By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The Philadelphia Mint struck over 1.472 million 1885 Liberty Head Nickels. Because of the influx of nickels being returned to the Treasury Department, production of the denomination was halted in March of that year, resulting in the low mintage. The 1885 is key to the series and scarce in Mint State.
Some examples have a large die crack that runs from the rim above star one through the 188 in the date. Some have a die crack that runs from the top of star four to the bottom of star five, through Liberty’s hair and diadem, and ending at star seven. The reverse can show a die crack through F AM.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Top Population: PCGS MS67 (8, 8/2024). NGC MS67 (2, 8/2024). CAC MS67 (1:1 stickered:graded, 8/2024).
When Gloria Peters and Cynthia Mohon published their Complete Guide to Shield & Liberty Head Nickels in 1995, there were no MS67 examples of the 1885 Liberty Head Nickel certified by either of the leading grading services.
The PCGS population MS67 population has increased from two to eight since 2006. Subsequently, at this top pop grade, auction prices realized have fallen by over 70%.
- CACG MS67 #212049737: As PCGS MS67 #24082440. Del Loy Hansen; As CACG MS67 #212049737. DLRC, August 15, 2024, Lot 781251 – View. Splash gold goldenrod toning across Liberty’s face. Spot between stars 8 and 9. Nice coin.
- PCGS MS67 #38257565: Stack’s Bowers, November 14, 2023, Lot 3017 – $19,800. Three raised die bumps to the right of star 7. Die crack running from star 4 to Liberty’s forehead. Die line extending from the left top of the wreath. Darkly toned.
- PCGS MS67: “The Dale Friend Collection,” American Numismatic Rarities, March 14, 2006, Lot 292 – $74,750. Rose and blue toning. Pop 2 at the time of sale.
- CACG MS66+ CMQ #604195319: Lester Merkin, April 1972, Lot 220; As PCGS MS-66 CAC #46666965. “The Jeromse S. Reznick Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, August 2023, Lot 6167 – $10,800; As CACG MS-66+ CMQ #604195319. Stack’s Bowers, March 26, 2024, Lot 4045 – View. Virtually mark free obverse. Smashed obverse die with myriad large die cracks. A number of minor vertical marks on the reverse, one large one to the left of V. Large die crack through CENTS.
- PCGS MS66+ CAC #81767018: Stack’s Bowers, November 14, 2019, Lot 3039 – $10,800.
- PCGS MS66+ #35690005: Stack’s Bowers, August 15, 2018, Lot 1095 – $9,000.
- PCGS MS66 CAC #46666965: Lester Merkin, April 1972, Lot 220; “The James S. Reznick Collection”, Stack’s Bowers, August 18, 2023, Lot 6167 – $10,800.
- PCGS MS66 #29639399: Stack’s Bowers, June 22, 2018, Lot 1190 – $10,200.
- PCGS MS66 #25662060: Stack’s Bowers, November 2015, Lot 20016 – $10,575.
- PCGS MS66: Stack’s Bowers, January 22, 2013, Lot 13132 – $21,150. Goldenrod hue.
- PCGS MS66: “The Greenbrier River Collection”, Stack’s Bowers, August 7, 2012, Lot 11258 – $40,000 Reserve Not Met. Rattler, die crack from rim to star 1 through tip of bust through 188 of date to rim. Through NTS of CENTS.
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1885 Liberty Head Nickel Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 1885 |
| Denomination: | Five Cents (USD) |
| Mintmark: | None (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 1,472,700 |
| Alloy: | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel |
| Weight: | 5.0 g |
| Diameter: | 21.2 mm |
| Edge: | Plain |
| OBV Designer: | Charles E. Barber |
| REV Designer: | Charles E. Barber |
| Quality: | Business Strike |
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