Price Guide for 1909 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: $7.00 – $184.00Uncirculated: $59.00 – $7,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.80 – $866.55Uncirculated: $16.50 – $1,147.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10.00 – $110.00Uncirculated: $120.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $242.00 – $546.00Uncirculated: $1.50 – $14,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $150.00 – $6,888.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $150.00 – $225.00Uncirculated: $250.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $247.00 – $34,075.00
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eBayUncirculated: $305.00 – $997.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $604.00 – $24,675.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,250.00 – $27,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1909 Nickel
The 1909 Liberty Head (V) Nickel represents the penultimate year of this classic design, which had been in production since 1883. This coin holds significance as it was minted during a transitional period in American coinage, just before the introduction of the Buffalo Nickel in 1913.
The Liberty Head design, created by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, features Lady Liberty on the obverse and a wreath with the Roman numeral V (five) on the reverse, giving rise to its nickname, the ‘V Nickel’.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Liberty Head (V Nickel), designed by Charles E. Barber |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding the denomination, designed by Charles E. Barber |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1909 Liberty Head Nickels significantly impacts their value. Coins in circulated conditions are relatively common and affordable. However, specimens in Uncirculated (MS) grades, particularly MS65 and above, are scarce and highly valued.
Full strike details, especially on the reverse wreath, and lustrous surfaces are crucial for high-grade examples. The San Francisco mint coins are generally more valuable in all grades due to their lower mintage.
Mintage: 11,590,526
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, as part of the Liberty Head series
Mintage: 1,938,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to lower mintage and better preservation
Toning can play a significant role in a coin’s desirability. Nicely toned specimens with attractive, natural color can command premiums over typical examples.
The 1909 Nickel is also popular among type set collectors as a representative of the Liberty Head design. Well-preserved examples with sharp details and minimal contact marks are particularly sought after for this purpose.
As one of the last years of the series, the 1909 Nickel holds historical interest, which can increase its appeal to collectors focusing on transitional periods in U.S. coinage.
