Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 3/10/2025: Gold $2906 | Silver $32.39
1897 Nickel Value
With a large quantity initially minted, 1897 nickel value follows rising premiums with its state of preservation. Higher grade examples are a strong focus of the coin market.
When assessed by the market, coins are defined by their series, date, condition, and any qualities causing them to standout. A few steps, when used, identify these important features. This leads to a complete determination of how much an old Liberty nickel is worth. Review the value chart below to begin an examination of your coin.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date Identified - Always confirm an accurate date, a necessity in the coin market.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Here is when "grading" condition compares to images finding a close match.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Receive and recognizing full value.
| 1897 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
Mint State |
| Liberty Nickel Value Updated | 2025 | |||
| 1897 | $2.29 | $13.33 | $33 | $90 |
Use the above chart as a starting range to wholesale values. Dealers need impact values.
Step 1: Verify an 1890's Nickel
Because this nickel was minted in the nineteenth century, it has an added appeal to collectors. Part of the obsolete Liberty design series, these old nickels are both popular and gaining in value. 1897 was a typical production year with just over 20 million minted. All at the Philadelphia mint.
Widely dispersed into circulation, these nickels were a well-used denomination. It is the long-term usage that has left few higher quality examples remaining. A correct reading of the date and judgment of condition is necessary.
Step 2: | Grades Define the Visual Difference in Condition
Reference the Series of Grade Images Finding a Match
An overall view of the coin begins the grading process. Of interest is recognizing detail remaining within the portrait of Liberty. Small features, as example, hair strands, and lettering showing in the headband, indicate an above grade collectible. These details are a feature of nice quality condition. 1897 nickel value takes a quick jump upward if judged as Fine grade or nicer.
Grades are terms used in the coin field as ratings of condition. Each grade has a certain set of standards to meet. Below are images of coins in the different grades, and when comparing a coin to this set of images, find a close match. Next, follow the grade descriptions indicating key points of interest. Judge a narrow condition and grade range.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: A Liberty nickel judged as Mint State condition has no visible surface wear. Examine small, high relief details in the design to identify absence of wear. When a coin is struck during the minting process, the metal's movement across the dies imparts a fine grain to the surface. This shines as luster. A fine texture gives the coin brilliance but is delicate. Once a coin enters circulation this delicate surface wears and becomes dull.
Note on the example image how the fine grain luster still covers the top edges of all small hair strands. Just above Liberty's forehead there is no signs of smoothing. Wear quickly removes the shine and brilliance in this area. The nickel alloy turns a soft gray color, and causes small flattened areas on the top edges of hair strands.
Liberty's cheek, a high area, compared to the coin's field, the lowest area, are similar in shine when viewed at an angle under a bright light. On nickels in Mint State condition, these features exhibit a moving shine as the coin is tilted. Small raised design elements of the wheat grains and leaves above the headband are the next features to judge. There are no flat spots or surface dullness, and all are completely contoured. The top quality condition of Mint State is the highlight of any collection of nickels.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: It is not common to find 1897 nickels in Extremely Fine condition. This is a difficult grade for the year in pleasing quality. A condition defined as slight wear and restricted to the design's high points.
Used to identify the grade is the small flat area within Liberty's hair bun on the back of her head. The hair bun shows wear and missing strands in the upper part and remaining detail in the lower area. The remainder of Liberty's hair, as well as the coin's fields, now show an overall smoothness to the hair strands and a soft gray color. This change in color and lack of brilliance is a sign of wear.
It is essential the entire lettering of "Liberty" remains readable within the headband above Liberty's eye. Importantly, the letter "I" of "Liberty" is completely distinct and remains bold. It does show the most wear. Within Liberty's hair, only small areas of hair strands visibly blend just below the band. Throughout the hair, no widespread merging of hair strands is visible. Overall, the coins of this quality are visibly bold and sharp.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: With strong details, this 1897 nickel qualifies for Fine Grade status and falls within the collectible category. The condition is well balanced between moderate wear and ample detail.
Features deeply recessed above Liberty's headband have retained their original level of detail. Along with the wheat grains rising above her head, cotton bolls and leaves are clearly visible. With multiple hair strands defined, all of these contribute to the design's quality look.
The headband contains the word "LIBERTY" in its entirety, which is significant and necessary. Despite some areas of the band's lower edge missing or faded, the upper line to the band is complete and full. An indication of a separation of her hair from the forehead places the coin well within the grade range.
Good Grade
Good Grade: A prominent feature of a Good grade Liberty nickel is the smooth outline of Liberty's portrait. To assign a proper grade, all major features display complete outlines. The portrait, stars, date, and rim, are all raised from the field.
Despite heavy wear and lacking many finer details, Liberty is still fully outlined and not faded in areas. The back of her head is typically the focus of a thorough examination for signs of weakness and possible missing edges. Notice that the example displays a good balance of height around the entire portrait.
When examining the stars, they are all complete and noticeably raised above the field. One of the Liberty nickels characteristics is frequently some stars appear bolder than other. The key is no stars are merging with the background. Essential to the grade is the date is fully readable and distinct without touching the rim. Additionally, the entire inner edge of the rim remains visible.
Despite noticeable wear, and major features outlined only, a Liberty nickel still displays a certain pleasing quality. No areas fade to the point of merging with the background, a key to this quality.
How to Video: Grading Liberty Nickels
Liberty nickels range in condition from very worn to no wear on the surface. A set of standard grades defines each. Examine both the obverse and reverse comparing to examples in the video. Reference descriptions to focus on important features.
How to Grade Liberty Nickels | Visual Guide
Step 3: | Special Qualities | Deciding to Receive or Maintain Value
The Decision to Sell or Keep These Historic Liberty Nickels
Choosing to keep or sell these coins brings out their special qualities. What they mean to you and how they can help. Realizing the benefits of valuable coins, or holding on to ones because of memories. Coins are valuable because of these decisions. Importantly, a willingness to part with an old coin is a correct decision. As well as deciding to keep the coin is also correct. Coins often have a special quality helping to decide.
Selling Considerations:
Receiving fair value is the result of both determining a narrow range of worth and then connecting with a dealer.
Using the steps above covers the key factors to identify a coin's potential. Also, a dealer's offer is an indication of their needs. Seeking a stand along appraisal involves a fee. As opposed to an outright sale when accepting an offer.
Smaller holdings of coins, with values researched, are offered to a dealer. Larger collections are best served with the assistance of a dealer. Selling Coins is an article with insights to the process and also listing of dealers to contact.
Keeping and Maintaining Value:
A first step when deciding to keep any of these older coins is to record the information gathered to this point. A few notes to identify the coin, in this case a Liberty nickel, plus its date, condition, and current value, help to organize the holdings. The Coin Values Worksheet is printable, and now becomes a written record of key parts to a description of each coin. Also, personalized notes of the "history" of the coin; from grandfather, or found in circulation, etc., is a plus to its special qualities.
Housing of the coins is also a factor of preservation. Holders to protect and store coins specific to the hobby are now high quality. Modern holders are non-reactive with metal alloys of coins. Recommended are two as a minimum. Individual coin holders, and "coin tubes" for the accumulations of bulk coins. Safe Coin Storage illustrates and describes these products and continues with a few specialized coin holders.
Interesting Older U.S. Coinage
A well-worn Liberty nickel is not the rare coin of high value; however, they are an intrigue to many. Historical coins have a special quality of developing a fascination. Today's collectors often started with a spark of interest from just this type of coins.
References
U.S. Mint. 1898 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/319
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
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