The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
The 1888 Liberty Nickel is of relatively average scarcity for the series and is actually very popular among the 1880's dates. Common through MS65 which is fairly tough in its own right. High-end gems are rare. Especially those without spotting and full striking.
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: Although the 1888 is not generally considered to be a scarce date, at the choice and gem Mint State levels quality can be a big problem. Finding a sharply struck coin with rich luster and good eye appeal is not easy to do.
Proofs are plentiful enough, but many have problems, such as planchet roughness and dull surfaces.
CIRCULATION STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: Striking varies in sharpness. Luster is often unsatisfactory as a result of overly long use of the dies. 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 86 obverse dies made for this year, equating to 125,000 impressions per die, if all were used, which may have approximated actuality. When dies were used for long stretches, a deterioration of quality resulted.
PROOF STRIKES:
Characteristics and Appearance: Often somewhat dull and unattractive. Walter Breen suggests that the metal alloy was not standard, perhaps with a di!erent crystalline struc- ture that did not take a mirror surface well. Many 1889 Proofs are similar. Some have lightness on the ear of corn to the left of the ribbon bow on the reverse.
Mintage and Distribution Notes: At least two or three obverse dies were used.
Catalog Information
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1888-five-cents-liberty-v-nickel/gsid/2953 GSID: 2953 Title: 1888 5c MS
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Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$11,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $7,500 | $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 |
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