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Only the 1912-S beats out the 1885 V Nickel for the lowest mintage in this series. An extremely small fraction of the original mintage, of almost 1.5 million, have survived. Scarce as an circulated coin and gradually even more tough in Mint State. Gems become truly rare.
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: Among regular-issue Liberty Head nickels, the 1885 is the key date—the date that everyone sought when collecting nickels from circulation became popular, beginning with Wayte Raymond’s “National” albums, Whitman boards, and other convenient holders that became available in the 1930’s. In that long-ago era, nickels of this design were plentiful in the channels of commerce, but those of 1885 were elusive due to their low mintage. Even so, many thousands were fished out of pocket change and elsewhere, most of these being well worn, down to grades that we call Good and Very Good today.
The numismatic community ignored the freshly minted circulation strikes of 1885. Those who collected by dates simply bought Proofs. Because of this, the survival of Mint State coins was a matter of rare chance, while the 3,790 Proofs were sold at a premium and were prized by their recipients.
Today, the 1885 nickel remains scarce in worn grades, rare in Mint State, but generally available in Proof format. The emphasis years ago on key dates has been eclipsed in recent decades by focus on the grade alone. Remarkably, today a Proof 1885 can be acquired at only a modest advance over a date that is more plentiful (in terms of overall mintage—Proofs plus circulation strikes). This is a change from the comment by Peters and Mohon in 1995, “Date pressure, due to the rarity of the business strike, keeps the price of Proofs at an unrealistic level for its rarity.”
A sharply struck gem Mint State 1885 nickel is a great find for the knowing connoisseur. Some Mint State coins, even certified as MS-65 or 66, have several obverse stars flat. In the meantime, Proofs handily fill the need of most buyers who seek high-grade examples of this prized date. The market price for Proofs seems to be taking a nap.
CIRCULATION STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: Striking varies but is usually quite good, though some have several obverse stars flat at their centers. Some early strikes from fresh dies show parallel striae. The mint luster on some Uncirculated coins is satiny and attractive, while on others it is lifeless. Some have slightly prooflike surfaces. These are more available than those with deep, frosty luster.
Mint records indicate that in January 1886, for circulation-strike nickels of 1885, 29 obverse and 23 reverse dies were destroyed.2 If 29 obverse dies were actually used, this equates to an average of about 51,000 impressions per die. This was probably about the upper range of optimal use for the time, without creating surface problems.
Mintage and Distribution Notes: This represented the nadir of demand for the nickel five-cent piece during the early era of Liberty Head coinage. The slump, resulting from a nationwide economic chill, lasted until autumn 1886. Historian Neil Carothers commented,
Progress in metallurgy and mint processes eliminated the difficulties in coining nickel, and the attractive color and fine wearing qualities of the alloy made it a popular coinage material. After 1885 the mints had difficulty in keeping up with the demand. The street railway, the cheap cigar, the “notions counter,” sale of toys, candies, gum, cigarettes, and soda waters requiring payments of 5, 10, or 15 cents very rapidly increased.3
PROOF STRIKES
Characteristics and Appearance: Quality of striking varies, and some show weak- ness. Most, however, are fairly sharp. The Numismatist, April 1951, included a letter from Robert Scott, of Aurora, Illinois, noting that his “1885 Liberty Nickel in brilliant Proof condition . . . has a sizeable die break on the obverse side through the hair and out to the edge of the coin, at about 2:00 as for position.”
Mintage and Distribution Notes: Most examples show the 1 in the date very close to Liberty’s neck; fewer show the 1 distinctly separated with an area of Proof field. The 1885 nickel is justly advertised as a rare date in an overall context, but among Proofs it is one of the more plentiful coins in the series. Mint records indicate that in January 1886, for Proof nickels of 1885, one obverse and one reverse die were destroyed.4
Catalog Information
GSID:
2950
Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Obverse Designer:
Charles Barber
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1885
Reverse Designer:
Charles Barber
Reverse Lettering:
V, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, CENTS
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1885
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,472,700
Coinage Type:
Liberty head nickel
Coinage Years:
1883-1912
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
3846
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Coin Value History
1885 5c MS
Value By Grade
1885 5c 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 |
|
$31,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $25,000 | $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 |
| AG2 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG2 | - | $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
1883 5c No Cents MS
Worth: $3 – $2,500
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
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
1885 5C XF40 ANACS. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$1,129
1885 5C AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: 77 in 58 (1 in 58+), 385 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,750 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Minta...
$2,044
1885 5C MS62 PCGS. CAC. ...
$3,538
1885 5C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: 77 in 55, 462 finer (12/25). CDN: $1,500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 1,476,49...
$1,800
1885 5C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: 97 in 12, 1008 finer (11/25). CDN: $600 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mintage 1,4...
$630
1885 5C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 74 in 15, 934 finer (11/25). CDN: $700 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage 1,47...
$750
1885 5C -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. MS60 Details. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$1,920
1885 5C MS65 PCGS....
$6,300
1885 5C Fair 2 PCGS. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$114
1885 5C VG10 PCGS. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$540
1885 5C Good 6 PCGS. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$336
1885 5C XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (68/573). Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$1,680
1885 5C VG8 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (12/189). Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$602
1885 5C AG3 NGC. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$234
1885 5C MS63 PCGS. The 1885 Liberty nickel is a very popular key date having the second lowest mintage of the series. Only ...
$3,840
1885 5C VF20 PCGS. PCGS Population: (42/850). Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$960
1885 5C Good 4 NGC. Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$288
1885 5C MS66+ PCGS....
$10,200
1885 5C MS64 PCGS....
$5,040
1885 5C Poor 1 PCGS. PCGS Population: (14/2048). NGC Census: (15/1148). Mintage 1,476,490. ...
$134
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