The Liberty Nickel, designed by the U.S. Mints Chief Engraver Charles Barber, began production in 1883 the last coins were officially minted in 1912. However, an unknown number were minted with the date 1913, only 5 are known to exist, and one of those recently sold at auction for over $4 million dollars, which at this time is the 2nd highest amount ever paid for a U.S. minted coin.
For most of its production period the Liberty Nickel was only minted in Philadelphia. The coin was only minted in both Denver and San Francisco during 1912, the 1912-S having the smallest production for all years of production.
The design carries a portrait of Lady Liberty facing left on the Obverse, on the reverse is a large "V" surrounded by "United States OF America". For 1883 only the word "CENTS" was left off below the "V". It was added mid-1883 when it was discovered that some of the Liberty Nickels had been gold plated and passed as $5 gold pieces. It was the same size and similar design. The Liberty Nickel enjoys a "history" or sorts and is a very collectible coin.
Liberty Nickel Mintage
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 no CENTS | 5,474,300 | ||
| 1883 CENTS | 16,026,200 | ||
| 1884 | 11,270,000 | ||
| 1885 | 1,473,300 | ||
| 1886 | 3,326,000 | ||
| 1887 | 15,260,692 | ||
| 1888 | 10,715,901 | ||
| 1889 | 15,878,025 | ||
| 1890 | 16,256,532 | ||
| 1891 | 16,832,000 | ||
| 1892 | 11,696,897 | ||
| 1893 | 13,368,000 | ||
| 1894 | 5,410,500 | ||
| 1895 | 9,977,822 | ||
| 1896 | 8,841,048 | ||
| 1897 | 20,426,797 | ||
| 1898 | 12,530,292 | ||
| 1899 | 26,027,000 | ||
| 1900 | 27,253,733 | ||
| 1901 | 26,478,228 | ||
| 1902 | 31,487,581 | ||
| 1903 | 28,004,930 | ||
| 1904 | 21,403,167 | ||
| 1905 | 29,825,124 | ||
| 1906 | 38,612,000 | ||
| 1907 | 39,213,325 | ||
| 1908 | 22,684,557 | ||
| 1909 | 11,585,763 | ||
| 1910 | 30,166,948 | ||
| 1911 | 39,557,639 | ||
| 1912 | 26,234,569 | 8,474,000 | 238,000 |
| 1913 | 5 known |