The 1913 Liberty Nickel: The $100,000 Mystery Behind Five Forbidden Coins

Are you building out your nickel collection and are curious about the 1913 nickel?
If you’re expanding your nickel collection, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the most intriguing coins you’ll come across. Whether you’re new to collecting or have years of experience, this guide will help you understand the value, history, and unique features of the mysterious 1913 nickel.

Only five of these rare coins are known to exist, which has kept collectors interested for generations. No one knows for sure why they were created, and that mystery only adds to their appeal. In this article, we’ll look at their background, special traits, how to identify real ones, and what you need to know before adding one to your collection.

Let’s dive in—how much is the 1913 nickel worth?

1913 Liberty Nickel Head Value Chart

Specimen Name	Grade	Latest Sale Price	Year Sold
Eliasberg Specimen	PR66	$4,560,000	2018
Olsen Specimen	PR64	$3,290,000	2013
Walton Specimen	PR63	$3,737,500	2010
McDermott Specimen	PR62	$1,485,000	1996
Norweb Specimen	PR63	Private Sale	N/A

History Of The 1913 Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel was never released for public use. Only five are known to exist, and their creation is still a mystery. The U.S. Mint stopped producing Liberty Head nickels in 1912, making the appearance of a 1913 version very unusual. These coins were likely made at the Philadelphia Mint.

Many believe Samuel W. Brown, a former mint worker, secretly struck the coins and later sold them for profit. Over the years, all five coins have sold for large sums, with one even reaching over $5 million. Each coin is named after a past owner: Eliasberg, Olsen, Norweb, McDermott, and Walton. This was also the first U.S. coin to sell for more than $100,000.

Features Of The 1913 Nickel
Though it looks like earlier Liberty Head nickels, the 1913 version has several details that make it special.

Obverse (Front)
The front of the coin shows Lady Liberty with her hair pulled back, wearing a crown marked “LIBERTY.” Thirteen stars circle her head, representing the original colonies. The date “1913” is at the bottom.

Reverse (Back)
On the back, a large “V” (Roman numeral for 5) represents the coin’s value. A wreath of corn, wheat, and cotton surrounds the V. Around the edges are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The word “CENTS” appears at the bottom.

Other Details

• Diameter: 21.2 mm
• Weight: 5 grams
• Edge: Smooth
• Metal: 75% copper, 25% nickel
• Mintmark: None (Philadelphia Mint)

1913 Nickel Value Guides

Each 1913 Liberty Head nickel is named after a past owner and has its own story. Let’s look at the value of each one:

1913 Nickel Eliasberg Specimen

Graded PR66, this is the finest known example. It changed hands several times, with its price growing with each sale. It sold for $4.6 million in 2018, making it one of the most expensive coins ever.

1913 Nickel Olsen-Hydeman Specimen

This coin gained fame after being featured in the TV show “Hawaii Five-O.” It was once owned by King Farouk of Egypt and has been sold many times, most recently for over $3.7 million.

1913 Nickel Norweb Specimen

Now housed in the Smithsonian Institution, this coin has also passed through the hands of King Farouk. It was eventually donated to the museum by Ambassador Henry Norweb in 1978.

1913 Nickel Walton Specimen

This coin was thought to be lost after its owner, George Walton, died in a car accident. It was later rediscovered and authenticated in 2003. In 2022, it sold for $4.2 million to GreatCollections Coin Auctions.

1913 McDermott-Bebee Specimen

This is the only 1913 Liberty Head nickel to show signs of wear from circulation. After McDermott’s death, it was sold to collector Aubrey Bebee, who later donated it to the ANA Money Museum, where it is still displayed.

1913 Nickel Grading

The five known specimens are graded as Proof coins, with grades ranging from PR55 to PR66:

• Eliasberg: PR66
• Olsen-Hydeman: PR64
• Walton: PR63
• Norweb: PR62
• McDermott-Bebee: PR55

Because these coins are so rare, counterfeits exist. If you’re considering buying one, always go through trusted grading services like PCGS or NGC.

1913 Nickel Errors

None of the known 1913 Liberty Head nickels have official minting errors. However, the coin itself is an example of a date error—since Liberty Head nickels should have ended in 1912, not 1913.

Where To Sell Your 1913 Nickel?

Ready to sell your coin? There are many trusted online platforms where collectors buy and sell valuable coins. Just make sure to use reputable services.