1912 Liberty Head Nickel Value

A 1912 Liberty Head Nickel is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition. Where your coin lands depends on wear, strike and surface quality.

Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.

1912 Liberty Head Nickel value by grade

1912 Liberty Head Nickel value by grade
GradeEstimated 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 2026-06-15. 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 the 1912 Liberty Head Nickel selling for today?

In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1912 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.

1912 Liberty Head Nickel specifications

Series
Liberty Head Nickel
Year
1912
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
26,234,569
Composition
75% copper, 25% nickel
Weight
5 g
Diameter
21.2 mm
Edge
Plain
Designer
Charles E. Barber

Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).

No mint mark? Here is why

The 1912 Liberty Head Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark in this era. If you find no letter where branch-mint coins carry one (On the reverse, left of CENTS at the bottom (1912-D and 1912-S only)), you are holding a Philadelphia issue.

What makes the 1912 Liberty Head Nickel valuable

At 26,234,569 struck, scarcity is not the story here. Condition is: well-preserved examples with original luster stand far above the worn majority.

There is history in a 1912 Liberty Head Nickel as well. Charles Barber's Liberty nickel debuted in 1883 without the word CENTS, just a large Roman numeral V. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.

1912 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 1912 Liberty Head Nickel specimens

6 physically measured 1912 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.

Measured 1912 Liberty Head Nickel specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #1----
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #2----
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #3----
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #4----
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #54.75 g21 mm6 h-
1912 Liberty Head Nickel #6----

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.

Summary: the 1912 Liberty Head Nickel is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.