1911 Nickel Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
Do you have a 1911 V Nickel? The Liberty Head nickel also known as V nickel is definitely one of the most attractive coins due to its intricate and unique design.
However, does it have any value? The value of a coin is affected by several factors, such as the mintage number, condition, special designations, metal composition, and others. Although to some 1911 might appear as a silver coin, it is made of an alloy, which devalues it!
On the other hand, there are some varieties of 1911 coins that can be worth several thousand! Let’s check those out!
1911 Nickel Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1911 No Mint Mark Nickel Value | $0.50 | $0.80 | $1-$2 | $4 or higher |
| 1984 S Proof Half Dollar Value | / | / | / | $6 or higher |
1911 Nickel No Mint Mark Value
The V Nickel is a five-cent coin that was minted from 1883 to 1912, although a couple of pieces were minted secretly in 1913. This coin replaced the Shield nickel produced from 1866 to 1883 and was known for having various production problems.
In 1880, the US Mint initiated the plan to replace the problematic coin. The task to create the new designs for the nickel was given to sixth Chief Engraver Charles Barber, who was known for having done various coin and medal designs.
The production of the coins began on January 1883, and there are several interesting facts about the production of the 1911 V Nickel.
Interestingly, these coins were one of the most popular and were heavily used in the 20th century, especially in the 40s’ and 50s’ when the country experienced an economic boom.
The demand for these coins was so heavy that the US Mint tirelessly produced the V nickels and still could not satisfy the demand.
Also, at the time, according to the law, nickels and cents could only be minted in Philadelphia. The US Mint officials had been advising in their annual reports that nickels and cents should be minted in Denver and San Francisco to maximize the production.
In 1906 the law was changed and the US Mint received the green light to coin nickels and cents in other mints. Although the law was passed in 1906, the first V nickels with an “S” and a “D” mint mark appeared in 1912.
As noted, Charles Barber did the obverse and reverse design; the obverse featured the wonderful side profile or face profile of Lady Liberty, facing left. The design was based on the Greco-Roman marble sculpture.
Lady Liberty is shown wearing a coronet and encircled by the 13 stars struck alongside the rim. The 13 stars represent the original 13 colonies. At the lower rim, the mintage date is struck as “1911”.
The reverse has one of the most intricate and fascinating designs. It depicts a large Roman numeral “V” (number five) in the coin’s center, surrounded by a wreath made of cotton, wheat, and corn.
Above the wreath is the American motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” translating to “Out of many, one.” The capitalized inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is struck alongside the rim, encircling the “V” numeral and the wreath.
On the lower rim of the coin is the inscription “CENTS.” The Roman numeral “V” and the “CENTS” designates the denomination of the coin (five cents). The metal composition of the 1911 V nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel.
The weight is 5 grams (0.18 oz), while the diameter is 21.20 millimeters (0.835 inches). The edge is plain, and the coin is round. The face value of the 1911 nickel is five cents or $0.05.The coin’s size and weight were changed several times to facilitate better and more effective use.
The 1911 V nickels do not have a mint mark, as most coins minted before 1980 in Philadelphia were coined without the mint mark. The total mintage of the 1911 nickel is around 39,561,105, including the proofs.
Although, compared to the mintages of other coins, this might not seem like a huge number, at the time of production it was, meaning that many can be easily found today.
Most of the available 1911 V nickels are in bad shape because most circulated heavily and have visible tears and damage. Some of the coins are barely recognizable due to heavy circulation.
However, considering these nickels were produced over 100 years ago, the specimens in good condition are very hard to find. 1971 No Mint Mark nickel in poor condition can cost $1 to $2.
In good condition to extra fine condition, the price range is between $2 and $35, according to the USA Coin Book. 1971 No Mint Mark nickel in fine condition costs between $10 and $15.
In AU or about a circulated grade, 1971 No Mint Mark is worth around $70. If you are unsure what ‘about circulated’ means, the grade is given to the coins that have minimal traces of wear at the highest points of the coin.
Besides these, the AU coin does not have other signs of use, and at least half of the original luster is kept. As mentioned, these coins are rare in uncirculated or mint states; therefore, they are more expensive.
In MS 60, 1971 No Mint Mark nickel is worth between $60 and $90, according to the USA Coin Book. In higher mint states, such as MS 64, 1971 No Mint Mark nickel can reach the price of $144.
Although, according to the Professional Coin Grading, several specimens of 1911 No Mint Mark nickel in MS 63 were sold in the price range of $110 to $216. In MS 65, 1911 No Mint Mark nickel can cost between $250 and $350; if the coin is graded MS 65+, the price can go up to $500.
The most attractive and rarest are the 1911 nickels in MS 67, which is the highest reported grade for these nickels. The price range for the 1911 nickel without the mint mark in MS 67 ranges between $5,000 and $10,000.
