Price Guide for 1885 Nickel Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $55.00 – $3,594.00Uncirculated: $834.00 – $74,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $39.18 – $2,550.00Uncirculated: $1,800.00 – $9,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $200.00 – $2,850.00Uncirculated: $3,000.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $575.00 – $863.00Uncirculated: $10.50 – $17,037.50
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eBayCirculated: $329.99 – $511.00Uncirculated: $685.00 – $2,550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $700.00 – $1,025.00Uncirculated: $1,050.00 – $16,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $800.00 – $9,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,060.35 – $1,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,200.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,380.00 – $14,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,250.00 – $20,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1885 Nickel
The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel is a highly significant coin in American numismatics. It was part of the Liberty Head or V Nickel series, which was minted from 1883 to 1912. The year 1885 is particularly notable as it produced one of the key dates in the series, with an extremely low mintage that makes it highly sought after by collectors.
| Weight | 5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Liberty head facing left, designed by Charles E. Barber |
| Reverse Design | Large Roman numeral V surrounded by a wreath, designed by Charles E. Barber |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1885 Liberty Head Nickel has a profound impact on its value. Due to its low mintage and age, finding high-grade specimens is extremely challenging. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition are especially valuable, with prices increasing dramatically for grades MS65 and above.
Strike quality is particularly important for this issue, as many 1885 nickels were weakly struck. Examples with full hair details on Liberty and sharp leaf veins in the wreath command significant premiums. The presence of original mint luster also greatly enhances value.
Mintage: 1,476,490
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in high grades (MS65 and above)
Varieties Errors: No significant varieties or errors noted
Market Demand: High, due to its status as a key date and low mintage
Rarity across all grades makes the 1885 Liberty Head Nickel valuable even in circulated condition. However, problem-free examples (those without cleaning, damage, or other issues) are highly prized.
The coin’s historical significance as a key date in the series adds to its desirability. Collectors assembling complete sets of Liberty Head Nickels face a significant challenge with this date, which drives up demand and prices.
Toning can also affect value, with attractively toned specimens often commanding premiums. However, the rarity of the date typically overshadows toning considerations for this issue.
