Liberty Head V Nickel Value
Liberty Head nickels, called V nickels for the Roman numeral on the back, were struck from 1883 to 1912.
Melt value
No melt value: base metal
This coin is 75% copper, 25% nickel. Doubloon doesn't give copper, nickel, zinc or steel a melt value; for this coin, the date, mint mark and condition decide the collector value.
Check yours in Doubloon
Photograph the front and back. Doubloon identifies the year and mint mark and shows the melt value. Doubloon Pro adds collector ranges with their sources and the key dates to check.
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Specifications
| Series | Liberty Head Nickel |
|---|---|
| Years | 1883 to 1913 |
| Mints | No mint mark (Philadelphia) D (Denver) S (San Francisco) |
| Mint mark location | Reverse, to the left of CENTS below the dot (1912-D and 1912-S only). |
| Years | Metal content | Composition | Weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 to 1913 | None (base metal) | 75% copper, 25% nickel | 5 g | 21.2 mm |
Metal content = weight × precious-metal fraction ÷ 31.1034768 grams per troy ounce. Worn coins weigh slightly less than new ones.
Key dates and varieties to check
These are the known key dates, varieties and metal changes for the Liberty Head Nickel. Each entry says what to look at on the coin.
- Variety1883 No CENTSLook at the reverse: the Roman numeral V appears without the word CENTS below the wreath.
- Key date1885Check the date for 1885.
- Key date1886Check the date for 1886.
- Key date1912-SLook for an S on the reverse left of CENTS.
- Semi-key date1912-DLook for a D on the reverse left of CENTS.
- Key date1913 Liberty HeadCheck the date: five 1913 Liberty Head nickels are known, all accounted for. Altered dates exist.
Doubloon can't confirm a variety from a photo. Compare your coin with this guidance. A grading service can authenticate it.
What sets the value
Melt value is the gold, silver, platinum or palladium in the coin multiplied by the current spot price. Copper, nickel, zinc and steel coins have no melt value in Doubloon.
Collector value depends on the date, the mint mark, any variety, and condition. Doubloon Pro shows a collector estimate range by condition, built from recent public sales and listings, with the sources and date for each range. When no recent sales are found, Doubloon says so and shows the melt value.
Condition runs from Circulated (Good to Fine) through Extremely Fine, About Uncirculated and Uncirculated, to Proof for coins struck for collectors. Don't clean a coin: cleaning can lower its collector value.
Related coins
Sources and dates
- Doubloon catalog source: usmint-history
- A Guide Book of United States Coins (Whitman): key dates, varieties and mintages
- Doubloon catalog source: pcgs-coinfacts
- Spot prices: unavailable when this page was loaded.
- Specifications and key dates: Doubloon's catalog, reviewed October 8, 2026.
Values on this page are estimates, not appraisals, offers or investment advice.