Grading U.S. 5 Cent Coins
Of the five-cent coins minted in the United States, we are buying the following:
- Shield nickels, 1866-1883 ~ We are buying many shield type nickels.
- Liberty head nickels, 1883-1912 ~ We buy some Liberty head type nickels.
- Indian head nickels, 1913-1938 ~ We buy some buffalo nickels.
Below you will find information about various details of grading U.S. 5 cents coins 
which may be helpful to you in determining the value of your coins. These grade descriptions use official American Numismatic Association (ANA) terminology, both in general descriptions of grades throughout this website, as well as coin-specific grading terminology on these coin grading pages.*
Examples of coins in various grading conditions are shown, graded by various professional grading services companies, as indicated by their abbreviations. If you wish to get a fast, fair and free appraisal from a professional coin dealer, go here for more information about how to send in your coins.
NICKELS
P:poor F:fair AG:about good G:good VG:very good F:fine VF:very fine EF:extra fine AU:about uncirculated MS:mint state (Uncirc.) PR:proof |
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1882 Shield Nickel
PR-67 (NGC)
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1905 Liberty nickel
MS-66 (PCGS)
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1913 "Buffalo" nickel
MS-65 (NGC)
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AG-3, Outlined design, with parts of legend and date worn smooth. Obverse: Nearly all details worn away; date/motto partially readable, but weak and merging into rim. Reverse: Entire design partially worn away; rim merges with letters. Only parts of stars visible. |
P-1, Design type is identifiable, but so worn that only parts of the legends / inscriptions are legible. Obverse: Liberty portrait is in outline and identifiable; full date may not be readable. Reverse: Enough to identify the denomination, though full 'V' not required. |
FR-2, Obverse and reverse designs barely discernible. Legends / numerals nearly worn away. |
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G-4, Heavy wear, with legend / design visible, with portions faint. OBV: Little detail remaining in shield nickel design. Legend weak but legible; letters worn into rim. REV: Numeral outlined, but flat. |
FR-2, Liberty nickel design type is identifiable, although both sides are worn smooth. OBV: Liberty's portrait is identifiable; full date is readable. REV: Wreath partially visible and V is fully legible. |
G-4, Buffalo nickel design elements and legends heavily worn, but faintly visible in spots. OBV: Very little detail remaining in center of design. LIBERTY is weak, merged with rim. REV: Bison is well outlined, but flat. Horn not visible. Legend barely readable; rim worn to the top of letters. |
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VG-8, Design is clear, but flat with no detail. OBV: Outline of cross and leaves apparent, but partly smooth. A few shield lines show separation. REV: A little detail in stars; rim is clear. Numeral flat but clearly outlined. |
AG-3, Parts of date / legends worn smooth and design elements are in outline. OBV: Liberty head with very few details. Date legible, but worn. REV: All design partially worn away. |
G-6, Heavy wear on design elements / legends, but some detail visible. OBV: Some detail in center, especially in hair; readable date. "LIBERTY" present but worn into rim. REV: A little detail just visible on head / front legs of buffalo. Horn not distinguishable. Legends faint but readable. |
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GRADING U.S. 5-CENT COINS |
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SHIELD NICKEL |
LIBERTY HEAD |
BUFFALO NICKEL |
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F-12, medium-heavy, even wear, with clear, bold design visible. OBV: Some detail visible in leaves, shield lines. Entire motto legible, but weak. REV: Some detail in stars; numeral smooth, but distinct. |
G-4, Heavy wear evident. Liberty Head / legends visible but faint in spots. OBV: Entire design is well worn, but all stars / date visible. REV: Wreath is worn flat; legend / motto worn but readable. |
VG-8, Well worn overall, but clear design. OBV: Indian's hair definition at temple, near cheekbone; date is clear but LIBERTY merged to rim. REV: Some detail on buffalo's head; horn is partially visible, but worn flat. |
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VF-20, Light-moderate, even wear, with all major shield nickel features still sharp. OBV: Shield mostly flat, but with half of horizontal lines visible. Some details in leaves; cross outlined but worn. REV: Most star centers are showing, though they and numeral are worn. |
G-6, Heavily worn Liberty nickel, but all design elements are identifiable. OBV: Some details on Liberty's head emerge, such as the eye and ear location. Stars are clear and the date is bolder. REV: Wreath displays bold outline, with legends legible and bolder. |
VG-10, Worn but buffalo nickel design is discernible. OBV: More of Indian's hair definable at temple and near cheekbone. Some detail on hair braid; stronger details in "LIBERTY". REV: Details on bison's beard apparent and detail on tail distinguishable; horn is barely detectable. |
