1902 Liberty Head Nickel Value
In the current market, a 1902 Liberty Head Nickel changes hands for roughly $0.10 at the low end and $38.00 at the top. Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.
1902 Liberty Head Nickel value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $0.10 to $0.15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.10 to $0.20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.20 to $0.35 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.40 to $0.70 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.80 to $1.35 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $3.20 to $5.40 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $7.20 to $12.00 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $22.50 to $38.00 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-13. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
What is a 1902 Liberty Head Nickel worth right now?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1902 Liberty Head Nickel starts around $0.10. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $38.00. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1902 Liberty Head Nickel specifications
- Series
- Liberty Head Nickel
- Year
- 1902
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Charles E. Barber
Reading a coin with no mint mark
Look for a letter and you will not find one. The 1902 Liberty Head Nickel is a Philadelphia product, and the main mint did not sign its work at this time. On branch-mint examples the mark sits on the reverse, left of CENTS at the bottom (1912-D and 1912-S only).
What makes the 1902 Liberty Head Nickel valuable
Context adds the final layer to the 1902 Liberty Head Nickel. Charles Barber's Liberty nickel debuted in 1883 without the word CENTS, just a large Roman numeral V. Owning this date means owning a piece of that story, and demand for the series as a whole sustains liquidity for every issue in it.
Official mintage figures for the 1902 Liberty Head Nickel are not well established. The museum-documented specimens behind our specifications provide the physical reference points for the issue, and the market prices it on observed scarcity.
1902 Liberty Head Nickel inscriptions & design
Obverse
LIBERTY [on coronet] / (date)
Liberty bust left
Reverse
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • / E PLURIBUS UNUM / V / CENTS
Wreath
Measured 1902 Liberty Head Nickel specimens
2 physically measured 1902 Liberty Head Nickel examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 5 g, 21.2 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 Liberty Head Nickel #1 | - | - | - | - |
| 1902 Liberty Head Nickel #2 | - | - | - | - |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1902 Liberty Head Nickel is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.