Liberty Head Nickel

1883 Liberty Head Nickel. No CENTS. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC.

This glorious Superb Gem boasts an exceptionally full strike for the type that even extends to the star centrils on the obverse and the ear of corn in the lower left portion of the wreath on the reverse. Brilliant apart from wisps of pale iridescent gold, the surfaces are silky smooth in appearance with an intense satin finish from the dies. In 1881, plans to change the design of the lowest base metal coins were undertaken. For the nickel five-cent piece, the design was rendered in low relief, the diameter of the nickel was widened from 20.5 mm to 21.2 mm, and the weight was increased to 5 grams. In 1883, the new coin was ready and featured a large Roman numeral V on the reverse but without the word CENTS. Once the new coin was introduced, the missing word was immediately seized upon by less than honorable individuals who cut reeds on the edge and gold plated the coin, with the goal of passing them off as $5 half eagles. The Mint redesigned the reverse to include the word CENTS, but only after 5,474,300 of the No CENTS type had been coined. While there was no concerted effort to recall the original coins, many in the public thought the opposite and assumed that they would become quite rare. Many thousands were saved, with a good number in high grade. This issue is quite available in Choice Mint State and even in MS-65 and MS-66, although at the Superb Gem level examples are rare with none found above MS-67+.

PCGS# 3841. NGC ID: 2772.

PCGS Population: 53; 12 finer (all MS-67+).

Estimate: 1400