Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 4/21/2025: Gold $3380 | Silver $32.89
1906 Nickel Value
1906 nickel value represents the availability of these later years in the Liberty nickel series. After minting the series for more than twenty years and continual increases in mintage numbers, ample quantities have survived to the present.
Among those remaining today, a smaller number are of the quality sought by the coin market. Strong demand by collectors is the basis for how much they are worth.
Following the steps below identifies the key information to identify quality and a narrow range on the value chart.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date Identified - Conduct a magnified inspection of the date for accuracy.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Comparing to images, the quality of a coin's surface determines its place on the value chart.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - In depth study of subtle details help recognize higher quality.
| 1906 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
Mint State |
| Liberty Nickel Value Updated | 2025 | |||
| 1906 | $1.80 | $4.62 | $24 | $73 |
Read the value chart as a range of wholesale values for these Liberty nickels. Any large change from one condition category to the next is dependent on subtle grading points. Eye appeal is very important to the market's acceptance of any coin.
Step 1: A Double Check of the Date is Part of the Description Process
In comparison to the rest of the Liberty series, a very large number of 1906 nickels were issued into circulation. Philadelphia mint produced over 38.6 million nickels that year. This number of coins became the third highest mintage year of the entire series. Despite this initial large number of nickels, today's collectors and dealers face the problem of finding examples in a quality above very worn. A pleasing example is worth a premium, and accuracy of reading the date finds its ranking on value charts. A second examination is made to confirm the date.
Step 2: | A Process of Comparing to Images Grades Liberty Nickels
1906 Nickel Value and Importance of Small Details
1906 nickels are highly desirable as a collectible when judged in Extremely Fine grade or higher condition. As part of grading Liberty nickels, fine line details located on high relief points are key to determining this quality status grade. All the different "grades" represent descriptions of condition and used in the hobby when defining coins.
A standard process of comparing coins to images of grades begins to narrow a condition range. Inspecting features highlighted in the following images and descriptions places the coin into a grade. Referencing the value chart now leads to a narrow estimation of worth.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: As part of identifying the Mint State grade, numerous details are inspected. Begin with the coin's rim and move to the thirteen stars surrounding a highly detailed portrait of Liberty. Surface quality of these high-grade nickels shows no signs of wear. A surface without wear is a key part of the definition of condition.
The force of striking the metal during coin production imparts a brilliant mint luster to the coin's surface. The degree to which the coin's shine is complete and the luster retaining its texture are two important factors determining the mint state grade. No signs of wear are noted on Liberty's cheek; the metal still has the same texture and sheen as when it was first minted.
A next step is to look for signs of wear on the design's small but prominent features. Hair directly above Liberty's brow is an area typically showing the first signs of wear. There are no indications of flattening in the hair waves. High contours of hair are separated by recessed lines. Any wear causes the metal to become smooth in this high profile area. For a better view of any reduction to rounded contours, tilt the coin at a low angle, looking across the surface. Additionally, examine the delicate leaf edges above the hairband looking for indications of smooth metal and flattened contours. Liberty's hair and wreath remain brilliant throughout.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: Only lightly worn 1906 nickels fall into the higher quality category of the now available coins. Light wear and small areas of surface smoothing are key requirements of the Extremely Fine grade definition.
Only just noticeable on the example nickel is the slight blending of hair strands within the hair waves. Each area of flatness remains small and confined; this is a determining factor of the condition range. There is no blending and connecting of one flat area into another.
To help identify the grade, a line defining Liberty's hair above the forehead must extend completely to her ear. Second, the letters of "Liberty" are still bold within the headband. Next, and clearly visible above the lettered headband, is a well detailed wreath displaying identifiable wheat grains and cotton leaves. The combination of Liberty's headband, the wreath detail, and her bold hair waves create a striking appearance.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: Due to wear, Fine grade quality is identified and defined by the merging of major design elements. Liberty's portrait has lost her bold hairline that once separated her forehead from the headband above. Throughout Liberty's hair, many strands are now merged into areas of flat and missing detail.
Within the headband of her portrait, the full lettering of "LIBERTY" is a necessary feature keeping the coin with the Fine grade. An essential part of the design to remain is the visible letter "I." There is also additional detail visible above the headband. Note the deeply impressed areas of wheat grains and a few hair strands standout.
A nickel that shows only moderate circulation wear but retains many finer details is considered a collector quality piece. These have appeal to the hobby and are a nice condition coin with many smaller design features clear and bold.
Good Grade
Good Grade: The majority of 1906 nickels remaining today show signs of heavy circulation wear. This condition grades in the Good category range. However, a new collector is often interested in these older and still affordable nickels. A positive feature of the design is how well it retains its pleasing appearance despite heavy use. A Good grade is determined by the extent to which all major features are worn smooth, however they remain well outlined.
Overall, inspecting Liberty and her portrait, finds all inner details worn smooth. Importantly, the portrait's full and bold outline is still visible above the coin's field. A circle of completely outlined stars surrounds the clear outline of Liberty. With the stars fully separate from the rim and bold, this becomes an attractive quality of these nickels. Now add the presence of a solid, complete date, and a Good grade condition Liberty nickel is identified.
How to Video: Grading Liberty Nickels
Video plus extended descriptions give detailed insight into how to grade Liberty nickels. Key features on both the obverse and reverse help complete a thorough judgment of condition.
Grading Liberty Nickels | How to Video and Descriptions
Step 3: | Visual Difference of Extremely Fine Grade is a Special Quality
Tipping the Quality Scale to Collectible Premium Status
Quality is often recognized by the presence of very small details. Deciding factors between all the different grades are subtle but once identified become noticeable and identifiable. Three different nickels are featured in the image. Two are graded as Extremely Fine and the center coin just misses the grade. The center nickel exhibits just slightly heavier wear. A small reduction in visible detail is reducing its condition below the Extremely Fine grade condition.
Quality Comparison of Liberty Nickels
All imaged nickels above fully meet strict standards of Fine grade and above with the bold lettering of "Liberty" within the headband.
However, a subtle but defined hairline just above Liberty's eye is defining the Extremely Fine grade as higher quality above lesser grades. Note on the left and right coins that the separation of Liberty's forehead is distinct with a full line indicating her hair. This line remains complete on Extremely Fine grade coins, especially just past her eye as it continues to her ear. Imaged in the center is a coin that just misses the grade. The line is worn further, small strands of hair are not visible, and an area blends with her forehead.
This slight blending of a once strong hairline with Liberty's forehead is a reliable indicator of coins just missing the Extremely Fine grade. Visually seeing and confirming a complete hairline, including the small hair strands just past the eye, becomes a key feature. A noticeable rise in value begins with the collectible quality Extremely Fine grade.
1906 nickels are one of the years where many are available today. An effort by dealers and collectors to find examples with most details remaining finds the Extremely Fine grade difficult to obtain. Examples in lesser condition are abundant. Lightly worn or better 1906 nickels are solidly in the collectible and premium value category.
References
U.S. Mint. 1907 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514123
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
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★Coin Values Discovery finds 1906 Nickel Value and...
Visit the Coin Values main index. Determine how much your box of old coins is worth. Each coin series is imaged with dates, mints, and condition illustrated. Value charts list each coin individually. Importantly, use the step-by-step method, comparing your coin to descriptions, images, and videos helping identify the important qualities of a narrow value range.