Numismatic

1889 Liberty Head V Nickel Fine

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In 1889, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a five-cent piece that remains a classic representative of late nineteenth-century American coinage. This Liberty Head nickel, preserved in Fine condition, showcases the artistry of Charles Barber, who created both the obverse and reverse designs for this long-running series. The obverse of the coin features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, who wears a crown inscribed with her own name. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, representing the original colonies, with the date 1889 positioned at the bottom. On the reverse, the central focus is a large Roman numeral V, denoting the five-cent denomination. This numeral is framed by a wreath of cotton and wheat, which is itself surrounded by the legend declaring the nation of origin and the traditional motto, E Pluribus Unum.