1912-S Liberty Head Nickel Value
Depending on how well it survived, a 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel brings anywhere from $44.00 to $7,425. Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1912-S Liberty Head Nickel value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $44.00 to $74.50 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $64.00 to $108 |
| Fine (F-12) | $96.00 to $162 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $160 to $270 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $272 to $459 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $448 to $756 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $720 to $1,215 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $1,360 to $2,295 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $4,400 to $7,425 |
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.
How much is a 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel starts around $44.00. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $7,425. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1912-S Liberty Head Nickel specifications
- Series
- Liberty Head Nickel
- Year
- 1912
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 238,000
- Composition
- 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Charles E. Barber
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1912 Liberty Head Nickel?
To confirm your 1912 coin is the San Francisco issue, find the small "S". On the reverse, left of CENTS at the bottom (1912-D and 1912-S only) The mark is small, so tilt the coin under a light if it is not obvious.
Where this coin's value comes from
With a mintage of just 238,000, the 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel is one of the celebrated key dates of the Liberty Head Nickel series. Survivors are scarce in every grade, and demand from series collectors keeps prices firm year after year.
There is history in a 1912 Liberty Head Nickel as well. The series ran to 1912, the first year branch mints struck nickels; the 1912-S, with 238,000 pieces, is the legitimate key. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
Summary: the 1912-S Liberty Head Nickel is valued between $44.00 and $7,425 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.