Visual Grading Metrics
Liberty Nickel Good Grade

A well-worn coin with only major details visible fits the general description of a Liberty nickel in Good Grade. The obverse displays Liberty's portrait very smooth and flattened, although completely outlined. A series of stars and a clear date are the remainder of visible design elements.

Visually match the condition of your coin with the above image (fig. 1G). Note the smooth surface of Liberty in Good Grade. Few details within the portrait remain. Note the outer defining lines of Liberty rise above the field. This initial judgment of a flattened appearance begins to identify the grade range.

Next, visual measurements of important features evaluate the entire coin, helping confirm the grade.

Visual Grading Metrics Identify Liberty Nickels in Good Grade

Illustrated in (fig. 2G) are the 7 key areas used to define the quality of these heavily worn nickels. Inspecting these points develops the visual grading metrics of a Liberty Nickel in Good Grade. Each of these areas show distinct patterns indicating levels of wear. As example; Liberty's portrait when first minted was highly detailed with a headband. Clear letters of LIBERTY within the headband and flowing hair strands below. In the heavy wear stage, these high contour elements have worn away. This becomes a visual indication of the amount of metal removed.

Judge the following main focal points in the examination of coins within the Good grade range. These areas help identify and determine the grade.

• Date: Clarity and Ability to Confirm
• Stars: Completeness of Their Design
• Obverse Rim: Amount of the Rim's Inner Edge Remaining
• Reverse Rim: The Inner Edge Amount Visible
• Legend: Letters Inspected for Completeness
• Motto: Letters Inspected for Completeness
• Wreath: Visibility of Wreath's Outer Edges Judged

An evaluation of the 7 key features Rates the remaining detail of the coin's condition. Using the Rating of each feature gives a final overall Scoring.

Rating and Scoring Metrics Provided by 27 Study Coins
Rating and percentage data for the Good Grade was compiled from a study group of 27 professionally graded Liberty Nickels. Within the study group, each feature was judged and a rating of visible detail applied. Example, visible, or faded. Percentages of each rating identified the metric indicating the grade. Each feature was then given a positive score when meeting a high percentage rating. The results of the study group identified the Rating and Scoring percentages required for the Good Grade condition range.

🔎Helpful Tools Used to Accurately Grade Heavily Worn Liberty Nickels
In well-worn condition the obverse of a Liberty nickel remains somewhat bold. The important elements of the portrait still rise above the field and easily seen. On the reverse the condition is often different, with elements faded. The complexity of the design on the reverse involves many small features. Lettering, details of a wreath, and small areas along the rim are less visible.

In the coin hobby, a single light source plus a magnifying glass are two tools used to detect subtle metrics when grading condition. Lighting from a single source casts strong shadows off faint edges and contours. Using a 5x to 7x magnifying glass and inspecting the outline of a single letter allows for a close and accurate view.

Initial Inspection Placing Condition Within the Good Grade Range

Referring to the illustration (fig. 3G), Liberty's portrait appears smooth and flat, with little detail visible. It does remain fully outlined. No part of the outer edge blends and disappears into the field. A few details often remain at the very top of Liberty's head. Elements of wheat sprays and leaves show signs of small details. Holding the condition within the Good grade range is no lettering of LIBERTY remains visible. This area of LIBERTY is just below the top straight edge of the headband. A portrait without lettering confirms the condition no higher than Good grade.

Rating the Visual Metrics of the Date

A strong requirement within the coin market requires a confirmed, accurate date of the coin. At the Good grade level, Liberty nickels still retain readable dates. Completeness and overall clarity of the date become the metrics qualifying the coin's condition. Note in the image (fig. 4G), two dates with different levels of wear. Rating the different conditions refines the evaluation.

Visual Rating Definitions | Date

• Full: | Fully complete date without fading of the numeral's outlines. No blending of the digit's outline into the field. None of the digits connect to the rim.
• Partial: | Faded incomplete digits with blending into the field. Any digits connecting to the rim becomes a Partial date.

Determine the rating of the date and indicate its condition.

A clear date becomes an important feature indicating the condition. Check the Positive Score button when a Full and complete date is clearly visible. This feature adds to the quality of the coin and is part of a cumulative score deciding its grade.

