No Cents, Great Worth: 1883 Liberty Head Nickel Value Guide

No Cents, Great Worth: 1883 Liberty Head Nickel Value Guide

In 1883, there was released a fine series that lived long, for almost 30 years in a row. The rise is always fascinating to witness, and the earliest coins of the series often hold particular allure and value (not because of design features or unique properties but their place in history).

In 1883, there was released a fine series that lived long, for almost 30 years in a row. The rise is always fascinating to witness, and the earliest coins of the series often hold particular allure and value (not because of design features or unique properties but their place in history). 

Two variations of the same issue. What if you own one but are not aware of its true worth? Let us briefly explore which features identify this coin as unique and how much it is worth today.  

A picture of an 1883 Liberty Head Nickel with no "Cents" on the reverse side, in proof DCAM condition.

What Is the 1883 Liberty Nickel?

The 1883 Liberty V nickel is an iconic coin that was produced as a part of a new series in the late 1800s. Designed by Charles E. Barber, it replaced the previous Shield Nickel design and was the first five-cent piece in the US to portray Lady Liberty in a more traditional, classic way. The obverse depicts a fine profile of Liberty wearing a coronet emblazoned with the word “Liberty”. On the reverse, on its part, there is an ornate wreath surrounding a large “V” (a Roman numeral meaning “five”).


Obverse Design

Lady Liberty wearing a coronet

Reverse Design

The Roman numeral  "V", surrounded by the wreath

Produced by

Philadelphia 

Denomination

5 cents

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Composition

75% copper, 25% nickel

Edge

Plain


Related articlesHow Much Is a Liberty Head Nickel Worth? Value & Key Dates

What Do “No Cents” and "With Cents" Mean?

The terms "No Cents" and "With Cents" refer to two varieties of the Liberty Head nickel 1883:

  • "With Cents" – 16,032,983 pieces. The standard version, featuring the word "Cents" beneath the large "V" on the reverse. 

  • "No Cents" – 5,479,519 pieces. This variety, lacking the word "Cents" on the reverse, which makes it resemble a $5 gold coin. The omission led to confusion and forced the Mint to quickly correct the design for future issues.

A picture of an 1883 Liberty Head Nickel with no "Cents" on the reverse side, in proof DCAM condition.

How Much Do 1883 Nickels Cost? 

As the first representatives of Liberty head coins, the 1883 Liberty nickel value is mainly dependent on the type and grade attributed by reputable grading services like PCGS or NGC. 

Since online auction websites reflect the most relevant data and collector’s demand, it is vital to track down how much people are ready to pay for small plates of metal. To do so, it might be reasonable to employ tools like Coin ID Scanner to review coin cards (by taking pictures or surfing the database), manage collections, ask for assistance, and analyze recent sales. This is what Coin ID Scanner has to demonstrate: 


1883 5C No Cents

Legend Rare Coin Auctions (07-15-2021)

$49,938

1883 5C With Cents

American Numismatic Rarities (03-14-2006) 

$34,500


Owning a rarity can be flabbergasting, but imagine the joy and satisfaction as you get a new resident of your collection. Explore nickels and we bet you may find something precious to your heart.

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