The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most legendary and valuable coins in American history. Officially, the U.S. Mint ceased production of Liberty Head nickels in 1912, making the existence of the 1913 version a mystery and a rarity—only five known specimens exist.
These coins were likely produced unofficially by a mint employee, adding to their intrigue and desirability. Each example has a fascinating provenance and has sold for millions at auction. Coveted for its rarity, controversy, and historical mystique, the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel stands as a crown jewel of numismatic collecting.
1913 Liberty Head Nickel Value
A nickel is worth five cents – until it’s not. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is worth millions of dollars. This 1913 nickel gets its value from a mysterious beginning and scarcity. The most recent sales of two of the three 1913 coins held in private collections were $4.5 million in 2018 and $4.2 million in 2022.
Known as the Walton specimen because it was once owned by George O. Walton of Roanoke, North Carolina, the Lady Liberty nickel that recently sold for $4.2 million previously changed hands in 2013 for $3.1 million and an unknown value in 2018.
The Eliasberg specimen is the finest of the five 1913 Liberty Head nickels that sold for $4.5 million in 2018. On the Professional Coin Grading Service website, it shows a value of $6.75 million and rising.
The Walton and Eliasberg specimens are now in the hands of Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections in Irvine, California. Stack’s Bowers Galleries facilitated the sale of another coin, the Olsen specimen, to a private owner in 2021.
Two other 1913 Liberty Head nickels are in museums: the McDermott specimen at the American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Norweb specimen at the Smithsonian Institution.
History of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Engraver Charles E. Barber designed the Liberty nickel, and the first Lady Liberty nickel was struck in 1883. The coin features the head of Lady Liberty facing left on the obverse just above the date, surrounded by 13 stars.
On the reverse, a wreath, open-ended at the top, surrounds the Roman numeral “V.” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs above the opening of the wreath, and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircles the wreath, with “CENTS” forming the bottom of the circle.
The U.S. Mint produced millions of Liberty Head nickels before discontinuing the design in December 1912; the Buffalo nickel was to be introduced in 1913. Although the exact circumstances aren’t known, it’s believed that in the first months of 1913, the once-pedestrian pocket change that was the Liberty nickel transformed into a legend.
The 1913 Liberty Head nickel was struck secretly at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. Somehow, five nickels fell into the hands of Samuel W. Brown, a former storekeeper at the Philadelphia Mint who later became mayor of North Tonawanda, New York. At the end of 1919, Brown placed an ad in “The Numismatist,” ostensibly seeking the coins in exchange for $500 and raising the offer to $600.
Brown displayed the five coins at the American Numismatic Association’s August 1920 convention and sold them to a coin dealer in Philadelphia years later. When B. Max Mehl, a Fort Worth, Texas, coin dealer, offered to buy any of the five 1913 Liberty Head nickels, his offer sent collectors across the country sifting through their coins for the holy nickel – and the 1913 Liberty nickel’s status was set.
How to Check if Your 1913 Liberty Head Nickels Are Valuable
Although enthusiasts have been searching through change for over a century, no 1913 Liberty nickels have been found. You can check a nickel’s provenance (the record of sales and ownership) if you can buy one. Otherwise, here are general rules for determining the value of a coin.
Condition
A coin’s condition or grade helps determine its value. Coins in mint condition are more valuable than those that show wear.
The 1913 Liberty Head nickels were struck as proofs and the production was unauthorized, so the coins were uncirculated. The conditions of the five nickels are graded from good-about-uncirculated to gem-uncirculated with minimal imperfections.
Date
The date of a coin can significantly affect its value. For example, a 1912 Liberty nickel may be worth up to thousands of dollars, but the few coins struck in 1913 are worth millions. In the case of the Lady Liberty nickel, the date should appear at the bottom of the obverse or front of the coin.
Mint Marks
The mint mark is a letter identifying the U.S. mint that produced a coin, though not all coins bear this mark. This letter establishes accountability for coin quality and can help a collector verify a coin’s authenticity. The 1913 Lady Liberty nickel doesn’t bear a mint mark, but it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
Mint Errors
Mint errors – like double or off-center strikes – on coins released for circulation can increase a coin’s value. The 1913 Liberty Head nickels’ value stems from their unsanctioned, secretive production rather than from mint errors, making them even more coveted.
How to Buy and Sell the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Two of the 1913 Liberty Head nickels are in museums, while the remaining three were sold to private collectors within the last three years. Numismatists say it’s unlikely these coins will be available for sale soon.
In the meantime, you can consider investing in other rare coins, which will give you time to learn more about the market, coin dealers, and the potential value of your investments.
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Seek Out a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel for an Investment
For many coin collectors, obtaining a 1913 Liberty Head nickel is the Holy Grail. With its mysterious beginnings and scarcity, the 1913 nickel could continue to appreciate, making it a worthy target for investors.
If you’re looking for an alternative investment, consider diversifying your assets through coin collecting – even if the 1913 Lady Liberty is out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The 1913 Liberty nickel was produced without authorization after the Liberty Head nickel was retired in 1912 and minted in an extremely limited quantity. Struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia under secrecy, just five 1913 Liberty nickels are known to exist.
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A 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is worth $3 million to over $5 million, depending on its condition and provenance. With only five known examples, it is one of the rarest and most valuable U.S. coins ever minted.
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The rare nickel that sold for $4.2 million is the famous Walton 1913 Liberty Head Nickel — one of only five known examples ever produced.
