U.S. Mint coin reference

1883: Liberty Head "V" Nickel (Variety 1: "No Cents" on Reverse)

Liberty V Nickel Liberty Head nickel series reference.

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Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1883

Country: United States

Denomination: Five cents

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel

Silver fineness: None

Silver weight: 0.00 oz ASW

Weight: 5.00 g

Diameter: 21.2 mm

Thickness: 1.95 mm

Edge: Plain

Designer: Charles E. Barber

Design identification

1883: Liberty Head "V" Nickel (Variety 1: "No Cents" on Reverse) history

1883: Liberty Head "V" Nickel (Variety 1: "No Cents" on Reverse) is the first Liberty Head nickel subtype and lacks the word CENTS. Its large Roman numeral V allowed altered gold-plated examples to be misrepresented as five-dollar coins.

The Mint added CENTS later in 1883, creating the second subtype. The one-year No CENTS reverse, date, plain edge, and copper-nickel composition identify the original issue.