1909 V-Nickel

The V-Nickel is an iconic piece of American coinage that was produced during the late 19th, early 20th century. Nowadays, these coins are particularly popular amongst collectors and are constantly sought after. Something interesting about the 1909 V-Nickel is that it was produced in three different varieties, each with their own appeal and value.

For collectors, no matter what variety of 1909 V-Nickel you acquire, it goes without saying that you desire a coin that is in excellent condition. Because these coins were produced about a century ago, not many have survived the years in great shape, which is why collectors are willing to pay top-dollar for a Nickel that has been well-preserved.

Grading the 1909 V-Nickel

For any type of coin that was minted decades earlier, you have to pay close attention to the coin’s physical condition. Even though a coin in poor or even lousy condition can have some collectible value, coin collectors normally focus their efforts on coins in tip-top shape. Finding coins that remain in great condition can prove challenging, however, especially as the coin gets older.

When you are looking at a coin, the idea is to get an idea of how that coin might be judged by a professional numismatist. You can use the brief guide below to get an idea of what a V-Nickel may look like in various states.

Uncirculated: Uncirculated coins are often the target for the serious coin collector. These coins have never been used for any type of exchange and have not been handled. They are in near-pristine condition, with their original details and sometimes even original luster fully intact and clean. These coins will appear as if they were freshly minted, and it may hard to believe that they are decades old.

Extremely Fine: The next best thing for a coin collector is a coin in extremely fine condition. These coins appear at a glance to be brand new, and one will likely not notice any scratches or defects. Under a closer inspection, however, these coins may have extremely minor blemishes.

Fine: Coins that are assigned a grade of fine have seen their share of action over the years. These coins have likely been a part of millions of transactions, and have surface damage from use. The coin’s images and details should still be robust enough to clearly identify, however.

Good: Most of the V-Nickels and other coins of any age on the market today would likely be assigned a grade of good. These coins have clearly seen lots of action, and they may have serious defects such as deep scratches, dents or discoloration. Coin collectors may simply avoid coins in this condition in favor of coins in extremely fine or uncirculated condition.

Pricing the 1909 V-Nickel

If you want to get an idea of what your coin might be worth on the open market, consider the coin’s physical condition. Coins that are in superior condition may have significantly higher value than similar coins in poor or even good condition. The chart below will give you a good idea of what these coins may trade for today based on the condition.

V-Nickels

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1909 V Nickel	$3	$5	$32	$70
Source: Red Book