With the ever-rising inflation and struggling economy, everyone is in search of ways to make a few extra bucks, with some being less modest than others. What if we told you that something that looks just like a 5-cent coin could make you richer? That’s right, you could be $5M richer overnight without having to compromise or question your moral code. Just make sure of its authenticity before you start running to the auction house.
The 5-cent coin lookalike that will make you rich
The US Mint announced a new design for the 5-cent coin in 1913, which would feature a Native American on the obverse and a bison on the reverse. This coin was supposed to officially replace the standard Liberty Head design that has been used since 1883. Only the Buffalo nickels were supposed to be minted that year, however, five new Liberty designs got through, producing a mere 5 coins in the Philidelphia mint without consent.
The infamous 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber, became the holy grail of numismatics. The unconsented remained a secret until 1920, after which they were first revealed to the public by an advertisement placed by someone seeking the coins as a cover story to prove their existence. The millionaire collector, Edward H.R. Green, obtained all five coins a few years later.
Green died in 1936, which led to the five coins to respectively be placed with various new owners, causing their history to grow. The location of one coin mysteriously remained unknown from 1962 to 2003, until it resurfaced in the most ironic way.
This is how much money the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel could make you
The finest Known 1913 Liberty Head Nickel has a glittering mirror surface and is the only specimen with this characteristic. In 2018, it was auctioned by Stack’s Bowers at the annual ANA U.S. Coins Auction in Philadelphia for $4,560,000.00.
Characteristics to determine your coin’s authenticity
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel weighs approximately 5.00 grams, is 21.20 millimeters in diameter, and is composed of 75% Copper and 25% Nickel. The coin has a plain edge.
To ensure that you have an authentic 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, verify the coin with the following characteristics:
Obverse
- Left-facing portrait of Liberty Head with hair tied back
- A coronet with the word “LIBERTY” crowns her head
- Thirteen stars encircle the Liberty head
Reverse
- The Roman numeral “V” is displayed
- A wreath of corn, cotton, and wheat leaves encircles the V
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” displayed in an arc around half of the coin’s edge, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in a smaller font
- “CENT” displayed along the lower edge
If you are still looking to make a quick buck, the answer you are looking for lies in these valuable coins that could make you a millionaire overnight. Always confirm that all the required characteristics are met before assuming that a coin is either rare or valuable. We advise that you have the coin appraised by a professional if you are uncertain of its worth.