Ashley
The 1913 Liberty Nickel sits at the top of American numismatics because only five examples are confirmed to exist.
No official U.S. Mint records list a Liberty Head nickel dated 1913, yet the coins surfaced soon after the Mint changed designs to the Buffalo nickel that same year.
That mix of five-known population, an “impossible” date, and the coin’s long, public trail through museums and high-profile auctions gives it unmatched prestige among U.S. rare coins.
A Backstory Full Of Intrigue
In 1913, the Mint discontinued the Liberty design in favor of the Buffalo motif. Nonetheless, five Liberty Head nickels bearing the 1913 date appeared shortly thereafter.
The leading theory is that they were clandestinely struck at the Philadelphia Mint, likely by or connected to a Mint insider.
Within a few years, former Mint employee Samuel W. Brown publicly promoted and displayed the pieces, setting off a century of fascination.
The coins then passed through legendary cabinets, building pedigrees that collectors still revere today.
Record-Setting Sales And Grades
The market performance of the 1913 Liberty Nickel cemented its myth.
One example became the first U.S. coin to surpass $1 million at public auction in the 1990s and later realized $4.56 million in 2018 (Eliasberg specimen).
Another (Walton specimen) sold for $3.17 million in 2013 and later changed hands in a $4.2 million private transaction in 2022.
The finest-known piece is certified around PR66 by a top grading service—extraordinary for a coin over a century old—and even the lowest-preserved specimen still commands multi-million-dollar attention when it trades.
Where The Five Coins Are Today
Two examples are permanently accessible to the public—one at the Smithsonian and one at the ANA Money Museum—while three reside in elite private collections.
The blend of museum display and private ownership keeps the story in the headlines and ensures that the coins are both studied by scholars and coveted by top-tier collectors.
The Five Known Specimens (At A Glance)
| Specimen (Nickname) | Current Location | Reported Grade | Notable Price / Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliasberg | Private collection | PR66 (approx.) | $4.56M (2018 public auction) |
| Walton | Private collection | PR63 (approx.) | $3.17M (2013); ~$4.2M private sale (2022) |
| Olsen (“Hawaii Five-O”) | Private collection | PR64 (approx.) | $3.74M (2010 public auction) |
| McDermott/Bebee | ANA Money Museum | Circulation-marked | Donated; on public exhibit |
| Norweb | Smithsonian (NNC) | Museum specimen | Donated; on public exhibit |
Grades above are widely reported approximations from leading services; slight differences may appear in specific references over time.
How It Compares To Other U.S. Rarities
America has a handful of iconic rarities—the 1804 Dollar, 1894-S Barber Dime, and certain unique patterns—but the 1913 Liberty Nickel stands apart because it is a regular-design coin with a fixed population of five, a mysterious origin story, and a public footprint that includes two world-class museums.
Add the repeated multi-million-dollar results, and it’s easy to see why many collectors call it America’s rarest coin.
Key Facts At A Glance
- Mintage: Unrecorded; believed clandestine (1913 date on an obsolete design).
- Known Population: Five coins.
- Public Access: Two in museums; three in private hands.
- Market Milestones: First U.S. coin to break $1,000,000 at auction; public record around $4.56M; private trade reported near $4.2M.
- Cultural Fame: Featured on TV (“Hawaii Five-O”) and in countless books and exhibits.
The 1913 Liberty Nickel remains the ultimate trophy of American coin collecting because it combines extreme scarcity, a cloak-and-dagger origin, museum-level prestige, and record-shattering auction history.
With only five known, two on public display, and three cherished in private vaults, the coin’s legend grows each time a specimen reappears.
Until another U.S. rarity can match that five-coin mystique plus its market clout, the 1913 Liberty Nickel will continue to reign as America’s rarest coin.
FAQs
How Many 1913 Liberty Nickels Exist?
Exactly five are confirmed—two in museums and three in private collections.
What Is The Highest Price Paid?
The top public auction is about $4.56 million (Eliasberg specimen), with another example reportedly selling privately for around $4.2 million.
Why Weren’t They Officially Minted?
The Liberty design ended in 1912. Evidence suggests the 1913-dated pieces were unofficially struck at the Mint, likely by an insider, which explains their absence from the Mint’s official records.