Research Data Results: Date Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Rating and Scoring the study nickels in Good grade produced the following percentage results.

• 96% | A Full and Complete Date Visible
• 4% | Rated a Partial Date

Conclusion/Key Points: By awarding the Good grade to coins with Fully complete dates, hobbyist show a strong preference. A 96% Full date percentage becomes the metric when deciding a Positive Score. These coins are noticeably worn; however, a readable date is a strict requirement to keep the coin's condition in the grade range.

Rating the Stars Visual Metrics

Just inside the rim, 13 stars frame Liberty's portrait. These form an important element and used as a definitive grading metric. Viewing the stars in the image (fig. 5G), heavy wear reduces their design to a flattened surface. Although wear is heavy, recognizable star outlines remain at the Good grade condition. In less than Good grade quality, wear removes the defining edges of the stars, blending their outline into the field. On the obverse of Liberty nickels, major design elements, when intact, lead the judgment to the Good quality.

Two main visual metrics determine the extent of wear at this level. Apply the following definitions, guiding your judgment of each star's condition.

Visual Rating Definitions | Stars

• Full: | All 13 stars complete and fully outlined
• Faded: | Any of the 13 stars with incomplete outlines faded into the field

Maintaining the complete outlines of major features on the obverse decides condition. A Full metric of all Stars Rates a Positive Score. The crisp look of complete stars improves the collectible appeal of a worn Liberty nickel.

Research Data Results: Stars Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Data from studying the example nickels reveals a standout percentage metric.

• 96% | Displayed all Stars Fully Outlined
• 4% | Showed at least one Star with an incomplete outline

Conclusion/Key Points: The stars strongly indicate the condition required to reach the Good Grade. A 96% Rating of Full Stars within the study group is a definitive metric. Inspect the stars closely. Identifying a quality surface and condition shows in the charts a nice market value.

Obverse Rim Visual Metrics

The rim of the coin surrounding the design becomes an important grading metric. At the heavily worn level, it appears very flat and wide. A defined inner edge is the grading metric. This edge facing the design elements typically appears as a slightly raised line. Completeness or fading of the edge along the entire rim points to the amount of wear.

As you inspect the image (fig. 6G), note a distinct line runs uninterrupted the entire rim on the Full metric example. A visible line defines the inner edge. A faded inner edge shows on the second coin in the area behind Liberty's head.

Four metrics help measure the rim's level of wear on coins in the Good grade range.

Visual Rating Definitions | Obverse Rim

• Full: | Complete inner edge of the rim visible along the perimeter.
• 3/Quarters: | 3-Quarters of the inner edge of the rim visible along the perimeter.
• Half: | Half of the inner edge of the rim visible and raised above the field along the perimeter.
• Partial: | Less than half of the inner edge of the rim remains visible along the perimeter.

Rate the visibility of the rim using the above Obverse Rim metrics, then record and score the results.

Rating the amount of visible rim separates coins that grade above the severely worn level. Liberty nickels are popular and valued by collectors when the few remaining design elements on the obverse are clear and crisp.

Research Data Results: Obverse Rim Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Percentage results of the Obverse Rim Ratings

• 100% | Displayed a Clear and Full Rim
• 0% | Of the nickels showed fading of the rim reducing it to 3/Quarters of its perimeter
• 0% | Showed a missing rim edge reduction of Half
• 0% | Had a Partial or less faded rim

Completing an examine of the Good Grade study nickels rated the obverse rim definitively. 100% displayed a defined line indicating an inner edge of the rim. Although strength of the line varied, all examples have an unbroken line along the entire inner rim. For a Liberty Nickel to meet grade standards, a Full Obverse Rim is a strong requirement.

Reverse Rim Visual Metrics

The grading inspection now turns to the condition of the rim on the reverse side. Overall, many small design details appear on the reverse. The rim acts as protection against wear, helping preserve lettering and wreath features. Height of the rim at this heavy wear stage appears as a slightly raised line. It is the amount of visible, defined inner edge that becomes important when deciding on a grade.

