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1906 P Liberty Head Nickel (V Nickel) For Grading

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Errers and Varietys's Avatar
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59582 Posts
 Posted 05/14/2025  2:24 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I just want to get some input on what grade it is. I'm trying to work on and improve my grading skills. I struggle with grading some denominations still. I have this at Good. Do you agree on the Good grade?

Errers and Varietys.
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fortcollins's Avatar
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3085 Posts
 Posted 05/14/2025  3:38 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add fortcollins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Liberty nickels are struck in such low relief that preservation of the design elements depends heavily on the strength of the rim. When the rim breaks down, the rest of the design elements go quickly.

To me, the wholeness of the obverse rim and separation of the reverse letters from the rim are key distinctions between AG-03 and G-04. I look for three things:
Can the entire obverse rim be seen at all? In other words, even if it is minimal, is it complete? Are all 13 of the obverse stars separate from the rim, even minimally?
For Liberty's design, is her ear hole distinct enough to tell that it is an ear? Is there any distinction between the curl on her cap and the leaves, or does it look like she's sitting there with a turtle on her head?
On the reverse, are the letters separate from the rim, even if the rim itself isn't complete?

On your coin, I can't quite see the area of stars 9-13 and the rim closest to them to tell if it is visible, but that is where I would focus. The rest of the coin looks like it would make G-04.
Edited by fortcollins
05/14/2025 3:39 pm
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Errers and Varietys's Avatar
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59582 Posts
 Posted 05/14/2025  3:44 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Great information, fortcollins! Thank you very much for the detailed reply. I appreciate it.
Errers and Varietys.
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fortcollins's Avatar
United States
3085 Posts
 Posted 05/14/2025  6:35 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add fortcollins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I played with your photo a bit. Here's the result:



There is just barely a complete rim, and stars 11 and 13 are just separate from it. I think this one makes G-04 by the skin of its teeth.

The reverse is stronger on your coin, and EPU is mostly readable. That isn't always true for G-04 coins. Sometimes it's missing completely.

IMHO, that makes it a good example for a grading set. What helps the most in a grading set is to find the weakest coin you can find that barely makes each grade. For lower grade Liberty nickels in particular, having the bottom coins you can find for FR-02, AG-03, G-04, G-06, VG-08, VG-10, and F-12 is worth the time and effort. Weakest-possible example coins for FR-02 through G-06 are readily available in dealer junk boxes, with a little effort. VG-08, VG-10, and F-12 may require searching through 2x2 boxes and albums. You probably won't need a PO-01 or F-15 or higher, since everything below your FR-02 has to be a PO-01 and the F-15 and higher coins have much easier identifying traits.

That's part of the trouble with online grading photos. The sites tend to pick a good example of each grade, but that isn't what people need when looking at coins in the wild. Having the lowest possible coin for each grade is much more helpful.

Just some thoughts.

Good example coin!
Edited by fortcollins
05/14/2025 6:39 pm
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Errers and Varietys's Avatar
United States
59582 Posts
 Posted 05/14/2025  7:41 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Once again, thank you for your input! I enjoyed reading your comment. My guess was Good for the grade.
Errers and Varietys.
Edited by Errers and Varietys
05/14/2025 7:42 pm
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psuman08's Avatar
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1541 Posts
 Posted 05/15/2025  08:43 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add psuman08 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Ft Collins has forgotten more than I know. That said I would not consider this coin a good. To me the rim is gone at S10, thus AG.
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Errers and Varietys's Avatar
United States
59582 Posts
 Posted 05/15/2025  11:49 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thank you, psuman08 for your comment. I know the pictures aren't the best, but the rim is there, just barely.
Errers and Varietys.
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