1913 Liberty Head Nickel

1913 Liberty Head Nickel – The Million-Dollar Mystery Coin

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous and valuable coins in American numismatic history. With only five known examples, this coin is considered one of the rarest and most mysterious U.S. coins ever minted. It has captured the imagination of collectors for over a century, with some specimens selling for millions of dollars at auction.

History and Mystery of the 1913 Liberty Nickel

The Liberty Head Nickel design was used from 1883 to 1912, featuring a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a large Roman numeral “V” (representing 5 cents) on the reverse. However, the U.S. Mint officially switched to the Buffalo Nickel design in 1913—meaning that no Liberty Head Nickels should have been produced that year.

Yet, five 1913 Liberty Nickels exist. How?

The leading theory is that a rogue mint employee at the Philadelphia Mint struck a small number of these coins, likely as trial strikes or unofficial test pieces before the Buffalo Nickel dies were introduced.

The Five Known 1913 Liberty Head Nickels

These five coins remained hidden until 1920 when they were displayed by collector Samuel Brown at a coin convention. Since then, they have been highly sought after, each with its legendary history:

1. Eliasberg Specimen – The finest known example, graded PCGS PR66, once part of the famous Eliasberg Collection. Sold for $5 million in 2007.
2. Norweb Specimen – Now housed in the Smithsonian Institution.
3. McDermott Specimen – The only worn example, graded VF35, once carried in a dealer’s pocket for years. Now at the ANA Money Museum.
4. Walton Specimen – Thought to be lost for decades, rediscovered in 2003. Sold for $3.1 million in 2013.
5. Olsen Specimen – Featured on television shows like Hawaii Five-O, once owned by King Farouk of Egypt. Sold for $3.7 million in 2010.

Why Is It So Valuable?

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is a “Holy Grail” coin due to:

• Its Extreme Rarity – With only five known, demand far exceeds supply.
• Its Mysterious Origins – The coin’s existence remains unexplained, adding to its mystique.
• Its Auction Record – Sales regularly reach millions of dollars, making it a blue-chip investment in the numismatic world.

Value and Investment Potential

If a sixth specimen were ever discovered, it would likely be worth over $10 million today. Even well-documented examples continue to rise in value, making this coin one of the most valuable and iconic rarities in U.S. coinage history.

Conclusion

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is more than just a rare coin—it’s a legendary artifact of American numismatics, shrouded in mystery and worth a fortune. For collectors, it represents the ultimate dream coin, proving that numismatics is full of surprises, intrigue, and extraordinary value.