The United States Liberty Head Nickel, also known as the “V Nickel,” is a fascinating chapter in American coinage history. First issued in 1883, the coin featured the classical profile of Lady Liberty on the obverse, designed by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. The reverse originally displayed a large Roman numeral “V” to denote its five-cent value, surrounded by a wreath.
However, the earliest 1883 version did not include the word “CENTS,” leading to a brief and infamous incident where con artists gold-plated the coins and passed them off as $5 gold pieces. In response, the Mint quickly updated the design to include the word “CENTS” on the reverse later that same year.
The Liberty Head Nickel was minted until 1912 and is remembered for its elegant design and its place in numismatic lore. It also holds a special place in history due to the ultra-rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickels—coins not officially authorized but somehow struck, with only five known to exist today, making them among the most valuable and mysterious coins in American history.
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