Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 3/31/2025: Gold $3107 | Silver $34.27
1899 Nickel Value
Discover a close range of 1899 nickel value by using a method following a few steps. Both their date and condition are of importance to collectors of these Liberty nickels. Based on these two primary features, an active coin market determines how much they are worth.
Due to the difficulty in locating 1899 nickels, a premium for this rarity is indicated on the chart. Secondly, the majority of these available today are severely worn. It is also challenging to locate pieces of high quality. Examples of graded coins and up-close images help recognize and pinpoint the qualities for each specific value range.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date Identified - Examine and note the nickel series and date.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Identify and judge higher premium examples using a comparison with grading images.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Subtle visual distinctions are examined to identify possible improved quality.
| 1899 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
Mint State |
| Liberty Nickel Value Updated | 2025 | |||
| 1899 | $1.80 | $5.05 | $24 | $78 |
Listed are wholesale values. These are an average of retail prices used to form a wholesale range. Within each listing above, use it as a guide.
Step 1: Confirm an in Demand Nineteenth Century Nickel
With many collectors, old nickels minted in the nineteenth century have an allure, adding to their popularity. 1899 Liberty nickels represent both this long-ago century and a retired design series. Helping their popularity is the affordable entry for new collectors of the date. Produced in ample quantities by the Philadelphia mint, 26 million, obtaining a nice quality coin becomes a focal point of a collection.
Placing a value on each depends on an accurate recognition of the date confirming this important coin within the series. Begin a process of how much it is worth by recording a double check of the date.
Step 2: | Grading Condition Satisfies a Need for Accurate Valuation
Grades of Coins are a Priority in the Coin Market
All involved in the coin hobby place great importance on grade. From the new collector, to casual hobbyist, to elite market dealers, each depend on the "Grade" of a coin when making value decisions. Grades are a label of a coin's condition.
1899 nickel value reflects the need to spot the difference separating a Fine graded example from the strong premium Extremely Fine grade coin. Inspecting specific features and their condition decides the different grade levels. Start with a comparison to each grade imaged below to judge a close match.
To spot the elements described within the descriptions, a single light source helps bring out the often-subtle details. Also, many within the coin market use magnification to confirm the finest of details.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: The condition and grade of a coin in Mint State is the dividing line between unworn and worn coins. There is no wear to the surface of a Mint State nickel. A close examination of a few wear-prone features determines this high-quality grade.
First, examine the fine hair lines within the wave of Liberty's hair above her forehead. If the metal's shine and texture are intact and no smoothing of the metal is visible, wear is absent. Loss of "luster," the shine, occurs first due to wear. The metal's surface of a Mint State coin is a fine texture, giving it a distinctive shine. Wear softens its color to a duller gray without highlights.
Liberty's cheek and the bun of hair at the back of her head are checked next to confirm the absence of wear. Due to its prominent location and openness, her cheek is quick to show signs of wear. Compare the shine and texture of the metal of her cheek to lower relief, protected areas to verify they match. Additionally, there is no dulling, flattening, or color change in the hair strands of the bun.
Continue to examine the raised areas of the design. Examine the coin from different angles. A single light and tilting the coin add contrast to the surface by deepening the shadows and brightening the highlights. A uniform texture and luster throughout are strong signs the coin has not received wear.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: A Liberty nickel graded Extremely Fine is in a high collectible condition. They are easily part of a quality collection. Determined this grade by the amount of remaining detail and visible crispness. Light wear, just beginning to flatten the highest points, describes and defines the grade.
Small strands of hair above Liberty's forehead are a main feature to inspect and evaluate. Definition of individual hair strands is missing just above her eye. There are still nicely separated hair strands visible closer to her ear. This separation of merged metal areas is crucial to the grade. A small amount of missing detail is also visible in the bun of hair at the back of her head. The only missing details are in isolated spots, and the bun remains defined by deep lines.
When looking closely at the stars along the rim, notice some have a smooth center while others have impressed radial lines. Striking nickel alloy metal into coinage was a challenge at the time. To judge the degree of wear on the coin, use the stars with central lines to help determine the amount of wear.
As a quality piece, the nickel has a nice silver-gray color and no large marks or scratches.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: A notable feature of a nickel in Fine grade is recognizable wear that begins to cover the entire portrait. Now, many features are smooth. Lacking are hair details, and the wreath has noticeable flattened areas.
The fact "LIBERTY" is readable within the headband is crucial to earning the grade. Second, there remains well detailed hair strands near the tie in Liberty's hair, towards the back of her head. These remaining elements and finer details are important features and part of defining the grade.
In addition, Liberty's facial features are clearly defined, adding to the overall condition and grade of the coin. Her ear is particularly well detailed.
Good Grade
Good Grade: These nickels in Good grade feature Liberty's portrait as almost a smooth surface. However, it remains completely outlined. A coin with this amount of wear benefits from having a clearly raised outline of Liberty. Notable for the grade, stars fully defined and distinct from the rim, and a date bold and easily readable.
The appearance of a Good condition nickel avoids the "worn out" look thanks to strong outlines. A large part of this coin's appeal is its complete lack of marks and dents on the rim. Beginning collectors often start with coins of this quality. Here is a nice example of an old nickel series within an affordable range.
How to Video: Grading Liberty Nickels
Examine these Liberty nickels in more detail. Judge subtle features and added areas of the surface, helping confirm an initial assessment. Both the video and images expand the grading process.
Grading Liberty Nickels | How to Video and Descriptions
Step 3: | Special Qualities of Nineteenth Century Coinage Appeal
A Special Quality Found Only in 1899 Liberty Nickels
The date alone, 1899, immediately brings to mind this is a coin from a long-ago century. Minted just before the turn of the century, a feature noticed by everyone. A coin collector enjoys the addition of these older pieces to their collections. They are now an actively sought-after date of the Liberty Nickel series.
1899 Nickel Part of the Liberty Series Spanning Two Centuries
Affordability is also a significant allure of the 1899 nickel. Owning a now recognized very old coin remains within reach of anyone interested in obtaining historical U.S. coinage. With hobbyists as the strong base to underlying values, demand extends throughout the range of collectors. New collectors assembling a circulated set to advanced collectors, seek these coins.
1899 becomes a notable year in the series. Liberty nickels now span two centuries, as the series continues into the 1900's.
Quality Liberty Nickel With Pleasing Details Remaining
When examining a coin in the mid-range of condition, a significant amount of detail remains. These moderately circulated pieces in Fine grade remain eye appealing with ample minor details. A full "LIBERTY" is readable within the headband. You can distinguish features of the wheat grains and cotton just above the band. Waves of Liberty's hair are well defined by strands leading to the hair tie at the back of her head.
Looking at the coin in general, the vintage artistic style is an additional alure of the Liberty nickel series. A date collection of the series, 1883 to 1912, with thirty coins is an impressive display. Coins from two different centuries are represented. These coins directly preceded the bold Buffalo nickels introduced in 1913.
As the last of an era coin, 1899 nickels enjoy strong fundamental demand. A special quality to the coin. Due to its affordability, and these unique qualities, the 1899 Liberty Nickel is one of the series' most popular dates.
References
U.S. Mint. 1900 U.S. Mint Annual Report.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/320
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
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