Earn Over $252,000 for One of the Rarest U.S. Coins – Do You Own One?

For most coin collectors, rare and valuable coins are not only a hobby but also a good investment. One such coin recently made headlines because of its incredible value: the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. This is one of the rarest coins in U.S. history, sold recently for $252,000 USD and can potentially make you small fortunes. But how can you determine whether you own such a legendary coin? Let’s go through this remarkable coin and explain why it’s so expensive.

The Story Behind the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

This coin never officially existed under the U.S. Mint, but is a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. It is the traditional “V” on the back with the liberty head on the front, which represents five cents. It was also made to look older to be substituted by the Buffalo Nickel, which was first produced in 1913. But a few of these coins of the liberty head nickels were secretly minted by an official at the mint, probably as a test or a hobby. The coin is rare because only five were ever made, and four are known to exist today. The fifth, believed to be in private hands, has never been confirmed. This extreme rarity makes the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel one of the most coveted coins in the world.

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Why Is It Worth So Much?

Due to its rarity, the historical importance attached to it, and the mystery surrounding its production, the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is highly valued. To most collectors, it is the Holy Grail of U.S. coins. The fact that it was not produced for circulation and made in secret, probably outside the normal minting process, adds a lot to its allure.

It has never been put in circulation officially. That means that this coin has never circulated amongst the common public.Only a handful of times has it ever sold over the years, and when one of the identified ones came up for sale at an auction, it fetched an astronomical amount. As a matter of fact, one of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickels was sold at a public auction in 2004 for $3.7 million USD, which was a world record for a U.S. coin at the time.

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How to Identify a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

One rarely finds a specimen of the extremely rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel in a collection, but occasionally one turns up-and if you might have one or suspect you could have one in your collection:

1. The Design: The front of the coin features Lady Liberty, facing left, with the word “Liberty” on the band of her headpiece. The reverse features the Roman numeral “V” surrounded by “FIVE CENTS.
2. The Year: It’s important to look for the year 1913. Yet, it should be remembered that the year on some heavily circulated coins can be faded or worn out.
3. The Mintmark. Since certified Liberty Head Nickels 1913 must have been minted in the Philadelphia Mint, there is no mintmark in the coin. However, since this coin was minted beyond the regular process, a mintmark or some kind of alteration is essential in authentication.
4. Condition: The condition of the coin is what really pays the difference in prices. A near perfect, undamaged coin will always fetch a higher price than a worn-out or damaged coin.

Ways to Sell or Auction Your 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

If you believe that your coin is a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, the first order of business would be to have the coin professionally graded and authenticated by a professional numismatist. As its value is considered extremely high, you need to have it checked for authenticity prior to selling it. When graded and authenticated, you could sell or auction it via reputable auction houses, like Heritage Auctions, specializing in rare coins of the very highest values.

Is It Likely You Have One?

While the chances of finding a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel in your collection are very slim, it’s not impossible. Any coin collector should be on the lookout for rare coins, especially those that have interesting stories behind them. If you have an older nickel or other vintage coin collection, it may be worth taking some time to really look them over.

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Conclusion

Owning a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel makes you a holder of more than $252,000, or millions of dollars if you hold one of the specimens.

This is one of the rarest coins in U.S. history and, as such, a true collector’s item coveted by numismatists all over the world. Now, even if you don’t have one in the general collection of coins that you usually gather, being aware of what you should look for might just put you on the right track to finding a small fortune in your pockets or safe. After all, take another glance at your coin collection-you might just be holding one of America’s most rarest treasures of history.

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