The 1887 Liberty Nickel is worth anywhere from $10 in worn condition to over $500 in high-grade mint state. Finding one of these V-nickels in your change or an old jar is an exciting discovery, as they represent a fascinating era of American coinage when the “V” design was still relatively new.

Detailed History of the 1887 V Nickel

The 1887 Liberty Head nickel, often called the “V-Nickel” because of the large Roman numeral five on the reverse, is a classic piece of Americana. Designed by Charles E. Barber, this coin was part of a series that circulated heavily during the Gilded Age. While millions were minted, finding one today in a condition that shows the fine details of Lady Liberty’s hair or the stars on the edge is quite rare. If you have found one of these coins, you might want to use a top coin identifier app to see if your specific specimen has any unique characteristics that could increase its worth.

Most 1887 nickels saw years of heavy use in general commerce. Because they were made of a copper-nickel alloy rather than silver, they were sturdy workhorses of the economy. By the time they were pulled from circulation, most had the word “LIBERTY” completely worn off the headband. If you are serious about identifying the grade of your coin accurately, you can download the CoinKnow app, which uses AI to analyze the wear patterns on your coins.

Knowing the historical context adds value beyond the monetary. In 1887, five cents could buy you a loaf of bread or a newspaper. Because these were “low value” coins at the time, few people thought to save them in pristine condition. This lack of preservation is exactly why high-grade examples command such high premiums today among collectors.

Understanding the 1887 Liberty Nickel Value and Grading

When determining the market price, condition is everything. Numismatists use a 70-point scale to grade coins. For an 1887 nickel, a “Good” grade means the coin is heavily worn but the date is still legible. A “Fine” grade requires that at least three letters of the word “LIBERTY” are visible on the crown. Once you reach “Extra Fine” or “About Uncirculated” grades, the value jumps significantly because the original luster begins to appear.

Finding the exact 1887 Liberty Nickel price for mint state specimens requires looking at recent auction records. Many of these coins were subject to “corrosion” or “environmental damage” over the last 130 years, so a clean, undamaged surface is a major plus. Using a tool like CoinKnow can help you compare your coin against high-resolution images of various grades.

It is important to note that the 1887 nickel does not have a mint mark. All nickels from this year were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Unlike the 1887 silver dollar, which has different values based on whether it was minted in New Orleans or San Francisco, the 1887 nickel is more straightforward. For those also interested in silver coins, you can check the 1887 silver dollar value guide to see how nickel pricing compares to larger silver denominations of the same year.

1887 Liberty Nickel Price Chart

To help you get a quick idea of what your coin might be worth, we have compiled a price table based on average market conditions. Please remember that professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC can affect these prices.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Good (G-4)	$10.00 – $15.00
Very Good (VG-8)	$18.00 – $25.00
Fine (F-12)	$35.00 – $45.00
Very Fine (VF-20)	$60.00 – $85.00
Extra Fine (EF-40)	$120.00 – $160.00
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$210.00 – $275.00
Uncirculated (MS-60)	$350.00 – $450.00
Mint State (MS-63+)	$550.00+

What Makes the 1887 V-Nickel Special

One reason the 1887 Liberty Nickel remains popular among collectors is its place in the “cents-less” controversy. Although the 1883 version was the one famously used by fraudsters to plate in gold and pass off as $5 coins, the design that followed—which includes the word “CENTS” at the bottom of the reverse—carried through to 1887. This makes the 1887 a representative of the corrected, permanent design of the series.

Collectors also look for “Proof” versions of the 1887 nickel. Proof coins were struck specifically for collectors using polished dies and planchets, resulting in a mirror-like finish. An 1887 Proof nickel can be worth significantly more than a standard business strike, often exceeding $600 if it is in pristine condition. If you think you might have a proof coin, using the CoinKnow app to identify the sharpness of the strike can be a great first step before sending it off for professional grading.

The 1887 is not considered a “key date” like the 1885 or 1886, but it is certainly more valuable than the common dates from the early 1900s. It sits in a “sweet spot” for many hobbyists—it is old enough to be rare, yet affordable enough for a casual collector to own a piece of the 19th century.

Tips for Selling Your 1887 Liberty Nickel

If you decide to sell your coin, do not clean it! This is the most important rule in coin collecting. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or even a soft cloth can leave microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. A dirty, original coin is almost always worth more than a shiny, cleaned one. Instead, keep it in a protective sleeve or a simple cardboard flip to prevent further wear.

When you are ready to sell, check multiple sources for pricing. Look at sold listings on eBay rather than “active” listings, as active listings only show what people hope to get, not what they actually receive. Local coin shops are great for quick cash, but they need to make a profit, so expect an offer slightly below the market wholesale price.

Whether you are holding onto the coin as an investment or looking to cash out, knowing its true identity is vital. The CoinKnow mobile app can help you organize your collection and provides real-time updates on market trends, ensuring you don’t sell a valuable rarity for less than it’s worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1887 Liberty Nickel?

A: The 1887 Liberty Nickel does not have a mint mark. During this year, all nickels were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. At that time, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a “P” mark on its coins.

Q: How can I tell if my 1887 nickel is a Proof?

A: Proof coins usually have very sharp details with squared-off edges and a mirror-like background. If the field (the flat part) of the coin reflects light like a mirror while the design looks frosted, it may be a proof strike.

Q: Is the 1887 Nickel rare?

A: While it is not the rarest in the series, it is much harder to find than Liberty nickels from the early 1910s. With a mintage of about 15 million, it is considered a “semi-scarce” date, especially in higher grades.

Q: What is the most expensive 1887 V-Nickel ever sold?

A: Exceptionally high-grade examples (MS-67 or higher) have sold for several thousand dollars at major auction houses, but these are incredibly rare and usually belong to high-end collections.