Numismatic

1887 Liberty Head V Nickel AG

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The 1887 Liberty Head five-cent piece offers a fascinating glimpse into late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this base-metal coin contains no precious metal, yet it carries a powerful visual presence designed by Charles Barber. The obverse features a classic portrait of Liberty, who wears a crown upon her head, facing left. The year 1887 is clearly struck at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, the coin features a prominent Roman numeral V, representing its five-cent denomination. This central symbol is encircled by a decorative wreath, which is itself encompassed by the traditional national motto, E Pluribus Unum, and the country name. This particular specimen is preserved in Almost Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that actively circulated through the hands of everyday Americans during the Gilded Age.