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Classic Liberty adorns 5-cent coin
By Paul Gilkes
COIN WORLD Staff
Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber was asked by Philadelphia Mint Superintendent A. Loudon Snowden in 1881 to prepare patterns for 1-cent, 3-cent and 5-cen... Read more
Liberty Head 5 Cents
Classic Liberty adorns 5-cent coin
By Paul Gilkes
COIN WORLD Staff
Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber was asked by Philadelphia Mint Superintendent A. Loudon Snowden in 1881 to prepare patterns for 1-cent, 3-cent and 5-cent coins with a common obverse motif of a classic head of Liberty, with legend and date.
The reverse was to carry a wreath of corn, wheat and cotton framing the denomination reflected in Roman numerals.
Out of that exercise and with few modifications came the design for what would become the Liberty Head 5-cent coin. The pattern 1-cent and 3-cent pieces were scrapped as being too difficult to coin.
Barber's adopted design carried a rendition of Liberty based on a Greco-Roman marble sculpture. Liberty faces left with a coronet with LIBERTY incused, wheat heads and cotton boughs tucked behind. The pattern design was modified to include 13 six-pointed stars on the obverse and the legend was moved to the reverse. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM was placed in small capital letters in an arc below the wreath-circled Roman number V for five. But there was no other identifiable designation for the denomination.
Soon after being issued in 1883 the Liberty Head 5-cent coin encountered a unique dilemma.
Because it resembled the gold $5 coin and did not include a denomination instantly clear to the public, unscrupulous individuals gold-plated the new 75 percent copper, 25 percent nickel coins before passing them off to merchants at 100 times their actual face value. Many people were fooled by the reeded edge applied to make it look like the gold $5 coin then in circulation. These surreptitious pieces quickly became known as "racketeer nickels."
To repair the damage caused by the confusion, Snowden ordered Barber to modify the 5-cent coin design. The motto was moved above the wreath on the reverse and the denomination CENTS was added below the wreath and Roman numeral V. More than 5 million of the 1883 Without CENTS subtype were made before production was stopped to strike the modified design. The public hoarded the coins, which are more affordable today than their With CENTS subtype. More than 16 million of the With CENTS subtype were struck, but the coins made their way extensively through commerce and are rather scarce today.
Nearly 600 million Liberty Head 5-cent coins were struck for circulation during its 29-year life span. Among the most difficult dates to find are the 1885 and 1886 issues, with 1.47 million and 3.32 million coins produced, respectively. The rarest circulation strike is the 1912-S coin, struck at the San Francisco Mint. Only 238,000 were produced for commerce.
Mintage of the Liberty Head 5-cent coins continued without interruption into late 1912, when the decision was made to replace the Liberty Head design with James Earle Fraser's Indian Head design beginning in 1913. During the changeover period from 1912 to 1913, it is believed one or more Philadelphia Mint employees clandestinely struck at least five Liberty Head 5-cents coins dated 1913. All five known examples were struck on Proof planchets. These famous rarities constitute one of the greatest intrigues in U.S. numismatic history. When sold, the five coins have posted some of the all-time record prices. Two are held in museum collections and three are held in private collections.
