Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 5/12/2025: Gold $3274 | Silver $32.90
1911 Nickel Value
High mintage numbers are a significant contributor to 1911 nickel value. An abundant number remain from this year of the Liberty series. Today, however, those in above average quality are more elusive and command high premiums.
Although most of the remaining Liberty nickels are in very worn condition it is important to grade their condition. This is key to how much they are worth. As part of determining its place on the value chart, defined steps guide you through the evaluation process. You soon confirm the date of the coin, its condition, and recognize any special qualities.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date Identified - Inspect this date very carefully to ensure its accuracy.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Condition, or "grade" as called in the hobby, is a key to how much an old Liberty nickel is worth. Judge a close match of condition when comparing to images.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - All levels of collectors are supporting high demand for these coins.
| 1911 Nickel Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
Mint State |
| Liberty Nickel Value Updated | 2025 | |||
| 1911 | $1.80 | $4.62 | $24 | $70 |
Market values listed above are a range of wholesale values. Use as a starting point when selling these Liberty nickels.
Step 1: Date is Identified and Used to Determine Values
In anticipation of ending the Liberty nickel series, the Philadelphia mint increased production in 1911. The mint struck over 39.5 million nickels. Philadelphia was also the only mint producing nickels at the time. Importantly, 1911 nickel coinage recorded what became the highest mintage of the series. As a date, it is available today in sufficient numbers and valued similar to most other dates of the decade.
As these old coins are evaluated, specific dates stand out, and valued differently. Accuracy is important when recording the date of the coin.
Step 2: | Grades are Terms Defining Condition
Small Details on Liberty Nickels Indicate Premium Quality
An accurate reading of the value chart includes judging a "grade" of a coin. An inspection of the quality and details remaining on each coin is compared to examples of standard grades. These grades are the terms used in the coin market to categorize each stage of condition.
1911 nickel value begins a strong rise, as shown on the chart, when recognizing an example in Fine grade condition. An important condition to confirm. Each of the imaged grades includes descriptions of key features to inspect.
Set up a single light source when viewing these old nickels. Faded designs illuminated with one light, cast a strong shadow highlighting shallow details. With a tilting motion and a close look, subtle details often reveal themselves.
Mint State Grade
Mint State: The defining characteristic confirming the Mint State grade is the absence of wear on the surface. This high condition nickel still has its original luster and shine. High reliefs, and recesses are entirely unaltered. Additionally, the coin's fields show no signs of wear.
An initial inspection and judgment verifies all original luster remains intact. When the coin is turned and tilted under a light, the luster radiates as a shine that flows across the surface. During the minting process, striking the coin under high pressure results in a fine texture on the metal. This produces a Mint State coin's characteristic luster. Wear on the surface smooths the metal, removing the mint texture and dulls the shine. Inspect Liberty's eyebrow and cheek for these first signs of wear.
Next judge the finer, more prominent points of the design. These details include tops of hair strands and elements above the headband. Roundness of high contours is quickly lost with wear. Additionally, the metal's original silvery-gray hue quickly turns into a dull tone. Closely inspect the edges of the leaves and grains of wheat in the wreath, as well as the top of the headband. Recognize the Mint State grade when both high and low surfaces are intact, with no dulling or smoothness visible.
Extremely Fine Grade
Extremely Fine: A lightly circulated Extremely Fine condition nickel is just starting to show signs of wear. Use visible signs of wear restricted to only the design's high points as a gauge to help classify this grade. There is also a distinction and separation between areas of wear and areas with strong design features remaining.
A few strands of Liberty's hair directly above her eye have merged into a small, smooth area, indicating some light wear. Next, there is localized fading of hair strands above the ear. Also, details in her hair tie show some flatness. Note, smooth areas are surrounded by remaining deep recesses. These smooth spots are at the highest relief points of the design. Lower relief areas retain the majority of the hair waves' fine lines. As part of the Extremely Fine grade qualities, there is a distinct disconnect between worn areas.
With all letters in "LIBERTY" visible within her headband this indicates the surface of the coin has seen only light use. Often there is a slight weakness in the letter "I." This is also an area at the highest contour point of the design. All remaining letters are full and bold, confirming the light wear condition. As a collector coin, bold details characterize a Liberty nickel in Extremely Fine grade. Displaying a crisp overall appearance, this grade is popular with collectors.
