarity with the new coin. They applied gold plating to Liberty Head V Nickels and presented them as $5 gold coins. The coins did not match gold pieces in size, but their appearance caused confusion among store owners and the public. Reports of fraud reached the United States Mint. After officials struck over five million Liberty Head V Nickels, the Mint modified the design and added the word “CENTS” to the reverse.

History of Liberty Head Nickels

Many people recognize the expression “Are you joshing me?” The Liberty Head V Nickel often appears in popular explanations of the phrase. A widely repeated numismatic story involves a man named Joshua Tatum. According to numismatic lore, Tatum used gold-plated 1883 Liberty Head V Nickels without “CENTS” in saloons and shops. Merchants sometimes mistook the coins for $5 gold pieces and returned excessive change. Historical records do not conclusively confirm the story, but collectors continue to associate the legend with the coin. The 1883 Liberty Head V Nickel without CENT is sometime called by the nickname “Racketeer Nickel.”

Collecting Nickels from the U.S. Mint

Nickels from the U.S. Mint have a rich history and many present am accessible entry point to collect coins from the U.S. Mint. Other popular American nickels to collect include Shield nickels, Buffalo nickels, and Jefferson Nickels. Jefferson nickels can be exceptionally affordable to start collecting, with dates like the 1964 Jefferson Nickel - Denver, only costing a bit more than their face value.

If you are searching for more nickels, browse our selection of Buffalo nickels, which make a wonderful starting point to expand your U.S. nickel collection to other popular series.