NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECE 1883 Liberty, Without CENTS
Description
In 1883 a new size and design appeared. The diameter of the coin changed from 20.5 mm to 21.2. The weight, however, did not change. It is speculated that the new design that depicts the head of Miss Liberty on the obverse was modeled after the Goddess Diana. The Liberty Head motif by Charles E. Barber. Miss Liberty wore a coronet inscribed with LIBERTY and surrounded by 13 stars, with the date below.
The reverse shows an agricultural wreath, open at the top, enclosing the Roman letter V as the only mark of value. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM surround. The word CENTS does not appear on the coin. Unscrupulous persons gold-plated the pieces and passed them off as $5 gold coins to unsuspecting merchants and citizens. The mint realized that a design error had been created, and soon the word CENTS was added to the reverse.
The variety captured the fancy of the public, and rumors quickly spread that the mint was calling them in and that the value would soon rise sharply. The rumor was untrue but it did not stop vast quantities from being hoarded.
In grades from Good through Uncirculated, particularly in higher grades from Extremely Fine through AU, examples are easily available. Superb Uncirculated coins are also available, but some searching may be required to locate a nice one.
Valuation
- COIN NAME
- NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECE 1883 Liberty, Without CENTS
- DESIGNED BY
- Charles E. Barber
- ISSUE DATE
- 1883
- COMPOSITION
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- DIAMETER
- 21.2 mm
- WEIGHT
- 77.16 grains (5 grams)
- EDGE
- Plain
- BUS MINT
- 5,474@000
- PROOF MINT
- 5,219
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