1896 V-Nickel

The V (Liberty) Nickel mintages occurred in relatively high numbers, aside from a few years. The V-Nickels, minted in Philadelphia, were struck with a mintage of 10 million or greater, with a few notable exceptions. One of those exceptions, the 1896 which minted a little under 9 million coins.

No matter what type of collector you are, it goes without saying that every collector aspires to find a coin in the most well-preserved condition. With that, however, you have to understand that some of the finest coins go for prices that you would have never guessed would be attached to the purchase of a Nickel.

Grading the 1896 V-Nickel

For coins that have been around as long as the V five-cent piece, you must focus on the coin’s overall condition. While coins may be valuable in any condition, it is typically only coins that look pristine that are highly coveted by coin collectors. Finding coins in this condition is not easy, however, given the amount of time these coins have been produced.

When you are inspecting a coin’s condition, you are in essence trying to figure out how that coin may be graded. While actual coin grades are assigned by professional coin grading companies, you can use the guidelines below to get a good idea of how a graded V-Nickel may present itself.

Uncirculated: This is the condition that serious coin collectors are looking to acquire and add to their portfolios. Because these coins have never been used in circulation, they may have little to no damage or signs of wear and tear. These coins will, in fact, appear to be brand new, and will look as if they were just rolled from the mint’s presses the same day.

Extremely Fine: Coins in extremely fine condition may also be sought after by collectors. These coins will, however, display some very minor damage to surfaces or details. In fact, it is only under a very close visual inspection that one might see the coin’s blemishes or damage. To be assigned this grade, the coin will look to be in near-pristine condition.

Fine: Coins that are assigned a grade of fine are typically coins that have been used in circulation for a period of time. These coins will have damage to surfaces or details, although the coin s images and text will remain relatively clear and robust.

Good: Most of the V-Nickels on the market today are said to be in good condition. These coins have exchanged hands countless times over many decades, and will have obvious signs of wear and tear or significant damage. Collectors may shy away from coins in good condition in favor of coins in extremely fine or uncirculated condition.

Pricing the 1896 V-Nickel

To determine an accurate price for a 1896 V-Nickel, you must first determine the type of nickel it is. The coin’s condition will play a role in the coin’s value. Coins in great to excellent condition may sell for much more than similar coins in fine or good condition. The chart below will help you get a good idea of what you may expect to pay for different types of this coin in various conditions.

V-Nickels

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1896 V Nickel	$9	$35	$90	$150
Source: Red Book