Liberty nickels...?

[republican-migration]

I am collecting them and am wondering what ones you think would me good to add to my collection. I know it was a short series of coins but am wondering what ones you would recommend me going after.

[spy88]

Of the 30 year span, there are/were 33 different Libs to be had. If you stick to a grade of around MS60, all should be available for less then around $5000.

 

That is, with the exception of the 1913. Only 5 known as of my '03 Red Book and one sold @ auction in 2001 for $1.8+ Mill.

[Rehit]

i have a new one...

it has a small nick in the rim but other than that i can find no other marks.

i stiill am to green to try and assign a grade.

here are som pictures (not very good).

i will let you guys take a stab at the grade.

[jtryka]

I have a couple of type coins that are slabbed and unc, but most of mine are lower grade circ coins in my whitman folder. In G or better, they are pretty cheap, most just a few dollars. I still need 8 more to fill my book (not including the 1913, and yes, my whitman has a space for it but there is a cardboard cutout over it that say "Rare" - Duh).

[TJ]

I have dug up three from the ground, for what that's worth.

[ms66quarters]

,

 

As they say with any serie's....get the key's first

 

The 1885, 1886 and the 1912-S

 

If your looking at grade's above fine.....plan on having some cash

 

 

Rob

[republican-migration]

,

 

As they say with any serie's....get the key's first

 

The 1885, 1886 and the 1912-S

 

If your looking at grade's above fine.....plan on having some cash

 

 

Rob

 

Actually I just realized I have a 1886. But is it worth anything in About good condition? Maybe less.

[republican-migration]

i have a new one...

it has a small nick in the rim but other than that i can find no other marks.

i stiill am to green to try and assign a grade.

here are som pictures (not very good).

i will let you guys take a stab at the grade.

 

I would guess a AU maybe XF. Pretty good coin though.

[CarlWohlforth]

I like Liberty Nickels too. As a type collector I put two of them in my collection. The 1883 No Cents and a common date coin. Since I only wanted common coins and only two of them I was able to afford a higher grade.

 

The rim nick on that 1912 is pretty distracting to me. There also appear to be some hairlines on the reverse. Perhaps it has been cleaned?

[republican-migration]

I like Liberty Nickels too. As a type collector I put two of them in my collection. The 1883 No Cents and a common date coin. Since I only wanted common coins and only two of them I was able to afford a higher grade.

 

The rim nick on that 1912 is pretty distracting to me. There also appear to be some hairlines on the reverse. Perhaps it has been cleaned?

 

I didnt even see the rim damage. And I was wondering what those scratches where, it has definitetly been cleaned.

[Rehit]

looking at it with a triplet 10X there really are not any scratches per say on the reverse.

i think that is just my poor camera skills, and the fact it was in the flip when i took that picture.

i am in the process of setting up lights and a tripod to take what i hope to be high quality picturse of coins.

whether it has been cleaned or not, i am willing to rely on your opinion.

the coin will never be sent out be slabbed, i just collect coins because i think they are pretty.

i have actually purchased coins from some of you.

it was purchased with advice i have obtained from coming here.

i liked the way it looked, and i could afford it.

i certainly cannot afford one in a high grade state.

 

[Elcontador]

Not many people collect them because most coins in this series are ugly (the only series which comes to mind that is worse is the Shield Nickel). Key dates are mentioned in an earlier post.

 

If you want to collect the set, decide whether you want MS or PF coins. The circulated coins I don't believe are hard to grade and shouldn't be hard to find. However, IMO, most Nickels are not attractive unless they have some mint luster, and with this series, the luster is typically flat to horribly dull, until you get to grades like MS 64 and above.

 

Even in MS or PF 64 & 5, many of these coins have the unattractive infamous "urine-colored" toning. Carbon can be a problem, and sometimes even supergrade coins are either weakly struck or have IMO too many contact marks for the grade.

 

All of the above being said, I sincerely believe that an attractive Liberty Nickel is one of the most beautiful type coins around. Forget sheet and trend prices on these pieces, as they are scarce. For this reason, many people look for a Liberty Nickel (PF or MS) as a type coin, rather than trying to complete the set. Look at LOTS of them before making a purchase. Be patient. Buy the coin, not the holder, and expect to pay a premium.