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VF-30, Light-moderate, even wear, with all major features still sharp. OBV: Nearly full detail shown in leaves. Vertical shield lines separated and sharp, but worn, with some horizontal lines missing. REV: Most star centers are showing, though they and numeral are worn. |
VG-8, Design is clear, but flat with few or no details. OBV: Bottom edge of tiara most hair details are worn smooth. At least 3 letters in LIBERTY are readable and rim is complete. REV: Wreath is clearly visible; rim is complete. Some motto letters may be weak. |
F-12, Entire design is clear and evenly worn. OBV: ¾ of details show in hair and braid. "LIBERTY" is strong. REV: Major details show of hair on buffalo back. Horn / tail smooth but ¾ visible. |
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EF-40, light wear on high points. OBV: Lightly worn cross, though well-defined, bold. Slight wear on shield horizontal lines. Leaves show all details but are worn. REV: Number, stars worn but all details are visible. |
VG-10, Although worn, design is clearer and bolder. OBV: Details of hair are beginning to emerge on the back part of Liberty's head; stars and date are bolder. REV: Details of wreath beginning to emerge, but some motto letters are weak. The "V" is strong. |
F-15, Designs are clear and bold, although worn. OBV: Details visible in temple, forehead hairline, and on braid. LIBERTY is bold. REV: Major details on buffalo back hair and front legs are distinct. About 85% of horn and tail present but smooth. |
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EF-45, Very light wear only on the highest points of the shield nickel. OBV: Slight wear on tips of leaves and cross. Trace of wear on horiz. lines of shield. REV: Only high points of stars and '5' lightly worn. |
F-12, Although heavy wear evident, entire liberty nickel design is clear, bold,. OBV: Some details show in hair and wave on top of head. All letters of LIBERTY in tiara are visible. REV: Some details in wreath visible; letters of motto are worn but clear. |
VF-20, Moderate, even wear on buffalo nickel design elements. OBV: Fair amount of flatness on cheek / hair, but all details are clear; partial detail in feathers. REV: Hair on buffalo's head worn, but full tail / horn visible. |
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AU-50, Just small traces of wear on highest points. Traces of original mint luster showing. OBV: Only trace of wear on tips of leaves and cross. REV: Trace of wear on numeral 5 and stars. |
F-15, Moderate wear evident but entirety of both Liberty head and wreath is clear and bold. OBV: More details show in hair; LIBERTY is stronger. REV: Details of design are strong in the wreath; motto letters are bolder. |
VF-30, Light, even wear on design elements. OBV: Nearly full hair detail visible; feathers / braid worn but sharp. REV: Buffalo head, front legs, hip, and full horn are worn; tail is showing. |
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GRADING U.S. 5-CENT COINS |
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SHIELD NICKELS |
LIBERTY HEAD NICKELS |
BUFFALO NICKELS |
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AU-55, Traces of erosion showing on highest points. Part of mint luster still present. OBV: Only a trace of wear on the cross. REV: Trace of wear on numeral only. |
VF-20, Moderate, even wear with all major features are sharp. OBV: More than ½ the details visible on hair / curls. Liberty head appears bold but is worn. All tiara letters are visible. REV: Wreath leaves are worn but some ribs visible. Unless a weak strike, most wreath details are clear. |
EF-40, High points of the design show light wear. OBV: Some light wear on face and hair, but are well defined and bold. Slight wear seen on hair braid lines. REV: End of tail / horn are worn but all details visible. |
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AU-58 Shield Nickel: Tips of leaves, high points of shield show some signs of abrasion. Some mint luster still present. |
VF-30, Light, even wear evident with sharpness in all major Liberty Nickel features. OBV: ¾ of hair details visible; LIBERTY letters bold and full. REV: Wreath leaves worn but some ribs are visible. Some of the lines in corn ears are clear (unless weakly struck coin). |
EF-45, Very light wear on Buffalo Nickel design elements' highest points. OBV: Detectable, slight wear on the hair above the braid, temple and hair near the cheekbone. REV: Light wear discernible on high points of thigh and hip. Buffalo tail tip and horn are sharp, nearly complete. |
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MS-60, Uncirculated nickel with no trace of wear, but some blemishes. Surface may be dull / spotted, and lack full mint luster. |
EF-40, Detectable light wear on design high points. OBV: Wear evident on hair from Liberty's ear to the forehead, also showing on hair curls / cheek. REV: First cotton bolls & wheat heads on each side of wreath showing wear, but clearly defined lines. Corn shows some wear. |
AU-50, Still show traces of mint luster. OBV: Traces of wear evident on hair; also detectable on cheekbone, left side of forehead. REV: Wear detectable on hip / tail, and evident on the hair around and above horn. |
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1882 shield nickel, reverse
PR-67 (NGC)
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1905 Liberty head, rev.
