The First-Ever "Racketeer" Nickel

Click to Enlarge ImageClick to Get a Printer Friendly Page
"Racketeer" Nickel
Item # 006849 
1883 5-Cent Rackateer No-Cent Nickel, Very Fine Condition 
Price: $19.95
QTY:

Country:
 U.S.A.
Date:
 1883
Purity:
 .750/.250
Denomination:
 5  Cents
Weight:
 5 g
Diameter:
 21.2 mm
Condition:
 Very Fine
Obverse:
 Liberty, 13 stars, date
Reverse:
 "United States of America", Roman numeral 5 (V), laurel leaves, "E Pluribus Unum"
First struck in 1883, Liberty Head Nickels displayed only a large V to indicate 5-cents. Many criminals soon plated them with gold and passed them off as 'new' $5 gold coins. The U.S. Mint quickly added the word CENTS to all subsequent issues and today few 1883 Racketeer nickels exist. Now you can get one in Very Fine condition.