Notice in the illustration (fig. 7G), visibility of an inner edge varies. Many areas along the perimeter show a strong edge. In other areas the rim flattens, fades, and merges with lettering and the field. These different looks and levels of wear visually determine the rating metrics. A defined, clear line denotes a visible edge. A rounded, blurred area denotes a faded, missing edge.

Visual Rating Definitions | Reverse Rim

• Full: | The inner edge is clearly visible along the full perimeter.
• 3/Quarters: | Most of the inner edge remains visible.
• Half: | Half of the inner edge of the rim clearly visible and separate of lettering.
• Partial: | Less than half of the inner edge of the rim remains visible along the perimeter.

Rate the visibility of the reverse rim, record and score the results.

Award a Positive Score when determining a Rating of 3/Quarter to Full Rim remains with a defined inner line on its edge.

Research Data Results: Reverse Rim Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

A variety of rim detail was found on the study nickels. The percentage results indicate a useful trend pointing to rim quality within the Good Grade range.

• 74% | Of the nickels retained a visible, Full rim definition
• 19% | Showed at least a 3/Quarter remaining rim
• 7% | A small amount of the total nickels has a rim visible at least Half the perimeter
• 0% | Of the coins displayed a Partial Rim

Conclusion/Key Points: Two key points are clear. A slight amount of missing reverse rim detail allows a Liberty to grade in the Good range. Secondly, most nickels graded as Good quality have a fully visible inner edge remaining. Considering the 19% 3/Quarter category as acceptable quality results in 93% showed a full to 3/Quarter intact inner rim.

Use a 3/Quarter to Full Rim as Rating a Positive Score

Visual Metrics of Letters in Legend and CENTS

Lettering UNITES STATES OF AMERICA forms the legend encircling the wreath feature. Included in the lettering metric, CENTS runs along the bottom edge. In the Good Grade range, these letters vary in boldness and completeness. This visual metric inspects and determines any faded or missing parts of letters. Looking closely at the outer edges of each letter, judge if the letter is intact.

A total of 26 letters is in the Legend and CENTS. Use the following definitions of the metric as a Rating.

Visual Rating Definitions | Lettering of Legend

• Full: | Complete outlines define a Full Letter Metric. All edges of the letter show clearly, and the letter rises above the field.
• Partial: | Any area of the letter appears faded, with missing edges, and blends with the field or rim.

Count and record the total number of Full Letters in the Legend and CENTS

Clearly recognizable lettering contributes to aesthetic appeal of a coin's design. Inspecting and then rating each letter determines the level of preservation required to grade within the Good quality. Use these letter metrics and apply the 19 to 26 Rating as indicating a Positive Score.

Research Data Results: Reverse Rim Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Within the example coins, many showed very detailed letters. Others displayed bold letters among slightly faded letters. A standard range began to show when applying the percentages of full letters.

• 70% | Displayed at least 19 or more Full Letters
• 26% | Of the nickels were in the 13 to 18 Full Letter range
• 4% | Remained with 7 to 12 Full Letters
• 0% | Had fewer than 6 Full Letters

Conclusion/Key Points: Within the Heavy wear condition there are allowances for faded features. However, missing important parts of a coin's design becomes a strong consideration of a grade level. Missing complete words within the Legend lowers the appeal of an old Liberty nickel. This showed in the requirement to display at least 13 letters. Use the metric of 13 or More Letters as indicating a Positive Score. 96% of the study nickels placed within this very strong rating metric.

The Motto and Rating Its Visual Metrics

The Motto on the reverse is a small feature used to gauge the amount of wear. Historically this is the National Motto meaning "Out of Many, One." An important symbol on the coin. View the illustration (fig. 9G) showing its location at the top of the wreath. E PLURIBUS UNUM contains 13 letters. Each letter counts as part of the grading process. When grading these letters determine if it remains fully visible. A full letter without faded lines represents an intact design element. Use the following metrics during the inspection.

Visual Rating Definitions | Letters of the Motto

• Full: | This letter shows a complete outline
• Faded/Missing: | Parts or all of the letter has disappeared and merged with the field

Typically lettering of the Motto shows weakness overall. Inspect closely to detect faint edges completing a letter.

