Designed by: Charles E. Barber
Issue Date: 1883
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.00 grams (77.16 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 5,474,000
Proof Mintage: 5,219

The 1883 No CENTS Liberty Nickel marked the debut of Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head design, a refined departure from the earlier Shield motif that had defined the nickel coin ... Read More

Designed by: Charles E. Barber
Issue Date: 1883
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.00 grams (77.16 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 5,474,000
Proof Mintage: 5,219

The 1883 No CENTS Liberty Nickel marked the debut of Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head design, a refined departure from the earlier Shield motif that had defined the nickel coin series since 1866. The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of Liberty, believed by some to have been inspired by classical figures such as Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. She wears a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, framed by 13 stars representing the original colonies, with the date positioned at the base.

The reverse displays an open wreath of agricultural motifs—wheat, cotton, corn, and tobacco—encircling a prominent Roman numeral V, denoting the coin’s five-cent denomination. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM appear along the periphery. Crucially, however, the denomination CENTS was omitted, creating an unfortunate ambiguity that led to widespread fraudulent activity.

Shortly after its release, enterprising individuals began gold-plating the 1883 No CENTS Liberty Nickel and passing it off as a $5 gold piece, exploiting the design’s resemblance to half eagles in both size and appearance. The deception prompted swift corrective action by the U.S. Mint, which added the word CENTS to the reverse later that same year.

In the interim, the No CENTS variant quickly gained notoriety and collector interest. Speculation intensified following rumors—entirely unfounded—that the Mint was recalling the issue, prompting mass hoarding. Demand for examples surged, particularly among collectors, resulting in an impressive Proof mintage of 5,219 coins—one of the highest of the era.

Today, the 1883 No CENTS Liberty Nickel is readily obtainable in grades from Good through About Uncirculated. Examples in Extremely Fine to AU are especially prevalent due to the widespread saving of these coins. Uncirculated specimens are scarcer, and Premium Gem examples with full strikes and superior surfaces remain in strong demand. Proofs are also relatively available, though many exhibit minor spotting or toning consistent with long-term storage.

As a pivotal issue in the Liberty Head series, this nickel coin continues to appeal to collectors for its historical context, public intrigue, and enduring role in discussions of Shield nickel values and early U.S. Mint design evolution.