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The first year of the V Nickels in which this issue had the word CENTS replaced by the phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM. This change became a danger to potential alterations (gold plated to look like a Half Eagle) thus ending the design in well under a year. This issue of the Liberty Nickel is common from the poorest of grades up to the gem level, leaving just the finest of gems with any scarcity at all.
Obverse Description
Lady Liberty with the word LIBERTY on her crown faces left with 13 stars around the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom center.
Reverse Description
Large V (roman numeral 5) is centered in the design surrounded by an ornate wreath with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM around the periphery.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: This historical and fascinating variety was saved in quantity at the time of issue. Today, examples are common in all Mint State grade levels. Striking sharpness can vary considerably. Many have die cracks and other interesting features. There are enough around for just about everyone interested. Such a coin is a fascinating addition to any collection, for few issues have more remarkable stories. Several youngsters who later become prominent professional numismatists, Farran Zerbe and Arthur M. Kagin among them, became interested in coin collecting after obtaining one of these curious nickels.
CIRCULATION STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: The dies were not widely studied until the 1960’s. Of the 630 obverse dies used to coin both types of 1883 Liberty Head nickel, an estimated 200 or more were used exclusively for this issue. Some 242 reverse dies, all of Reverse Style B, are known to have been made. So many die pairs were used that no one rule can fit all. The striking of details ranges from weak to sharp, but is usually above average, with full stars and with decent details on the reverse, but with some lightness on the corn. The luster is usually satiny, sometimes slightly prooflike, but not often deeply frosty. Die cracks are very common on this issue; some are so extensive it seems surprising that the dies held together. This letter from Herman K. Crofoot, published in the July 1956 issue of The Numismatist, reflects this:
In starting over a quantity of 1883 No CENTS five-cent pieces I find one with a die break joining the UN of UNITED with the rim of the coin, first I have seen. I would like very much to hear from anyone who has a similar die break so that I may compile a list of them.
Of those 630 obverse dies, probably not all were used. If all were employed for the combined coinage of 21,500,000 for both types, that would indicate a life of about 34,000 impressions per die. Most dies were probably retired due to cracking, not wear.
Mintage and Distribution Notes: As discussed in the narrative above, this issue was eagerly snapped up by the public and was saved in quantity.
PROOF STRIKES
Characteristics and Appearance: Proofs are usually well struck and with good contrast.
Mintage and Distribution Notes: Reverse Style A (with repunched S in PLURI- BUS; rare) and Reverse Style B (usually seen). By March 31, Proof production amounted to 3,519 coins, reflecting the tremendous demand for this curious variety. By June 30, an additional 1,700 were delivered. This accounts for the figure of 5,219 commonly quoted, as here. R.W. Julian, in “Notes on U.S. Proof Coinage” (1966), cites 2,850 With CENTS Proofs delivered on June 26, with 1,000 more on October 11, and a further 2,993 by December 31. These figures are somewhat confusing as they indicate a great demand for the With CENTS, a sentiment that seems unlikely and is questioned by Breen in his Proof coins encyclopedia. It would seem reasonable to me that much of the With CENTS mintage quantity should be moved to the Without CENTS, an action that seems to be verified by market appearances and certification data. Likely, collector demand for Without CENTS Proofs lasted throughout the year, and orders for such coins were filled. Breen states that at least seven Proof obverse dies were used, indicating a large coinage. This includes varieties with the 1 close to the neck and distant from the denticles, another with the 1 close to the denticles, and several with the digit about centered. In any event, for a time in 1883 the Mint contin- ued to strike and sell all three designs of nickels of the year, the Shield and both types of the Liberty Head.1
VARIETIES:
Repunched Date—FS-1301. As described in the Fivaz-Stanton book, Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, the lower left serif of the 1 in the date extends outward from the lower left side of the first 8. URS-4.
Catalog Information
GSID:
2947
Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Obverse Designer:
Charles Barber
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1883
Reverse Designer:
Charles Barber
Reverse Lettering:
V, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
No Cents
Coin Date:
1883
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
5,474,300
Coinage Type:
Liberty head nickel
Coinage Years:
1883
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3841
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Coin Value History
1883 5c No Cents MS
Value By Grade
1883 5c No Cents MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$3,100 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $2,500 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Liberty (V) Nickel 5c No Cents, 1883 MS [Type]
![Liberty (V) Nickel 5c No Cents, 1883 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1314_3218-0.20200626064157466.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $3 – $2,600
Liberty (V) Nickel 5c With Cents, 1883-1912 MS [Type]
![Liberty (V) Nickel 5c With Cents, 1883-1912 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/Vobv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $1 – $3,600
1883 5c Cents MS
Worth: $8 – $3,600
1884 5c MS
Worth: $8 – $12,000
1885 5c MS
Worth: $125 – $26,000
1886 5c MS
Worth: $58 – $35,000
1887 5c MS
Worth: $5 – $10,000
1888 5c MS
Worth: $10 – $9,000
1889 5c MS
Worth: $5 – $12,000
1890 5c MS
Worth: $3 – $12,000
1891 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $12,500
1892 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $26,400
1893 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $16,000
1894 5c MS
Worth: $5 – $12,000
1895 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $21,500
1883 5C No Cents MS65 PCGS. CDN: $200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 5,479,519. ...
$268
1883 5C No Cents MS63 NGC. CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 5,479,519. ...
$104
1883 5C No Cents MS67 NGC. NGC Census: 88 in 67 (9 in 67+, 4 in 67*), 0 finer (12/25). CDN: $2,000 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS ...
$1,769
1883 5C No Cents MS64 PCGS. CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 5,479,519. ...
$149
1883 5C No Cents, MS66 CACG. Mintage 5,479,519....
$432
1883 5C No Cents MS62 NGC. Mintage 5,479,519. ...
$59
1883 5C Liberty Nickel No Cents -- Minor Rim Clip -- AU53 PCGS. Mintage 5,479,519....
$46
1883 5C No Cents XF45 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (1/545). Mintage 5,479,519. ...
$84
1883 5C Liberty Nickel No Cents -- Curved Clip @ 7:00 -- MS61 NGC. Mintage 5,479,519....
$74
1883 5C No Cents, Repunched Date, RPD-005, AU50 ANACS. Mintage 5,479,519.Flynn Reference and Cross Reference: No Ce...
$38
1883 5C No Cents, Repunched Date, RPD-002, AU58 ANACS. Plate. Mintage 5,479,519.Flynn Reference and Cross Reference:...
$65
1883 5c NGC XF Details (No Cents Edge Corrosion)
$28
1883 5C No Cents, Repunched Date, FS-1301 VF25 PCGS. FS-013.7). PCGS Population: (1/24). NGC Census: (0/4). VF25. ...
$48
1883 5C No Cents, Liberty Nickel -- Major Lamination -- VG8 ANACS. (4.60 grams). From The Don Bonser Erro...
$74
1883 5C No Cents, Liberty Nickel -- 5% Rolled Thin Planchet -- AU55 PCGS. ...
$99
1883 5c PCGS F Details (No Cents Environmental Damage)
$15
1883 5c PCGS AU Details (No Cents Cleaning)
$7
1883 5C No Cents VF30 NGC. NGC Census: (8/6789). PCGS Population (6/8054). Mintage: 5,479,519. Numismedia Wsl. Price for pr...
$20
1883 5C No Cents MS60 ANACS. MS 60 Details. NGC Census: (4/5470). PCGS Population (36/6330). Mintage: 5,479,519. Numism...
$21
Undated Liberty Nickel With Cents--Lamination--VF20 ICG. ...
$86
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