Research Data Results: Motto Lettering Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Tabulating the visible letter metric indicates heavy wear removes a significant amount of detail within the Motto. The following are percentage results when inspecting and rating the Good grade study nickels.

• 19% | Of the nickels had most of the letters visible
• 33% | Showed at least 3 to 7 letters
• 48% | A significant number displayed only two or less letters

Conclusion/Key Points: At the heavy wear level, clarity of the Motto shows a wide range of visibility. Almost half of the study coins, 48% display only 2 or fewer letters. By a slight margin, the other half display 3 or more letters fully visible. Given the importance of intact design elements, those coins rating in the top half clearly meet the Good grade level. Use the Metric: 3 or More Complete Letters Rates a Positive Score.

The Wreath and Defining its Visual Metrics

A wreath frames the large Roman numeral "V" on the reverse. This wreath connects at its base with a ribbon tie and remains open at the top. Intricate clusters of leaves, cotton bolls, and corn are part of the wreath's design. Wear at the Good Grade range reduces the finer details to flattened surfaces. Overall, the feature remains bold, however mostly in outline form.

Due to the extent of wear, the wreath shows few inner details. Without central detail, the grading metric becomes the wreath's outline. Inspecting the examples in the illustration (fig. 10G), notice the difference in a full outline compared to faded outline edges. A close inspection determines if the entire outer outline of the wreath remains.

Visual Rating Definitions | Wreath Outline

• Complete: | Completely Outlined: The wreath has a flattened appearance with few details.
• Faded Outline: | Any part of the wreath's outline faded and missing. Often the fading occurs at the top right side. Top ends of the wreath feature small, thin sprays. Confirm these are complete and extend from each top end of the wreath.

Many small detailed areas combine to determine the difference in a Complete or Faded Outline. Both sides of the wreath contribute to this metric. Check the Positive Score button if the entire wreath remains outlined.

Research Data Results: Wreath Outline Visual Metrics
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels

Dividing the metric into stringent requirements of Complete or Faded outlines obtained strong results. Most of the study examples remained with a fully outlined wreath. This wreath detail metric, added with other metrics, helps evaluate the entire surface of a worn Liberty nickel. Percentage results show a clear requirement of the metric.

• 70% | A clear majority of the study nickels display a Complete and clear wreath outline
• 30% | A slight fading of small areas of the outline occurred on a few nickels

Conclusion/Key Points: Use the judgment of A Complete Wreath Outline as the Positive score Metric. Liberty nickels often have uneven strike qualities on the reverse. A full outline metric of the wreath places the condition and quality of a nickel into the solid Good Grade range.

Final Visual Metric Scoring | Good Grade Liberty Nickel

Developing a Final Score identifies the visual quality necessary for a Liberty Nickel to meet Good Grade standards. The accumulation of metrics rated by percentages helps determine a coin's condition. This also indicates its place in the coin market.

Many of these nickels are highly collectible. Liberty Nickel Values show a strong premium at this grade level.

A Final Score of 5 or More Positive Metrics indicates a Liberty Nickel within the Good Grade.

Research Data Results: Final Scoring Good Grade Liberty Nickel
Study Group of 27 Good Grade Liberty Nickels Produced the Following Percentage Results

Although heavy wear and flattened devices describe the overall condition of worn Liberty nickel. 7 specific visual metrics define a distinct level of preservation. The following results when scoring these metrics give a strong indication of the coin's condition and grade.

• 41% | Rated all Metrics Positive
• 33% | Of the nickels were positive in 6 metrics
• 22% | Scored 5 metrics positive
• 4% | Rated 4 or less metrics as positive

Conclusion/Key Points: 96% of the study group scored 5 plus positive metrics. This clearly creates a measurable separation of coins of different qualities. Subtle grading points showing in the final score lend accuracy to the evaluation of condition.

5 or More Positive Metrics Rates a Positive Final Score. Award a coin at this condition level the Good Grade.

References
U.S. Mint. Symbols on Our Coins https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/us-circulating-coins
U.S. Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591

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The next step determines the value of these Liberty Nickels. Using the defined method finds a narrow range on the value chart.

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