The auction record for the 1911 nickel in this mint state was set in 2015 at the Legend Rare Coin Auction- the passionate collector paid $14,688 for the nickel.
1911 Proof Nickel Value
As noted, the Philadelphia Mint also struck a limited number of proof nickels in 1911- only 1,733 pieces. The proof coins are usually the most attractive pieces, and collectors like to have them because they have excellent, sharp details, high-quality strikes, and shiny luster.
Furthermore, the total mintage number of the proof is always significantly fewer than the regular strike coins, and the reason is simple. These coins are not meant for circulation but for archival purposes and to check the working dies.
Also, they are considered the highest quality commemorative coins. Now, the US Mint usually produces more proof coins, especially for collectors. Also, the proof coins are graded on the Sheldon scale, like regular coins.
They are assigned grades from 60 through, and these coins are designated PR or PF to differentiate them from the regular ones.
So, the 1911 proof nickel in PR 63 is worth between $180 and $380. In PR 65, the 1911 proof nickel can cost between $250 and $410.
In PR 66, expect to pay between $360 and $760. The rarest and most attractive is the 1911 proof nickel in PR67, PR 67+, or PR 68. The 1911 proof nickel in PR 68 was sold for $6,000 while the auction record for the 1911 nickel is $6,100, and interestingly, the coin was in lower grade, PR 67+.
1911 Nickel Grading
One of the most common questions asked by new collectors or even those who have been doing it for a while is how to grade coins! The numerical grades are assigned to coins depending on their condition and can also have special designations.
1911 Nickel Rare Error List
During the production of the V nickels in 1911, the US Mint made several errors, some of which are rare and very valuable! Let’s check how these errors change the price and what you should look for!
1911 Nickel Lamination Error
First, what is a lamination error? Lamination or planchet errors occur when the coin’s surface breaks or flakes. This happens either due to a defective planchet or the contaminants in the alloy causing the metal to break off or separate.
These errors are very common and hence do not contribute great value to coins in general. The 1911 nickel with this error can reach a price between $8 and $10. Also, remember that the coin’s condition is very important.
If your coin has a valuable error but is in poor condition, that will not change the price.
1911 Nickel Strike Error
Strike error is a term used to cover types of defects that happen in the striking process. As you already know, striking is a vital step in coin production, and often various errors happen in this phase. One of the errors includes broad strikes and off-centers.
However, these coins are rare, and you will find only a few online. Depending on the condition of the 1911 nickel, it can be worth between $20 and $50.
1911 Nickel Double Die Date Lamination Error
Sometimes a coin has more than one error or a combination of defects, such as the double die date lamination error. As noted, lamination happens when the metal flakes start separating from the planchet used to strike the coin, resulting in cracks and irregularities.
The double die error refers to the duplication of elements of the coin. Not many of the 1911 coins have this particular error. There is one specimen of 1911 with this error on sale on USA Coin Book, and the current price is $89. Also, the coin has a “G” grade, which stands for good condition.
If you are familiar with the grading system, the “G” grade is not particularly sought-after, and collectors will buy the coin in this grade only if it is very rare. So, this error is pretty valuable, considering that a coin with such a low grade costs nearly $90.
1911 Nickel FAQ
Is a nickel from 1911 worth anything?
In circulated conditions, the price of the 1911 nickel ranges between $2 and $50, depending on the condition. Pieces in some high-mint states can cost several thousand, and the price range is between $5,000 and $10,000.
According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), 1911 No Mint Mark nickel was sold for $8,400 in 2017.
What is a 1911 nickel made of?
Despite its appearance, which throws many people off, the V nickel is made of copper and nickel and not silver. The metal composition is 75% and 25% nickel.
Who is on the 1911 nickel?
The 1911 V nickel features the image of Lady Liberty on the obverse. The first coin to highlight a real person is the 1909 Lincoln cent.
Are old V nickels worth anything?
The value of any coin, including the 1911 V nickel, depends on its condition, mintage date, rarity, presence of errors, and other factors. The most interesting date in the V Nickels series minted is 1885.
The 1885 Liberty Head nickels are the most attractive because they are rare and expensive. The total mintage number is very low, and these coins in circulated condition can be worth around $200. In mint state, the 1885 V nickel can cost around $25,000.
Where is the mint mark on a 1911 nickel?
This is one of the common questions because most of the coins, regardless of the type, include varieties with mint marks such as a “D” and an “S,” which indicate where the coin was minted.
However, considering that the 1911 nickel was only coined in Philadelphia, you will not find the mint mark on these nickels.
On the other hand, the 1912 V nickels were produced in San Francisco and Denver. Therefore, these coins have the corresponding mint mark, which is located on the obverse under the dot, separating the inscription “UNITED” and the denomination.
