Denver’s First Nickel: 1912-D Liberty Head Nickel in MS-66+ CAC Comes to Auction
In February 1912, the Denver Mint made nickel history.
For the first time, the facility struck a United States five-cent coin. It did so with a design already nearing its final curtain: Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head nickel. The Buffalo nickel would soon replace it. Yet, before that change came, Denver added one last western chapter to the Liberty Head series. PCGS notes that the first 1912-D nickels came off the presses on February 5, 1912, and reached Colorado circulation later that month.
Now, one of the finest certified survivors of that landmark Denver issue comes to market. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will offer a 1912-D Liberty Head Nickel graded MS-66+ by PCGS, with CAC and CMQ approval, in the June 2026 Showcase Auction, Session 2: Rarities Night Featuring the Young-Dakota Collection, Lot 2016. Live bidding begins June 16, 2026.
A Denver First, and a Liberty Head Finale
The 1912-D Liberty Head nickel carries more than a mintmark. It marks a turning point.
The Liberty Head nickel series began in 1883. Early pieces lacked the words “FIVE CENTS,” which created one of the most famous episodes in 19th-century U.S. coinage. Some opportunists gold-plated the new nickels and passed them as $5 gold pieces. The Mint soon corrected the reverse. From that point forward, the design carried the denomination more clearly.
By 1912, however, the Liberty Head nickel had reached the end of its regular-issue life. PCGS lists the series as 1883 through 1912, with the famous five 1913 Liberty Head nickels standing outside regular coinage history.
That final regular-issue year gave collectors three mintmarks to pursue: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Denver coin matters because it became the first five-cent issue coined at the Denver Mint and the only Liberty Head nickel ever produced there.
The Coin: MS-66+ With CAC and CMQ Approval
This specimen brings the kind of surface quality that separates a true condition rarity from a merely attractive survivor.
The coin shows delicate gold and powder-blue iridescence. Those colors enhance the eye appeal without overpowering the design. In addition, the strike shows bold detail, and full mint luster gives the coin the flash expected at the Superb Gem level.
The coin also carries both CAC approval and CMQ approval. CAC signals premium quality for the assigned grade. Meanwhile, CMQ, or Collectible Market Qualified, identifies coins that meet or exceed strict standards for grade and eye appeal, according to Stack’s Bowers’ CMQ program.
That combination matters. At this level, small differences become large ones. One tiny mark, a dull strike, or weak luster can separate an ordinary high-grade coin from an elite registry-caliber example.
Why High-Grade 1912-D Nickels Are Tough
The Denver Mint struck 8,474,000 1912-D Liberty Head nickels. PCGS and Greysheet both confirm that mintage, along with the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel composition, 5.00-gram weight, and 21.2 mm diameter.
At first glance, that mintage may not look especially small. Yet Mint State quality tells a different story.
Many collectors saved examples when new. As a result, the 1912-D remains available in lower Mint State grades. However, the issue becomes much more difficult above MS-65. PCGS notes that Mint State pieces often show weakness in the star radials and lower-left reverse wreath. Therefore, full luster, strong strike, and clean surfaces carry real importance.
That makes this MS-66+ example stand out. Stack’s Bowers reports a PCGS Population of 30, with three finer, all MS-67. The firm also reports a CAC Stickered Population of 17, with none finer, with that CAC total including coins certified MS-66 and MS-66+.
A Nickel From the Moment Denver Entered the Denomination
The 1912-D nickel has a powerful backstory because it sits at two crossroads.
First, it represents Denver’s entry into five-cent coinage. Second, it captures the Liberty Head nickel at the very end of its regular-issue run. In other words, this coin did not just come from a transitional year. It came from a transitional moment.
The Denver Mint had only opened for coinage in 1906. Just six years later, it struck its first nickels. Then, almost immediately, the design disappeared from regular production. The Buffalo nickel arrived in 1913 and changed the look of American pocket change.
