1887 Liberty Nickel Value Guide What Is It Worth Today
The 1887 Liberty Nickel is worth anywhere from $1.50 in heavily worn condition to well over $100 in uncirculated grades, with some high-end mint state examples fetching $300 or more at auction. If you just found one of these coins in an old jar or inherited it from a family member, you’re in the right place.
Before we dive into the details, it helps to have a reliable tool on hand. Using a free coin identifier app is a great first step when you’re sorting through old coins and want a quick ballpark on what you’re dealing with. That said, for serious value estimates, it pays to understand the specifics — and that’s exactly what this guide will walk you through.
A Quick Look at the 1887 Liberty Nickel
The Liberty Nickel, also called the V Nickel, was designed by Charles Barber and minted from 1883 to 1912. The 1887 edition was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, and no mint mark appears on the coin — Philadelphia coins of this era never carried one. The obverse features Lady Liberty wearing a coronet, and the reverse displays a large Roman numeral “V” surrounded by a wreath and stars. The coin is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, so despite the name, there’s no silver in it. With a mintage of about 15.2 million pieces for 1887, this isn’t a rare coin by any stretch — but condition is everything when it comes to how much yours is actually worth.
1887 Liberty Nickel Value by Grade
Like almost every collectible coin, the value of the 1887 Liberty Nickel swings dramatically depending on its condition. Coins that spent decades in circulation are worth a few dollars at most, while those that were tucked away and preserved in near-perfect shape can be worth significant money.
Here’s a breakdown of typical values by grade:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, flat details | $1.50 – $3 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, some detail visible | $8 – $15 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $30 – $50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Slight wear, good luster | $60 – $90 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear, minor contact marks | $100 – $175 |
| Gem Mint State (MS-65) | Sharp strike, bright luster | $300 – $500+ |
For the most up-to-date 1887 Liberty Nickel prices in mint state grades, checking a live pricing database can save you from underestimating what you have.
What Makes Some 1887 Liberty Nickels Worth More
Beyond grade, a few factors can push the value of your 1887 Liberty Nickel higher. Eye appeal matters a great deal to collectors — a coin with original luster, strong strikes, and no cleaning or damage will always command a premium over one that’s been polished or harshly cleaned. Unfortunately, many older nickels were cleaned by well-meaning owners who thought shiny meant valuable. It actually does the opposite: cleaning destroys the natural surface and lowers collector interest significantly.
Strike quality is another variable. Some 1887 Liberty Nickels came off the dies weakly struck, showing flat areas on Liberty’s hair or the reverse wreath. A sharply struck example is more desirable and worth more than a weakly struck one in the same grade. Coins that have been certified and graded by PCGS or NGC also tend to sell for more, since buyers trust the third-party evaluation.
If you’re unsure about your coin’s condition, CoinKnow is a smart place to start. The CoinKnow app lets you scan your coin and get an instant grade estimate, making it easy to see roughly where your coin falls on the scale before you decide whether to sell or get it professionally graded.
How to Sell Your 1887 Liberty Nickel
If you’ve decided your coin is worth selling, you’ve got several options. eBay is one of the most popular places for individual coin sales, and you can search completed listings to see what similar examples actually sold for — not just what people are asking. Local coin dealers are another practical option, especially if you want cash on the spot, though dealers typically offer wholesale prices so they can resell at a profit.
For higher-grade examples worth $100 or more, consider sending your coin to PCGS or NGC for professional certification before selling. A certified coin in a tamper-evident holder almost always sells faster and for more money. Coin shows are also worth exploring, as you can get multiple offers from different dealers in one afternoon.
While you’re researching coin values from this era, it’s also worth learning about other silver coins that might be hiding in the same collection. Understanding the full value of 1887-dated coins including silver dollars can give you a much clearer picture of what an entire inherited coin collection might be worth.
And if you’re sorting through a large batch of old coins, CoinKnow can help you quickly identify and prioritize which pieces deserve a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the 1887 Liberty Nickel made of silver?
A: No. Despite being called a “nickel,” the 1887 Liberty Nickel is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It contains no silver, so its value is entirely based on collector demand rather than metal content.
Q: How do I know if my 1887 Liberty Nickel has been cleaned?
A: Cleaned coins typically look unnaturally bright or shiny, and under magnification you may see fine hairline scratches from polishing. A coin with original, undisturbed surfaces will have a softer, more muted luster compared to a cleaned one.
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1887 Liberty Nickel?
A: There is no mint mark on the 1887 Liberty Nickel. All examples were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark on its coins during this period. The absence of a mint mark is completely normal and does not affect value.