Fine Grade
Fine Grade: Many smaller, deeply impressed details remain visible on a Fine grade Liberty nickel. Additionally, this quality shows extensive areas of wear, fading the clarity of higher relief designs. A combination of moderate wear and only partial loss of smaller details describes the grade.
With visible hair detail still present toward the back of her head, Liberty's hair shows a few worn areas. Note the smoothing of the hair over her forehead. As a result of this wear, a defining hairline separating the forehead has almost completely disappeared. Recognize moderate wear by the weakness of hair details above the eye, extending along her forehead almost to the ear.
Above Liberty's brow, her headband features a complete "LIBERTY" inscription. This is a key feature of the Fine grade. A well-defined "I" of LIBERTY, as shown on the example coin, fully meets the quality needed to achieve the Fine grade. A close match of your coin, including details along the rim, and a clear date help confirm the grade.
Good Grade
Good Grade: The remaining level of detail on Good-grade Liberty nickels is an unmistakably flat and smooth portrait. However, a few features are needed to keep these coins within their grade, despite this amount of wear.
Strong outlines remain on all major features as a basic requirement for the Good grade level. To begin, the entirety of Liberty remains raised above the field with a complete outline. Inspect the area towards the back of the head. This is the likely point where merging with the field occurs. A faded portrait outline lowers condition below the Good grade level. Second, each star remains complete and separate from the inner edge of the rim. If the stars blend into the rim or the field, a coin's grade is below the Good category. Third, the condition is defined by a clear inner edge to the rim. Many worn Liberty nickels show missing or weak parts of the rim, which lessens their appeal. The date is again checked to ensure all the digits are clear and bold from the field.
For a coin to meet the Good quality requirements, it displays every major design feature. The design of the Liberty series holds up very well, even after heavy use in circulation. This is an attractive example of an old nickel series.
How to Video: Grading Liberty Nickels
Accurately recognizing a coin's condition leads to a narrow listing of values on the above chart. The video presents important features close-up. Inspect the key elements highlighted in the descriptions to identify a specific grade.
Grading Liberty Nickels | How to Video and Descriptions
Step 3: | Special Qualities | Rising to Collector Expectations
1911 Nickels are in a Competition for Attention
Certain qualities are often the difference of an old nickel becoming part of a Liberty nickel collection. 1911 is a good example of a coin produced in large quantities, many available today, and appealing to a wide range of collectors. Each individual coin needs to show a certain level of pleasing quality. It must visually separate itself from others in a positive way to draw attention and value to itself.
The coin market for Liberty nickels is solid. However, popularity of the series is not as intense as other series. Buffalo nickels and Jefferson nickels hold these positions. In the 1911 nickel's favor is they remain easily affordable to most collectors. Different levels of collectors have specific preferences. New/young collectors accept coins with moderate to heavy wear as a cost point. A more advanced enthusiast is seeking coins in a mid-range of preservation and price. A third set of collectors pursue high quality examples, the scarce and high premium nickels.
Appealing Quality Good Grade Liberty Nickel
Each of these groups of collectors examines many coins as they proceed. Coins drawing positive attention are those eventually placed in collections. At the beginning level, a worn nickel displaying a pleasing surface without large marks is the type chosen. Its added eye appeal of displaying undamaged wear and strong remaining features is the positive deciding factor.
Nicely Detailed Circulated Liberty Nickel
Amount of detail and completeness is important to the mid-range quality collectors. Any coin with distracting marks is not a consideration. Subtle features such as the amount and fullness of hair strands are examined. Strength of LIBERTY within the headband is closely noted. Along with an overall pleasing coloration and toning of the surface. Fewer coins are available in this quality, with values indicating the level of demand.
Becoming a part of an advanced collection requires a superior coin. Intensely judged and considered, each coin must rise well above average quality. A top-quality set of Liberty nickels is a challenge to complete. Scarcity is part of the attraction, along with complete and strongly defined detail on the coin. Mint State examples, those with no wear, are the primary pieces drawing the attention of these collectors. At the high-end scale there are even fewer examples available. Patience allows collectors to view possible candidates and keep standards of acceptance high. Strong eye appeal is required to draw attention at the high level.
A High Quality Mint State Liberty Nickel
This competition of each coin to become a part of collection is a factor in market values. Attractive coins move quickly through the market from dealers to collectors of all levels. Judging your coin as nice, stand-out quality within any condition, finds a coin with an advantage. Both dealers and collectors recognize these traits and support the premiums.
References
U.S. Mint. 1912 U.S. Mint Annual Report
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/324
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
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