Numismatic

1884 Liberty Head V Nickel Good

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In 1884, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a five-cent piece that would become a classic of American coinage. This copper-nickel coin, graded in Good condition, represents the early years of a design that replaced the Shield nickel and brought a new aesthetic to everyday commerce. The obverse of the coin features a left-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a coronet inscribed with her name, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date 1884 positioned at the bottom. This elegant depiction was created by Charles Barber. On the reverse, the central design element is a large Roman numeral V, which denotes the five-cent denomination. This numeral is encircled by a wreath of wheat, cotton, and corn. The legend 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and the Latin motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' frame the wreath, completing a design that remains a favorite among those exploring late nineteenth-century American currency.