The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous and valuable coins in American numismatics. It is renowned for its rarity and mysterious origin, as it was struck under unusual circumstances.
The Liberty Head Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber, had been in production since 1883. However, in 1913, the design was scheduled to be replaced by the new Buffalo Nickel designed by James Earle Fraser.
Despite this plan, it is believed that a few Liberty Head Nickels were struck in 1913, likely by an employee or someone associated with the U.S. Mint, as no official records exist documenting their production.
Only five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels are known to exist today. They were not discovered until the 1920s, when their rarity became widely recognized. Each of the five known specimens has its own unique history and provenance, adding to their allure and mystique.
The obverse of the coin features a left-facing bust of Liberty wearing a crown inscribed with the word "LIBERTY." The word "LIBERTY" is also arched above her head. The date "1913" is positioned below Liberty's bust.
On the reverse side, there is a Roman numeral "V" (representing the coin's denomination of five cents) surrounded by a wreath of wheat. Above the wreath is the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," and below it is the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts due to its rarity and historical significance. It has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries, further adding to its mystique.
Today, each of the five known specimens is housed in prestigious collections and museums, making them some of the most valuable and prized coins in existence.
The story of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel becomes even more intriguing when considering the circumstances surrounding its creation and discovery. While the exact details remain shrouded in mystery, numismatists and historians have pieced together a fascinating narrative that adds to the allure of these rare coins. .