8 Most Valuable Liberty Nickels – The Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1913), designed by Charles E. Barber, is one of the most fascinating and valuable U.S. coin series. Known for its bold “V” (Roman numeral 5) reverse design, this series includes key dates, rare varieties, and legendary rarities that have sold for millions at auction.
Whether you’re a coin collector, investor, or history buff, these eight Liberty Nickels could be your ticket to a fortune—if you’re lucky enough to find one!
Table of Contents
- 1 1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4.5 Million+
- 2 2. 1885 Liberty Head Nickel – $44,650
- 3 3. 1886 Liberty Head Nickel – $32,900
- 4 4. 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel – $29,375
- 5 5. 1894 Liberty Head Nickel – $25,850
- 6 6. 1909-S Liberty Head Nickel – $23,500
- 7 7. 1883 “No CENTS” Liberty Nickel – $18,800
- 8 8. 1897 Liberty Head Nickel – $16,450
- 9 Why Are Liberty Nickels So Valuable?
1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4.5 Million+
Grade: PCGS PR-66
Auction: Private Sale (2018)
The 1913 Liberty Nickel is the king of U.S. coins, with only five known to exist. One specimen sold for $4.56 million in 2018, and another famously fetched $3.7 million in 2010. These coins were struck under mysterious circumstances (possibly as prototypes) and remain the holy grail of nickel collecting.
Also Read: 9 Most Valuable Three-Cent Silver Coins Worth a Fortune
2. 1885 Liberty Head Nickel – $44,650
Grade: PCGS MS-66
Auction: Heritage Auctions (2021)
The 1885 Liberty Nickel is a major key date, with only 1,472 struck. High-grade examples are extremely rare, and this MS-66 beauty sold for nearly $45K—proving that even non-1913 Liberty Nickels can be worth a fortune.
3. 1886 Liberty Head Nickel – $32,900
Grade: PCGS MS-67
Auction: Stack’s Bowers (2020)
With a mintage of just 3,326, the 1886 Liberty Nickel is highly sought-after. This MS-67 example, one of the finest known, brought over $32K at auction.
4. 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel – $29,375
Grade: PCGS MS-65
Auction: Heritage Auctions (2019)
The 1912-S is the only San Francisco Mint issue in the series, with a mintage of just 238,000. In Mint State, it’s a tough find, and this MS-65 coin sold for nearly $30K.
5. 1894 Liberty Head Nickel – $25,850
Grade: PCGS MS-66
Auction: Stack’s Bowers (2018)
The 1894 Liberty Nickel had a low mintage (5,410,000), but high-grade survivors are scarce. This MS-66 specimen commanded over $25K due to its exceptional luster and strike.
6. 1909-S Liberty Head Nickel – $23,500
Grade: PCGS MS-65
Auction: Heritage Auctions (2017)
The 1909-S is a semi-key date, with a mintage of just 1,136,000. In top grades, it’s a prized rarity, as shown by this $23.5K sale.
7. 1883 “No CENTS” Liberty Nickel – $18,800
Grade: PCGS MS-66
Auction: Stack’s Bowers (2016)
The 1883 “No CENTS” Nickel was quickly redesigned after people gold-plated them to pass as $5 coins. This ultra-high-grade example sold for $18,800, proving its desirability.
Also Read: 7 Draped Bust Half Cent Coins That Made Auction History
8. 1897 Liberty Head Nickel – $16,450
Grade: PCGS MS-67
Auction: Heritage Auctions (2015)
While common in lower grades, the 1897 Liberty Nickel is rare in MS-67. This superb gem brought $16,450, showing that condition is everything.
Why Are Liberty Nickels So Valuable?
✔ Extremely Low Mintage Dates – Some years had fewer than 5,000 coins struck.
✔ The Legendary 1913 Nickel – Only 5 exist, making it the ultimate U.S. coin rarity.
✔ Condition Rarity – Mint State (MS-65+) examples are exceptionally scarce.
✔ Historical Significance – The first U.S. nickel to feature the “V” reverse design.
While the 1913 Liberty Nickel is a once-in-a-lifetime find, other dates like the 1885, 1886, and 1912-S are more attainable—yet still worth thousands in top grades.
Have you ever found a rare Liberty Nickel? Let us know in the comments!
