1909 5C MS66 认证号18319564, PCGS号3870

Mintage: 11,585,763; Weight: 5 grams; Composition: .750 copper, .250 nickel; Diameter: 21.2 mm; Plain Edge; Designer: Charles E. Barber ===== Purchased from Heritage CSNS U.S. Coin Auction #1124 – May 2009. With the exception of the two branch mint issues, and of course ultra-famous 1913, all 20th century Liberty Nickels are basically common dates based on their mintages. That said, the 1909 Liberty Nickel is the lowest mintage Philadelphia Liberty Nickel of the 20th century, though it really does not become a condition rarity until the MS66 level. The present example displays stunning luster and remarkably well struck design elements. The coin is essentially untoned, both sides of the piece are distraction-free, and surface marks of any kind are virtually nonexistent. Neither of the major grading services has certified a higher graded example of this date as of my purchase.

Ron Guth

1909 saw a precipitous drop in the mintage of the Liberty Head Nickels -- to a level that had not been seen since the late 1890s.  Even so, the mintage is large enough (11+ million coins) to make this a common date, though it sells for a tiny premium across most grade levels.  As usual for this time period, the highest certified grades for this date stop at the MS66 level, and PCGS has certified only one MS66+ as their finest.

A look at the images above, where we illustrate six of the ten finest-known examples reveals the character of the 1909 Nickel.  Most are very nicely struck, with nearly full details, and each possesses clean surfaces with exceptional luster ranging from frosty to brilliant.  These qualities should be an attainable goal.