Numismatic

1897 Liberty Head V Nickel XF

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The 1897 Liberty Head five-cent piece offers a fascinating glimpse into late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck in a base metal alloy containing no precious metal, this coin is a testament to the utility and artistry of everyday circulating currency from the pre-1933 era. This particular specimen survives in Extra Fine condition, preserving the crisp details of its engraving after more than a century. On the obverse, the design showcases a left-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a coronet or crown inscribed with her name, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date 1897 positioned below. The reverse is dominated by a large Roman numeral V, representing the five-cent denomination. This central numeral is encircled by a wreath, which is itself surrounded by the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.