1888 Nickel MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop David Lawrence Rare Coins

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop CAC

1888 Nickel MS Values

Details

The 1888 Liberty Nickel is of relatively average scarcity for the series and is actually very popular among the 1880's dates. Common through MS65 which is fairly tough in its own right. High-end gems are rare. Especially those without spotting and full striking.

Obverse: Lady Liberty with the word LIBERTY on her crown faces left with 13 stars around the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom center.

Reverse: Large V (roman numeral 5) is centered in the design surrounded by an ornate wreath with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS * around the periphery. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM appears near the top between the wreath and letters STATES OF AME.

Basic Information

GSID:

2953

Coin Date:

1888

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Philadelphia

Mintage:

10,167,901

Coinage Type:

Liberty head nickel

Coinage Years:

1883-1912

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

5 gr

Weight:

0.1608 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.2 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

Charles E. Barber

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, 1888

Obverse Designer:

Charles Barber

Reverse Lettering:

V, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, CENTS

Reverse Designer:

Charles Barber

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Coinfully
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
In Memory of Joel Iskowitz, Coin Designer
In Memory of Joel Iskowitz, Coin Designer
6/5/2026

Joel Iskowitz, who designed more than 50 coins and medals for the United States Mint, has died at the age of 79.

United States Mint Kicks Off Sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Commemorative Coins June 4
United States Mint Kicks Off Sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Commemorative Coins June 4
6/4/2026

The United States Mint has begun accepting pre-orders for products in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Commemorative Coin Program.

Proof Sets Through History
Proof Sets Through History
6/4/2026

It is imperative that you research any Proof set before purchasing in order to determine the number of silver coins, the fineness, and the total weight of the silver content as they vary from year to year and from type of Proof set.