1901 Liberty Head V Nickel Value Guide

The 1901 Liberty Head V Nickel is a classic piece of American numismatic history designed by Charles E. Barber. It is highly collectible for its iconic Roman numeral 'V' reverse and its connection to the 'Racketeer Nickel' era of the late 19th century.

What Is 1901 Liberty Head V Nickel Worth?

The typical price range for 1901 Liberty Head V Nickel is $4 - $5 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Surface preservation and the amount of wear on Liberty's hair curls and the wreath leaves.
• Presence of original mint luster, which significantly increases value over the $4-$5 base price.
• Eye appeal, including the absence of dark spotting or heavy scratches on the copper-nickel surface.
• Strike quality, specifically the sharpness of the stars and the 'V' on the reverse.

How to Identify 1901 Liberty Head V Nickel?

• Verify the presence of the word 'CENTS' at the bottom of the reverse, which was standard for the 1901 issue.
• Check for the distinct Liberty Head profile facing left, surrounded by 13 stars on the obverse.
• Confirm the material is a copper-nickel alloy with a diameter of 21.2mm.
• Look for the designer's initial 'B' at the base of Liberty's neck.

History of 1901 Liberty Head V Nickel

The Liberty Head V Nickel was minted from 1883 to 1913. Designed by Charles E. Barber, it replaced the Shield Nickel. Initially, the coin caused confusion because the 'V' for five cents was prominently displayed without the word 'cents,' leading some to plate them in gold and pass them off as five-dollar gold pieces. The word 'cents' was added to the reverse in late 1883. It is a highly sought-after coin for many collectors, especially the rare 1913 version.