Liberty Head 5 cents |
|
| Date of authorization: | May 16, 1866 |
| Dates of issue: | 1883-1912 |
| Designer/Engraver: | Charles Barber |
| Diameter: | 21.21 mm/0.84 inch |
| Weight: | 5.00 grams/0.16 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint mark: | 1912 only, reverse left of CENTS |
Marketplace
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1885 5C AU58 PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: AU-58 -
1885 5C MS62 PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-62 -
1909 Liberty Nickel PCGS PR-67
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Price: $1,995.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS PR-67 -
1910 Liberty Nickel PCGS MS-65
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Price: $675.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS MS-65
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 5C No Cents AU58 PCGS. PCGS | AU-58 | $50.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20085 | PCGS |
| 1883 5C No Cents MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (1032/4605). PCGS | MS-63 | $63.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24049 | NGC |
| 1884 5C AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (3/372). PCGS | AU-50 | $94.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22679 | NGC |
| 1884 5C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (9/360). PCGS | AU-55 | $129.25 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20861 | NGC |
| 1885 5C -- Damaged -- PCGS Genuine. VF Details. PCGS | VF-20 | $470.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7513 | Genuine PCGS |
| 1885 5C -- Polished -- NGC Details. VG. NGC Census: (24/380). PCGS | VG-8 | $229.13 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26077 | NGC Details |
| 1886 5C -- Environmental Damage -- PCGS Genuine. VG Details. NGC Census: (9/310). PCGS | VF-20 | $99.88 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26039 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1886 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (38/201). PCGS | AU-58 | $851.88 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26487 | NGC |
| 1887 5C AU55 ANACS. NGC Census: (10/412). PCGS | AU-55 | $92.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20833 | ANACS |
| 1887 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (49/337). PCGS | MS-62 | $135.13 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20625 | NGC |
| 1888 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (2/299). PCGS | AU-50 | $135.13 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20863 | NGC Details |
| 1888 5C -- Scratches -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (2/303). PCGS | AU-50 | $123.38 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28088 | Details NGC |
| 1889 5C -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (0/540). PCGS | AU-50 | $76.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28703 | Details NGC |
| 1889 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (0/537). PCGS | AU-50 | $66.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20089 | NGC Details |
| 1890 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (56/176). PCGS | MS-63 | $182.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26053 | NGC |
| 1890 5C MS64 PCGS. PCGS | MS-64 | $258.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7553 | PCGS |
| 1891 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (12/362). PCGS | AU-58 | $96.35 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22554 | NGC |
| 1891 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (92/229). PCGS | MS-63 | $170.38 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20043 | NGC |
| 1892 5C -- Scratches -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (3/381). PCGS | AU-50 | $76.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20864 | NGC Details |
| 1892 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $164.50 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26040 | PCGS |
| 1893 5C Liberty Nickel PR64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $329.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2516 | PCGS |
| 1893 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (43/361). PCGS | MS-62 | $170.38 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22062 | NGC |
| 1894 5C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (0/269). PCGS | AU-50 | $193.88 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20090 | NGC Details |
| 1894 5C -- Obverse Spot Removed -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (0/271). PCGS | AU-50 | $135.13 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22555 | NGC Details |
| 1895 5C -- Obverse Spot Removed -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/300). PCGS | MS-60 | $90.00 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22063 | NGC Details |
| 1895 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS | MS-62 | $146.88 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24552 | PCGS |
| 1896 5C -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (1/267). PCGS | MS-60 | $80.00 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22556 | NGC Details |
| 1896 5C -- Scratch -- Genuine PCGS. UNC Details. NGC Census: (1/265). PCGS | MS-60 | $98.70 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26555 | Genuine PCGS |
| 1897 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (60/314). PCGS | MS-62 | $103.40 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20045 | NGC |
| 1897 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (60/319). PCGS | MS-62 | $101.05 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20836 | NGC |
| 1898 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $205.63 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20837 | PCGS |
| 1898 5C MS64+ NGC. NGC Census: (140/103). PCGS | MS-64 | $282.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7554 | NGC |
| 1899 5C -- Obverse Spot Removed -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (2/655). PCGS | MS-60 | $54.00 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22064 | NGC Details |
| 1899 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (123/447). PCGS | MS-63 | $112.80 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20865 | NGC |
| 1900 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (56/650). PCGS | MS-62 | $79.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22681 | NGC |
| 1900 5C MS62 NGC. NGC Census: (58/650). PCGS | MS-62 | $90.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20046 | NGC |
| 1901 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (133/457). PCGS | MS-63 | $105.75 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22040 | NGC |
| 1901 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (133/460). PCGS | MS-63 | $121.03 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20630 | NGC |
| 1902 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (128/425). PCGS | MS-63 | $141.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20091 | NGC |
