Name: 1889 5c PR CAM
SKU: 3004

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The 1889 Liberty V Nickel comes from a moderate mintage for the series, of 3,336, keeping it in type coin territory. Common without cameo designations except for the finest of gems. Cameo coins are much more rare with deep cameos non-existent.

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 * CENTS * around the periphery. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM appears near the top between the wreath and letters STATES OF AME.

Book Reference

Key to Collecting: The 1889 nickel is plentiful in most grades up to and including Mint State. However, once again quality can be a challenge. The good news here, and for other years, is that most buyers don’t notice sharpness of strike or eye appeal, leaving the choice pieces for you! Proofs vary in quality, but the mintage was large enough that you will find a choice example without difficulty.

CIRCULATION STRIKES:

Characteristics and Appearance: Sharpness and luster vary, but choice pieces with good eye appeal are definitely scarce. The date logotype used on all dies (circulation strikes and Proofs) has the 1 too high in relation to the curved baseline of the following three digits, this being characteristic of other years in the 1886 to 1889 era. There were 134 obverse dies made for this year, equating to 118,000 impressions per die, if all were used—compare this to earlier issues. The increase in impressions per die created many coins with surfaces showing metal flow or pebbly characteristics. Light striking of certain areas is common for this year.

PROOF STRIKES:

Characteristics and Appearance: Proofs are usually well struck with Full Details. Surfaces sometimes are dull, grainy, and lifeless, as with 1888 Proofs. Others have sat- iny, somewhat lustrous surfaces reminiscent of a gem Mint State coin.