Value of V Nickels

The Denver mint struck Liberty nickels in 1912, the only year. 1912 was also the last of circulation strike issues of the series. These are in favor with collectors; the "last of issue" status and a small comparative number minted: 8,747,000 pieces. Higher condition examples are sought by collectors with above average values.

Location of the "D" mintmark is on the reverse along the rim in front of "Cents".

San Francisco mint also contributed to production of Liberty nickels. In 1912 only, they struck a total of 238,000 pieces and created one of the series key issues. The small amount of coinage became the lowest number of any variety circulation strike Liberty nickel. These trade strongly in value just behind the 1885 and 1886 keys.

Look to the reverse of 1912 nickels to find the "S" mintmark. Along the rim above the "C" in Cents a small "S" denotes the San Francisco mint. The letter is small, no larger than the design dot above and needs magnification to confirm.

Philadelphia mint struck coins every year of the Liberty nickel series. They did not mark their production in any way, no mint mark for the Philadelphia mint coins.

Of importance to mint variety is the 1912 date only. With the addition of two branch mints striking coins this year, accurate identity of mint determines value. On the reverse, along the rim and just above "C" in Cents is a small dot. If the areas between the dot and rim is clear the coin was minted in Philadelphia.

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Mint state coins are special because of no wear to the surface. These coins are as minted. Key areas are judged to identify a coin meets the standard of no wear.

Fine lines of hair are above Liberty's forehead and noted as remaining with original surfaces with no smoothing, a result of wear.

Grains of wheat above the coronet are still rounded in profile, no flatness is visible. Cotton leaves and bolls are without any signs of flattening and smoothing.

Liberty's cheek is very prone to showing signs of handlining and wear. Look closely at the texture of metal, consistent grain to the surface indicated no wear. Neckline just above the date is also free of wear on the example mint state nickel.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A very finely detailed wreath of corn and cotton has many areas high in relief. Areas along edges of leaves and grains quickly show any signs of wear.

Grains within the corn left of the bow must remain without any flatness.

Inspect the edges of all leaves, a slightly raised area is noted along the edge without any flatness. Minute detail is seen within the cotton and corn.

The central "V" remains with a texture similar to the field of the coin just below. Wear causes the "V" to appear smooth in comparison. Original mint luster gives the "V" and fields a soft glow when under a light, indicating mint state condition.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Wear is light across the surface, a small amount of flatness is evident. Localized and disconnected flattening helps define the Extremely Fine grade.

Lettering in coronet is bold and complete. All letters must show and the coronet is defined by a bold upper and lower line inside the edge.

Above the coronet, wheat grains are visible, two cotton bolls, and leaves are all bold and distinct. Any flattening to these elements is minor without blending of one into another.

Forehead is completely separated from hairline. Strands of hair remain visible above forehead and towards Liberty's ear.

Liberty's cheek shows a small flatness under her eye.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Overall a well-defined wreath remains, defining the Extremely Fine grade.

Key to the grade is small details are bold. Just right of the bow, an ear of corn remains with visible kernels.

High points are just beginning to flatten on the leaves of cotton further up the right side of the wreath. Each leaf is defined and separated.

Central knot of the bow is well raised above the stems on either side.

Design of cotton bolls remains; a clear distinction is bold and showing the upper cotton fluff and leaves just below. Sharp fine lines remain throughout the majority of wreath.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Heavy wear has now reduced most of the smaller details and created wide areas of flatness.

Important to reaching the Fine grade is all letters of "Liberty" are visible in the coronet. Liberty's head band is faded towards the end, connecting with hair and cotton detail. The letter "Y" is visible and complete.

Another indication of Fine grade condition is the letter "I" remains visible. Often, because of its high relied this portion of the cornet wears first, leaving the "I" just visible. Clear full lettering is confirming the Fine grade.

Boldness remains in hair lines and lower relief portions of cotton and cotton bolls. Hair lines are strong and mostly separated as they approach the tie of hair at back.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Details of the wreath are beginning to fade and merge together, placing a Liberty nickel in Fine grade.

Details in the centers of cotton leaves have worn smooth creating a flat appearance to the leaf. Once raised leaf edges are now flat and merging with the stems.

Cotton bolls have lost the defining line from the top fluff and bottom portion.

A clear motto "In God We Trust" remains, necessary to achieve a Fine grade and value.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Heavy wear reducing all design elements to flat outlines is a definition of the Good grade.

Liberty's portrait must remain completely outlined with no faded areas connecting to the field of the coin.

Stars are all bold from the field with full outlines. Centers of stars are flat but each star is raised with all points showing.

A complete rim with no blending with the field places this coin solid within the Good grade.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Many parts of the design are faded, with a few areas completely smooth.

Legend along the rim is weak in spots and trying to blend with the rim. Areas of letters are bolder than others due to variance in strike.

Often the motto "E Pluribus Unum" is very weak to missing. Any indications of the motto showing helps with eye appeal and collectability.

Most parts of the wreath are in outline form; a few areas are faint.

A partial to full rim must remain to keep a Liberty nickel in the Good grade range.

Appealing Natural Color

Quickly eliminated as collector quality is the dark toned example. Amount of wear to the surface of the darkened coin would place it in Fine grade. However, highly visible discoloration lowers appeal to all collectors, new to advanced. All collectors choose the natural surface coin.

Minimum Collector Condition

Looking at the two examples, one falls out of collector range in a subtle way. The Low-Quality coin shows the reverse is worn to the point; parts of the design are missing. The Good-Grade quality reverse is just slightly better, with a complete rim and letters and is an acceptable choice for a circulated collection.

More Old Nickel Values

The index page for the Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, Jefferson and Three Cent Nickels. Find the rare nickels in your box of old coins by matching your coins to the grading images and value charts.