1890 5C Liberty Nickel

Ron Guth

Though none of the Philadelphia-produced Liberty Nickels are rare (with the unusual exception of the 1913), the 1890 Liberty Nickel is slightly less common than most and is on par with the 1895 and 1896.  The 1890 Nickel is easy to find in circulated grades and in Mint State grades up to MS-64.  Gems (MS-65) are semi-scarce and the optimal grade (per the PCGS Population Report as of September 2011) is MS-66.  The finest example certified by PCGS is a single MS-66+.