Coin

5 Cents "Liberty Nickel" with "CENTS" (1904) — United States

United States • 1904 • KM# 112, Schön# 119, PCGS# 3844-3875, 3881-3910, Greysheet# 2948-2979, 2981...

5 Cents "Liberty Nickel" with "CENTS" (1904) — United States

Overview

A copper-nickel 5 Cents coin of the United States, featuring the Head of Liberty with 13 stars around the head, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America on the obverse and a Large V in center, representing Roman Numeral 5 with wreath on the reverse. Minted in 1904 with a mintage of 1,817 pieces. Composed of copper-nickel with a plain edge. Struck as Proof.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1904
Composition
Copper-nickel
Weight
5 g
Diameter
21.2 mm
Thickness
1.95 mm
Mint
United States Mint of Philadelphia
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 112, Schön# 119, PCGS# 3844-3875, 3881-3910, Greysheet# 2948-2979, 2981...
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Head of Liberty with 13 stars around the head, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America Script: Latin Lettering: * * * * * * * * * * * * * LIBERTY 1912 Engraver: Charles Edward Barber

Reverse

Large V in center, representing Roman Numeral 5 with wreath Script: Latin Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM V ·CENTS· Translation: United States of America Out of Many, One Five Cents Engraver: Charles Edward Barber

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Charles Edward Barber is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: United States Mint of Philadelphia. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 1,817 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 112, Schön# 119, PCGS# 3844-3875, 3881-3910, Greysheet# 2948-2979, 2981.... Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

During 1904, the United States was in the later stages of the Liberty Head nickel series, which had been in production since 1883. This period was characterized by economic stability and a high demand for low-denomination coinage for industrial vending machines and public transit. As the Philadelphia Mint transition drew closer to the end of the Barber era, these proofs were specifically produced for sale to collectors in annual sets.

Design heritage

Chief Engraver Charles Edward Barber designed both sides of the coin, featuring a Classical-style bust of Liberty on the obverse surrounded by thirteen stars. The reverse prominently displays the Roman numeral V within a corn and wheat wreath, a design modified in mid-1883 to include the word CENTS to prevent fraudulent plating. Barber's design was part of a broader late-19th-century initiative to standardize and dignify American coinage motifs.

Varieties and technical notes

This 1904 issue was struck with a plain edge and a round shape as part of the proof production at the Philadelphia Mint. Collectors should examine the strike quality on the stars and the wreath details, as proof specimens from this era typically exhibit mirrored fields and frosted devices. No major die varieties for the 1904 proof are widely recognized, though minor doubling on the date or stars may occasionally occur.

Survival and modern availability

With a recorded mintage of only 1,817 pieces, this 1904 proof issue is significantly scarcer than its circulation-strike counterparts. Most surviving specimens have been preserved by numismatists, though some may exhibit hazy toning or light handling marks from vintage storage methods. High-grade examples with Cameo or Deep Cameo designations are particularly rare and sought after by registry set collectors.

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