MS-66 (PCGS)
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1913 buffalo nickel, rev.
MS-65 (NGC)
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MS-63, No trace of wear. Mint State with attractive mint luster, but noticeable contact marks or minor blemishes. |
EF-45, Very light wear only on design high points. OBV: Slight wear apparent on Liberty's hair from ear to forehead. REV: Slight wear on top cotton bolls and heads of wheat. Lines in corn ears well-defined. Traces of mint luster may be present. |
AU-55, ½ of mint luster still present. High points show slight traces of wear. OBV: High point of cheek only detectable trace of wear. REV: Trace of wear on hip. |
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MS-65 shield nickel: No trace of wear; may have a small blemish or weakness. Full mint luster may be unevenly toned, or with slight finger marks. A few noticeable nicks / marks may be present. |
AU-50, Traces of wear evident on liberty nickel design high points: OBV: Traces of wear on hair on forehead and left of the ear. REV: Traces of wear show on ears of corn, top cotton bolls and the wheat heads. Partial mint luster present. |
AU-58, Highest points of buffalo nickel design elements show slightest traces of wear. OBV: Some signs of abrasion on Indian's cheek high points. REV: May have slight abrasion on flank areas and hip bone. |
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MS-67, Virtually flawless, with no trace of wear; may have very minor imperfections. |
AU-55, Slight traces of wear present. OBV: Slight trace of wear shows to the left of Liberty's ear on the highest points of hair. REV: A trace of wear is present at the bottom part of the wreath on the ears of corn. ½ of mint luster is present. |
MS-60, No trace of wear evident on high points. May have heavy contact marks / blemishes in all areas. Surfaces may be dull / spotted, lacking full mint luster. |
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GRADING U.S. 5-CENT COINS |
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SHIELD NICKEL |
LIBERTY NICKEL |
BUFFALO NICKEL |
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MS-70, Flawless shield nickel exactly as minted, with no trace of injury or wear. Must either have full mint luster or light, attractive toning. |
AU-58, Very slightest trace of wear detectable on Liberty nickel high points. OBV: High points of Liberty's hair to the left of her ear and on her forehead may have signs of abrasion. REV: Slightest abrasion may be detected at the bottom of the wreath on first ear of corn to the right of the ribbon. |
MS-61, No trace of wear detectable. May have few distracting contact marks in prime focal areas. May lack full mint luster. Generally unattractive eye appeal. |
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MS-60, Strictly uncirculated liberty nickel; no trace of wear allowed. Mint luster may be dull, washed out or unattractive. May have many detracting large contact marks / damage spots, with heavy concentration of hairline scuff marks / scratches; rim nicks may be present. Generally poor eye appeal. |
MS-62, Strictly uncirculated buffalo nickel, no wear. May have some distracting contact marks in prime focal areas, and lack full mint luster. Eye appeal is generally acceptable. |
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MS-62, Strictly uncirculated, though mint luster may be dull. A few heavy marks or nicks in prime focal areas and groups of small contact marks acceptable. Very noticeable Hairline scratches may be present. Strike, planchet, and rim quality may be below average. Overall generally acceptable eye appeal. |
MS-63, No wear, strictly uncirculated. Minor distracting contact marks or minor blemishes may be present. Luster may be original or slightly impaired. Appealing and attractive to the eye. |
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MS-63, Strictly uncirculated liberty nickel, with mint luster slightly impaired. A few scattered heavy marks and many small contact marks may be seen; small hairlines, visible to the eye, are permitted. Several defects / detracting scuff marks may be present. Overall the Liberty nickel has attractive eye appeal, though the general quality is about average. |
MS-64, Uncirculated buffalo nickel; no wear. May have scattered, light contact marks - some in prime focal areas. Mint luster is original, average, with overall eye-pleasing appearance. |
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MS-64, Strictly uncirculated 5 cents piece. Displays average strike / luster. 1-2 moderately heavy marks, as well as a few small clusters of contact marks, are permitted. 1-2 small hairline patches may show under low magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks or defects permitted in the fields or on the design devices; shows overall eye appeal pleasing. |
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MS-65, Strictly unc. Liberty nickel with high quality of luster present and well-struck mint mark / date. Two larger marks or a few scattered small contact marks are permitted. Under magnification, 1-2 small patches of hairlines may show; light scuff marks may show on high points. Above average over-all quality and very pleasing eye appeal. |
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... please call us toll-free at:
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
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Get a free appraisal and grading of your coin s from Midwest Mint. As experienced buyers, we can offer you top prices. Call 888 380-MINT for more information. |
