Liberty Head Nickel

1883–1913

Nicknamed the "V nickel" for the large Roman numeral V on its reverse, this coin's very first design (1883) omitted the word "CENTS" entirely -- a mistake fraudsters exploited by gold-plating the coin and passing it off as a $5 half eagle, the famous "Racketeer Nickel" scheme. The Mint added "CENTS" within the same year to stop it. The series ended in 1912, but five specimens dated 1913 exist despite no Mint record of an authorized 1913 Liberty nickel -- among the most valuable coins in the world.