So the 1912-D Liberty Head nickel feels like a one-year western footnote. Yet collectors know it as much more than that. It is the lone Denver Mint Liberty nickel. It is also a final-year type coin. In MS-66+ CAC CMQ, it becomes a trophy-level survivor from a denomination milestone.
Auction Details
Stack’s Bowers Galleries will feature this 1912-D Liberty Head Nickel, PCGS MS-66+ CAC CMQ, as Lot 2016 in the June 2026 Showcase Auction.
The coin appears in Session 2: Rarities Night Featuring the Young-Dakota Collection. Live bidding begins June 16, 2026.
For advanced Liberty Head nickel collectors, the appeal is clear. This coin combines a historic Denver “first,” final-year type status, premium eye appeal, and elite third-party recognition. That mix rarely appears in one five-cent piece.
Mine has 1911,need to go back & look in my books for it ..great info,Thank you!
Are you interested in buying $770 in Kennedy halves
Does your company collect Buffalo Nickels
I have the exact same nickel with the word five cents and a 1910 anybody interested let me know area code 252-886-2292
I have a lot of coins
Ive learned alot regarding the history of this nickel and its significance. I’ve collected old coinage just because I thought it was cool to think my grandparents used to use it and you never know this coin could have actually been theirs at one time. I too have a 1912 D nickel and its been circulated along with alot of other old coinage Ive collected sence I was about 10 or 11 and I really enjoyed leaning from your site and intend to return on a regular basis. Thank you so very much.
I have big collection sequence years
I have the 1912 v nickel
Where can I sell it
Depends on the condition.
This is a beautifully designed coin!
Mine 1887 and 27 buffalo
Might have that 5 cent coin from denver
Might have that liberty head nickel 1912 d
Have 1912 v nickel
Always a sharp design – I think I have a 1912 circulated in my book
I had no idea this was the first year Denver minted nickels, very cool.
I’m always amazed when coins survive in mint state. This is from a time when this nickel was a loaf of bread or a quart of milk. I found a liberty head nickel while remodeling and old grainery that was converted to apartments. I showed the owner and she thought someone placed it there and I told her who ever dropped it that nickel probably got down on hands and knees to look for it.
Cool looking coin.
Great looking Nickel!
V nickels have always been a favorite
Nice coin!!
Good coin
One would think more mint state coins would exist being the last year of this seris,
Would be nice coin to have.
Beautiful nickel that I could only dream of owning.
What always gets me is when you’re used to seeing the average V nickel, and then you see one in this condition. They are beautiful coins, but you’d never know it until you’ve seen one like this.
Nice coin is very nice condition for being over 100 years old! Thanks for the article and history on the coin I enjoy reading them.
Beautiful coin!!
What a beautiful coin!
I have been on a tour of the Denver Mint and loved this article about its history. Thank you for this wonderful information.
nice looking coin
Gotta love a 5 cent coin!
Very nice coin.
Thanks for the interesting article! It’s definitely a history piece, being the first nickel that Denver ever minted. As far as the Denver Mint goes, they made some interesting, valuable coins: The 1907-D Double Eagle (Proof/Specimen), the 1914-D Lincoln Cent, the 1916-D Mercury Dime,
the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ($20 gold coin), and the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel.
Beautiful 1912 coin
great story very interesting
What a beautiful coin!
Higher grade Liberty nickels are truly beautiful coins. This one has a lot of historical significance to go along with the high grade!
I would love to find a 1913 v-nickel around Philadelphia, Pa when I was metal detecting when I was working PA. for last 20 years. THAT WOULD BE WIN FALL.
Great article. Thanks.
I’m always impressed at the crisp sharpness of these old coins. This nickel is stunning. It looks like it was just minted.
Very cool
I have a v nickel that appears to be a 1886 I have not cleaned it thoroughly and not sure how but the 18 part is clear,maybe misprint,it is for sale thkugh
I just posted about v nickel,appears to be 1886
I have one of these coins and might want to sell it