1905 Nickel Value P & S Mint Marks & Current Prices

Coins are, of course, first of all means of payment and everyday objects, but they are also witnesses of time. And when it comes to the 1905 Liberty v nickel, we are dealing with one of the most characteristic examples of mass, but interesting coinage of the early XX century.

Why does the Liberty Head nickel 1905 deserve special attention among other years? Everything is simple: this is an example from the “transitional” era - between strictly classical styles and bolder, patriotic images that would appear in the U.S. as early as 1913. 

Interest in such coins is growing both among experienced numismatists and beginners. Now more people want to know how much is a 1905 nickel worth, how to distinguish the original from the replica and why is the “V” on the reverse side. And if you too want to go deeper into identifying coins and their values, we suggest talking about Liberty nickel 1905 and well about what is a 1905 nickel worth in more detail.

Historical Background of the Piece: A Passing Era

1905 nickel with V on back was minted in the United States from 1883 to 1913. It was designed by Charles Barber — an engraver who worked on many classic coins of the time. The Liberty image on the obverse was inspired by traditional antique busts, which gave the coin an aristocratic, almost European look.

Why is this 1905 US nickel example interesting for collectors? There are several reasons:

• It is a late issue year within the series, but still before design reform.

• The coins were minted in large numbers, but not all have survived in high preservation.

• They reflect the aesthetics and minting technology of the turn of the century.

Mintages and Features

All 1905 US nickel pieces were minted at Philadelphia. No other mint was involved in the issue, hence:

• There are no mint marks (P, D or S) on the coin;

• Any 1905 coins with additional letters under the “V” are either fakes or erroneous opinions.

Sometimes this 5-cent coin is erroneously referred to as the “1905 victory nickel”, however, it does not officially exist. This confusion may be related to the Roman numeral “V” (five) on the reverse of the coin, which some interpret as “Victory”, or to similar coins from other countries, e.g. Canadian “Victory Nickels” from World War II. However, the correct name of example has nothing to do with the theme of victory or military symbolism.

According to some reports, the total circulation of the series amounted to 29,825,124 copies. Although the numbers seem quite impressive, most of these coins today are in a worn condition. That is why 1905 nickel value today directly depends on the coin's grade (degree of preservation) and even the presence of patina, which is considered a plus by collectors.

Minting Details

For anyone who is holding this coin for the first time, it is important to realize that this one, although not rare in the absolute sense, requires careful inspection. Especially if you want to know exactly how much is a 1905 nickel worth —  because the price is highly dependent on condition, originality, and even proper recognition of small details and nuances.

What Is the 1905 Nickel Made of?

What is the 1905 nickel silver content and how does the composition ultimately affect the 1905 Liberty nickel value? You should note that these examples do not contain silver at all. The coin has a copper-nickel alloy and the following characteristics:

The main characteristics of the coin are

Thus, taking all the above, the 1905 v nickel value is not determined by precious metal content - it depends solely on condition and collector demand.

1905 Liberty Head Nickel Value

How much is a 1905 v nickel worth? It all depends on the condition of a particular specimen. Despite the mass circulation, it is not an easy task to find a coin in a high grade. To estimate the cost, you should be guided by professional numismatic ratings (grading), adopted in the United States (from Good to Mint State). Below is the table showing how much is 1905 v nickel worth depending on its condition:

Prices may vary depending on market, demand and auction premium. For accurate and relevant valuation and to check other details, it is recommended to use Coin ID Scanner app.

1905 V Nickel Errors List: Truth and Fiction

Although the 1905 nickels do not have as extensive a record of error varieties as some other issues, attentive collectors have still found true rarities.

Minting errors make the coins unique and turn the common specimen into a subject of intense interest to numismatists. Below is a list of real confirmed anomalies found on 1905 coins.

1. Split After Strike

• Metal splitting occurs after the die has been struck

• The surface may appear cracked or partially separated

• There is often a noticeable displacement of one of the sides

This error looks really dramatic: it is as if the coin could not withstand the impact of the press and split right in the process of minting. The cause may be an internal defect in the metal or mechanical stress accumulated in the blank.

The result is a split, giving the impression that the coin is about to break in half. Such specimens are extremely rare.

2. Off-Metal Strike

• Copper rather than nickel planchet was used

• The color of the coin is a rich brown, like the Lincoln Cent

• Weight is considerably less than the standard Liberty Nickel (about 3.1 g)

Minting errors on someone else's metal planchet is a real fortune for the collector. The nickel of the year turned out to be minted on a copper blank from a cent.

Color, weight and composition are completely different from the norm, which makes such a specimen especially interesting. Moreover, such cases are officially confirmed by leading grading companies - and this is already a serious reason for hunting.

3. Struck on a Foreign Planchet

• The weight is noticeably less than the standard - about 2.7 grams

• Variations in color and diameter are possible (in this case the coin has a grey color as if made of silver)

• The coin looks “lighter” than the standard specimens.

This nickel was accidentally struck on a blank designed for foreign currency, and the result was really unusual. The light weight, the changed shade of metal and slightly distorted details of the pattern immediately give away the discrepancy. Such coins, as a rule, become an attraction to the collection of errors and can be a challenge even for experienced numismatists.

4. Clipped Planchet

• One of the edges of the coin appears cut or bitten off

• The defect area may affect inscriptions or stars

• The shape of the chipping is straight or arched, depending on the location

Edge chipping is one of the most noticeable and visually intriguing defects. The error occurs before minting, when the blank is struck with the edge caught in the die intersection zone.

Such coins immediately catch the eye, and even without a magnifying glass they are easily distinguishable from ordinary specimens. And the degree of defect varies: from a barely noticeable “bite” to a large cut.

5. Die Crack / CUD Error

• Metallic growths that resemble scars

• Most often occur on the outer edge

• Sometimes the defect forms an “island” of excess metal (CUD)

When the die striking the blank begins to break, the coins show visible marks - cracks, thickenings, and excess metal fragments.  In 1905 nickel such errors were also encountered: lines or thickenings appeared on the field, disturbing the perfect relief.

Estimated Value Of 1905 Nickel with Errors

Don't Get Confused!

Did you ever see requests or discussions of “1905 Buffalo nickel value” or “1905 Indian Head nickel”? Please note, these are not minting errors, but the result of confusion. In 1905, no coins were minted with the Indian and buffalo image either (these designs would come later). If you see such names - there is a mistake or a fake in front of you. Check the information and trust only reliable sources.

Unfortunately, you should keep in mind that as interest in old coins increases, so does the number of fakes. Thus, to check authenticity and real 1905 Liberty Head nickel value you need to study details like design features, weight and diameter, magnification properties or act simpler - use modern tools.

The easiest way for beginners is to scan the coin using applications like Coin ID Scanner to quickly determine its origin, authenticity, variations in nickel error and of course the actual price. This is especially handy when you are not sure if the 1905 Liberty Head v nickel value is different from, say, the 1906 Liberty V nickel value - the difference can be significant!

Final Words

The 1905 Liberty Profile Coin is not rare, but it's not just “another nickel” either. It provides an opportunity to touch an era when the U.S. was changing its design and minting techniques. Despite the mass production, it is not easy to find a well-preserved specimen, while the presence of rare errors makes this coin even more attractive. If you are just starting to collect or want to understand why collectors appreciate these examples, the 1905 Liberty Head is a great start to learning about the history of American numismatics.

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• 1907 Indian Head Nickel Coin Value

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