Rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: Have you ever imagined a simple five-cent coin being worth millions? In the world of rare coin collecting, the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel stands as one of the most coveted treasures, with collectors engaged in fierce battles to acquire one. With only five specimens known to exist, these nickels have become the center of high-stakes auctions and private sales, with one recently valued at an astounding $4.5 million. I’ve been following the fascinating saga of these coins for years, and the competition among wealthy collectors to own one of these rarities continues to intensify as their value climbs. You might wonder what makes a nickel worth more than most luxury homes—it’s a combination of extreme rarity, mysterious origins, and numismatic legend.
What Makes the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel So Valuable?
The extraordinary value of the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel stems from its mysterious creation and extreme scarcity. These coins weren’t supposed to exist at all—the U.S. Mint had officially switched to the Buffalo Nickel design in 1913, yet somehow, five Liberty Head Nickels bearing that year were secretly produced. No official records of their minting exist, leading many experts to believe they were struck clandestinely by a Mint employee. The coins remained unknown until 1920 when collector Samuel Brown first exhibited them, having previously advertised to purchase any 1913 Liberty Head Nickels—raising suspicions he might have been involved in their creation. Each of the five specimens has been meticulously authenticated, with their provenance carefully documented through decades of ownership changes. The combination of their questionable origin story, perfect preservation, and the fact that no more will ever be discovered creates the perfect storm for astronomical valuation.
Why Collectors Battle Over These Rare Nickels
The competition for owning a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel transcends typical collecting—it represents the pinnacle of numismatic achievement. For elite collectors, acquiring one of these five coins is akin to owning a Picasso or a Rembrandt—it instantly elevates their collection to museum quality. The prestige associated with ownership places the collector in an exclusive club of individuals who have possessed one of America’s most legendary coins. Beyond prestige, these nickels have proven to be exceptional investments, consistently appreciating in value over decades. The last public sale saw one specimen fetch $4.5 million, representing an extraordinary return on investment for previous owners. Additionally, the colorful history of these coins—including one that was featured in a Hawaiian episode of the TV show “Hawaii Five-O” and another that was once declared a forgery—adds layers of intrigue that make them irresistible to serious collectors who appreciate not just the coin, but the stories behind it.
How These Nickels Changed Hands Through History
The journey of the five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels through various owners reads like a thriller novel, complete with mysterious disappearances and dramatic rediscoveries. After their first public appearance in 1920, the five coins remained together until the 1940s when they were separated and began their individual journeys through the hands of prominent collectors. The most famous specimen, known as the Olsen coin, achieved celebrity status when it appeared on “Hawaii Five-O” in 1973 and later became the first coin to break the $1 million barrier at auction in 1996. Another specimen, the Walton coin, was thought lost for decades following a fatal car crash involving its owner, George Walton, in 1962. The coin was mistakenly declared a fake and disappeared until 2003 when Walton’s heirs brought it to a coin convention, where experts authenticated it as one of the original five. Today, two specimens reside in museums—one at the Smithsonian Institution and another at the American Numismatic Association Museum—while the remaining three continue to trade hands among ultra-wealthy private collectors.
When Opportunities Arise to Acquire These Treasures
The chance to purchase a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel comes along rarely, creating frenzied anticipation in the collecting community. These coins typically emerge for sale only once every decade or so, usually following the death of an owner or when a collector decides to liquidate assets. Major auction houses treat these sales as landmark events, often building entire marketing campaigns around the offering of a single coin. The most recent sale occurred in 2018 when the Eliasberg specimen changed hands privately for $4.5 million. Auction houses like Stack’s Bowers and Heritage Auctions compete intensely for the privilege of handling such sales, knowing that their commission on a multi-million dollar transaction will be substantial. For collectors hoping to acquire one of these nickels, preparation often begins years in advance—establishing relationships with current owners, arranging financing, and studying the coin’s condition and provenance. When a sale is announced, potential buyers typically have only a few months to prepare their bidding strategy before facing off against other determined collectors.
The Eliasberg Specimen: A Case Study in Value
The Eliasberg specimen represents perhaps the most illustrious example of the five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels. Named after Louis E. Eliasberg Sr., the only collector to have assembled a complete collection of U.S. coins, this particular nickel has set multiple price records. When Eliasberg purchased it in 1948, he paid $2,350—a princely sum for the time. After his death, the coin was sold at auction in 1996 for $1.485 million, becoming the first coin to break the million-dollar threshold. It changed hands again in 2007 for $5 million before settling at its recent valuation of $4.5 million in a private transaction. The trajectory of this single coin demonstrates not just the financial appreciation of these rarities but also how they’ve become cultural touchstones in the collecting world. Each time the Eliasberg specimen has appeared for sale, it has generated international headlines and renewed interest in numismatics among the general public.
I find the story of these five nickels absolutely captivating—not just for their monetary value, but for what they represent in American numismatic history. Have you ever wondered what other everyday items might be hiding extraordinary value? The next time you check your change, remember that history’s most valuable discoveries sometimes come in the most unassuming packages.
