Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 7/22/2024: Gold $2404 | Silver $29.08
1888 Nickel Value
A nice coin to find, even examples in the lower, worn condition range, 1888 nickel value starts strong. The coin market awards high minimum premiums to rare coinage. These vintage nickels have a special status that attracts interest and increases demand. Certain key elements are inspected in a full evaluation of old coins. Comparing to images identifies both the series of nickels and the year they were issued.
Following the steps involved in determining collectible quality, ensure a complete assessment, as well as a narrow range of how much they are worth.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date Identified - Verify the date to its confirm rarity.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Determining a coin's quality through image comparison.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - A constant demand focuses on a minimum standard of quality.
| 1888 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
Mint State |
| Liberty Nickel Value Updated | 2024 | |||
| 1888 | $23 | $44 | $91 | $154 |
The value chart lists a range of wholesale values these scarce nickels trade within the market. A range is necessary because precise grading varies per coin. With scarce nickels, small improvements in condition result in large increases in worth.
Step 1: 1886 a Key Date to Verify
Inspect again these 1888 nickels to verify the similar looking "6 or 9" are not present as part of the date. Value rankings are very different among the Liberty nickel series depending on exact date minted. In particular, 1888 nickels are scarce and highly prized coin. Today's scarcity of the coin traces back to its original mintage numbers. The only mint striking nickels at the time was Philadelphia which coined only a few over 10.7 million.
A close look at the date, often using magnification, verifies the date, and now an accurate reading of value charts. An in demand coin worth strong premiums.
Step 2: | Grading Defines Condition with Insight to Premium Quality
Close Inspection of Quality is Important at the Premium Level
A standout premium 1888 nickel value requires an accurate identification of each coin's condition. Grading condition finds its place on the value chart, also part of a complete description. Grades used in the coin market are shorthand terms indicating a stage of preservation. Each grade's description highlights and describes remaining design details expected when judging the grade.
A suitable grading work space includes a single light source, bright enough to outshine existing daylight. Typical of circulated coins, worn areas are reduced in height and separation of features becomes faint. This single light source creates shadows to strengthen any existing detail along their edges. First, match the coin to a similar example grade image. Inspecting key features described to qualify at the grade level gives a good judgment to a narrow range of quality.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: A nickel is considered in "Mint State" condition if its surface shows no signs of wear. Complete and unbroken luster is an important feature to recognize when determining this grade. Luster refers to the shine a minted coin exhibits. When handled carefully, luster remains intact over time. The striking process imparts a fine grain texture on the surface of the metal, giving it a shimmering luster. During use, luster quickly wears off due to its delicate texture.
The cheek of Liberty and her neck line just above the date are important areas to judge for signs of wear. They are both well raised above the field, open, and well contoured areas. Surface wear eliminates the coin's original texture and dulls the metal to a muted gray tone. When comparing high and low protected areas, a low area is beneath her ear, the shine and texture match on Mint State coins.
It is also necessary to inspect the fine, high relief lines of the design. Edges of the leaves above her ear are completely rounded, with no flattened areas. Additionally, hair detail above and behind her ear remains without any signs of smoothing. To help determine the extent of luster coverage, view the surface from a variety of angles.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: Circulation wear is just beginning to reduce the height of fine details, an important feature of the Extremely Fine grade. This condition's key characteristic is light wear localized to small, disconnected areas. A close inspection begins to identify and quantify this minor wear.
Just above Liberty's headband, there are two wheat grain sprays serving as excellent indicators to the extent of light wear. Comparing the two, just one shows a slight amount of missing and flattened detail. Wheat sprays with plenty of detail and a complete separation indicate only slight wear. Next, Liberty's portrait is just beginning to lose hair detail in a small area above her eye. However, only in this small area are the hair strands flattened and merged. Many individual hair strands still display sharply in the waves.
A soft gray color is developing over the nickel, now lacking the sparkle of luster. Small details visible within the hair behind a well defined ear are another feature indicating light wear. This high collectible quality's appearance displays overall crisp details.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: Fine Grade Liberty nickels are characterized by their many fine quality details, offset by large surfaces that are visibly worn. These nickels are graded as Fine condition based on the strength of the visible detail and the amount of missing detail.
Importantly, the word "Liberty" is visible in its entirety within the headband. Loss of defining hair strands over Liberty's eye contributes to a judgment of condition. Nevertheless, all letters of "Liberty" are fully readable, placing the coin firmly within the grade.
Other design elements remaining clear include distinct wheat grains, cotton leaves, and cotton bolls. These distinguishable features all exhibit a level of moderate wear. If a coin has no large nicks or a dark color, it is high quality.
Good Grade
Good Grade: In the Good grade condition, key features are prominent and clearly sharp despite the nickel's heavy wear. This grade is defined as heavy wear with no major design features blending into the coin's field or rim. The design of the Liberty nickel is still portrayed boldly on coins with a Good grade.
Liberty's outline is complete without fading in the lower field of the coin. Examine the back of her head to confirm a strong and full separation from the field. There is also complete separation between the field and outlines of the date, stars, and inner edge of the rim.
A visible curl at the back of her neck and small details remaining near the top of her head add to the charm of the coin. The evenness of the wear on these Liberty nickels is part of their quality as a collectible. An additional appeal and value.
How to Video: Grading Liberty Nickels
Add experience and review the video, featuring additional grading points. Descriptions highlight key elements that help understand the accurate grade of these old Liberty nickels.
Grading Liberty Nickels | How to Video and Descriptions
Step 3: | Special Qualities | Known as a Semi-Key Date
1888 an Upper Value Range Nickel
Examples of early year Liberty nickels are becoming sought after coins. An awareness is developing of the true scarcity of collectible quality examples. 1888 nickels have drawn the attention of collectors as a special coin and now entered semi-key status. Semi-key: is a term used by collectors indicating a specific date challenging to find in pleasing condition. Finding a quality 1888 nickel in any grade category is a long-term process.
Collectible Quality Mint State Grade 1888 Liberty Nickel
1888 nickels meet this definition of semi-key all the way across the value chart, beginning with the Good condition range. A strong premium is listed in Good condition and these strong values rise steadily through the upper grades. A high starting value for well worn, Good grade examples shows all levels of collectors experience a challenge when searching for a nice coin.
A strong collector market is confirmed by the values awarded to both Fine grade and Extremely Fine grade pieces. A true lack of appealing coins exists with 1888 nickels. Any displaying crisp design details is quickly added to collections.
A Fine grade nickel with "LIBERTY" readable and small amounts of wheat and cotton leaves visible is a challenging find. Next up the scale, and becoming elusive, are eye appealing Liberty nickels with most of the original surface without wear. Full, complete lines within Liberty's hair, crisp details on the wheat and cotton features are an Extremely Fine grade coin; a highly valued collectible.
Each 1888 nickel is a special coin; examples are significant to collectors. An eye appealing, quality coin, has avoided extreme wear, any heavy dents to its rim, and noticeable scratches or marks on the surface. Always give a second round of assessment to the condition of this now popular date in the Liberty series.
References
U.S. Mint. 1889 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/314
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
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