Introduced in 1883, the Liberty Head (“V”) Nickel by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber is a cornerstone of American numismatics. The 1885 issue stands out as the key date in the series—scarce from the Philadelphia Mint and eagerly sought by collectors. This in-depth guide examines its designer, artwork, production, rare survivors, significant auction results, known errors, and intrinsic metal value.
Key Takeaways
- Designer: Charles E. Barber (Chief Engraver 1879–1917).
- Obverse: Liberty head with DIadem inscribed “LIBERTY.” Reverse: large Roman numeral V with wreath, “CENTS” added below (from June 1883).
- 1885 is the key date in the “V” Nickel series, struck only at Philadelphia with 1,462,871 coins.
- Premium survivors in MS65–MS67 range from $8,000 to $35,000 at auction.
- Known errors include the rare repunched date and “repunched mintmark” varieties.
- Intrinsic melt value (75% copper/25% nickel) is roughly $0.07–$0.10 per coin.
Designer & Interesting Facts
Charles E. Barber (1840–1917) served as the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver for nearly four decades. Though often overshadowed by patents and the later Indian Head Nickel, Barber’s Liberty Head Nickel was his first major five-cent coin design. The series spawned a legend when five secret 1913 proof nickels appeared—today each valued in the multi-million-dollar range.
Obverse and Reverse Design
Obverse
Barber’s obverse shows Lady Liberty in profile facing left, wearing a coronet inscribed “LIBERTY,” encircled by 13 six-pointed stars and the date below.
Reverse
The reverse bears a bold Roman “V” (value 5) surrounded by a wheat wreath. After fraudulently plated “no CENTS” 1883 issues were abused as $5 gold coins, Barber’s June 1883 re-engraving added “CENTS” under the wreath and moved “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above.
Mints & Mintage
Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
| Mint | Year | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | 1885 | 1,462,871 |
Key Date Status
Yes – the 1885 V Nickel is the acknowledged “key date” in the series. Its sub-1.5 million issue and high attrition rate make it one of the toughest U.S. circulation nickels to find.
Proof & Special Issues
No proof or special collector strikes were made in 1885. Proof issues began in 1883 and continued annually, but 1885 had no separate proof run.
Notable Rarities & Auction Results
In recent years, gem quality survivors graded MS65–MS67+ have commanded strong prices:
- MS65: $8,000–$12,000
- MS66: $15,000–$22,000
- MS67: $28,000–$35,000
Most Valuable Sold: PCGS MS67+ example realized $35,200 at Stack’s Bowers (July 2021).
Error Varieties
Several error and die-variety survivors add excitement:
| Error Type | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Repunched Date | Second digit “8” repunched over a faint guide punch | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Clashed Die | Light die clash faintly shows Liberty’s head on reverse | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Misaligned CENTS | Reverse legend “CENTS” slightly off-center | $1,000–$2,000 |
Value by Grade (Philadelphia)
| Grade | Raw (Ungraded) | Certified MS |
|---|---|---|
| VF20 | $450 | – |
| XF45 | $750 | – |
| MS60 | $1,500 | $1,800 |
| MS65 | $8,000 | $9,500 |
| MS67 | – | $28,000–$35,000 |
Intrinsic Value
Each V Nickel is 75% copper, 25% nickel (5 g total weight). At current spot prices, the melt value is roughly $0.07–$0.10 per coin.