Old Nickel Value Appraisal

1902 Liberty Head Nickel (V Nickel)

This is a United States five-cent piece, commonly known as a Liberty Head or 'V' nickel, dated 1902. This coin was designed by Charles E. Barber and struck at the Philadelphia Mint (determined by the lack of a mint mark). The obverse features a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies. The coin is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, following the standard specifications of the era with a diameter of 21.2mm and a weight of 5 grams. In terms of condition, the coin displays significant honest wear consistent with prolonged circulation. The high points of Liberty's hair, the coronet, and the word 'LIBERTY' (if it were visible) appear heavily flattened. The date '1902' is still legible but show signs of smoothing. The metal surface has a dull, grayish patina expected of circulated nickel alloys, with some minor surface marks and scratches visible under magnification. The rim appears relatively intact with no major dings or 'edge bruises' immediately apparent in the image. Although worn, the strike retains enough silhouette detail for positive identification, placing it likely in the 'Good' to 'Very Good' (G-VG) grade range based on the Sheldon Scale. This era of coinage represents the Transition of the Gilded Age into the Progressive Era, making it a staple for numismatic collectors of early 20th-century Americana.