| 1902 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (131/426). PCGS | MS-63 | $112.80 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20839 | NGC |
| 1903 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (116/518). PCGS | MS-63 | $112.80 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20866 | NGC |
| 1903 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (118/517). PCGS | MS-63 | $101.05 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22065 | NGC |
| 1904 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (19/628). PCGS | AU-58 | $62.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22041 | NGC |
| 1904 5C Liberty Nickel -- Struck on a Cent Planchet -- MS62 Brown PCGS. | MS-62 | $3,525.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 5256 | PCGS |
| 1905 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS | MS-62 | $92.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20991 | PCGS |
| 1905 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $129.25 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20631 | PCGS |
| 1906 5C AU58 PCGS. PCGS | AU-58 | $98.70 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20103 | PCGS |
| 1906 5C MS65 PCGS. CAC. Ex: Palace Collection. PCGS | MS-65 | $558.13 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7559 | PCGS |
| 1907 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS | MS-62 | $123.38 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24553 | PCGS |
| 1907 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $176.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20054 | PCGS |
| 1908 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (110/265). PCGS | MS-63 | $105.75 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24647 | NGC |
| 1908 5C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $129.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20993 | PCGS |
| 1909 5C Liberty Nickel PR65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $470.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2524 | PCGS |
| 1909 5C MS62 PCGS. PCGS | MS-62 | $112.80 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20104 | PCGS |
| 1910 5C AU55 ANACS. NGC Census: (8/565). PCGS | AU-55 | $47.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 24052 | ANACS |
| 1910 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (37/523). PCGS | AU-58 | $62.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22683 | NGC |
| 1911 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (46/1085). PCGS | AU-58 | $62.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22042 | NGC |
| 1911 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (320/633). PCGS | MS-63 | $103.40 | May 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 22559 | NGC |
| 1912 5C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (241/515). PCGS | MS-63 | $112.80 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20050 | NGC |
| 1912 5C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (377/138). PCGS | MS-64 | $152.75 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22684 | NGC |
Add Portfolio
Auctions
- 1909-S 1C S Over Horizontal S VF20 NGC. NGC Census: (13/99). PCGS $129
- 1895 $20 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $2,174
- 1895-S $1 -- Scratches -- NGC Details. Good. NGC Census: (86/1863). PCGS $153
- 1904-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (57595/17058). PCGS $94
- 1886 $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (29316/75360). PCGS $62
- 1873 $20 Open 3 AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (2210/3700). PCGS $1,880
- 1941 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (637/8315). PCGS $47
- 1859-O 10C -- Bent, Cleaned -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (4/105). PCGS $47
- 1899 $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (2513/3454). PCGS $259
- 1887/6 $1 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $485
- 1937-D 25C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (317/189). PCGS $108
- 1941 50C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: (2297/553). PCGS $153
- 1928-S $1 MS64 PCGS. PCGS $911
- 1884-S $1 AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (809/4319). PCGS $200
- 1921-D $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (5502/2195). PCGS $90
- 1941-S 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2616/1130). PCGS $200
- 1840 10C No Drapery -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (4/111). PCGS $28
- 1887 $1 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (25269/3977). PCGS $118
- 1891-CC $1 -- whizzed -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (71/7641). PCGS $118
- 1947 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2476/3456). PCGS $59
All Categories
Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Left Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Right Half Cent
- Draped Bust Half Cent
- Classic Head Half Cent
- Coronet Half Cent
Cent
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Chain Reverse
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Wreath Reverse
- Liberty Cap Large Cent
- Draped Bust Large Cent
- Classic Head Large Cent
- Coronet Large Cent
- Flying Eagle Cent
- Indian Head Cent
- Lincoln Cent
2 Cents
3 Cents
5 Cents
- Shield 5 Cents
- Liberty Head 5 Cents
- Indian Head (Buffalo) 5 Cents
- Jefferson 5 Cents
- Half Disme Pattern
- Flowing Hair Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime
- Capped Bust Half Dime
- Seated Liberty Half Dime
Dime
- Draped Bust Dime
- Capped Bust Dime
- Seated Liberty Dime
- Barber Dime
- Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime
- Roosevelt Dime
20 cents
Quarter
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Capped Bust Quarter Dollar
- Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Barber Quarter Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Washington Quarter Dollar
- America the Beautiful
Half Dollar
- Flowing Hair Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar
- Capped Bust Half Dollar
- Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Franklin Half Dollar
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dollar
- Seated Liberty Dollar
- Trade Dollar
- Morgan Dollar
- Peace Dollar
- Eisenhower Dollar
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar
- Sacagawea/Native American Dollar
- Gold Dollar (All Three "Types")
- Presidential Dollars
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- Gobrecht Dollar
- American Eagles
2.50 dollar
- Capped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Classic Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Coronet $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Head $5 Half Eagle
- Classic Head $5 Half Eagle
- Coronet Head $5 Half Eagle
- Indian Head $5 Half Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head $10 Eagle
- Indian Head $10 Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
- First Spouse
20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
