1910 Liberty Head Nickel obverse and reverse showing Lady Liberty portrait and large V numeral

The 1910 Liberty Nickel Value Guide

A 1910 Liberty Nickel graded PR-67 Deep Cameo sold for $14,100 at Heritage Auctions — yet a worn circulated example might fetch just $3–$5. Your coin's value is determined by condition, strike quality, and whether it's a proof or regular-strike issue. This guide gives you every data point you need.

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$14,100
Top proof sale (PR-67 DCAM, Heritage 2012)
30.2M
Regular-strike coins minted (Philadelphia)
2,405
Proof coins struck for collectors in 1910
MS-67
Finest regular-strike grade known (1 example)

Free 1910 Liberty Nickel Value Calculator

Select your coin's mint, condition, and any known errors to get an estimated value range based on real auction data.

Step 1 — Mint Mark
Step 2 — Condition
Step 3 — Known Errors or Varieties (check all that apply)

If you're not yet sure of the mint mark, condition, or errors on your coin, there's a 1910 Liberty Nickel Coin Value Checker tool that lets you upload photos and get an instant estimate without knowing any of those details first.

Describe Your 1910 Nickel for a Detailed Assessment

Describe what you see on your coin and our analyzer will identify likely varieties, condition clues, and value indicators.

Mention these things if you can

  • Mint mark location (below V on reverse)
  • Letters visible in LIBERTY headband
  • Condition of hair detail above the ear
  • Corn ear sharpness on reverse wreath
  • Presence or absence of mint luster

Also helpful

  • Mirror-like or frosted appearance (proof?)
  • Any irregularity in shape or size
  • Edge condition and any irregularity
  • Color: gray, brown, iridescent toning
  • Any slab or holder present

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Is Your 1910 Nickel a Proof Cameo? Self-Checker

The 1910 Proof Cameo and Deep Cameo Liberty Nickel is the single most valuable variety of this date. Use this tool to determine if your coin displays proof characteristics.

Side-by-side comparison of a regular-strike 1910 Liberty Nickel and a Proof Cameo example showing frosted devices against mirror fields

Common Regular-Strike 1910 Nickel

  • Even, satiny luster across fields and devices
  • No dramatic contrast between portrait and field
  • Fields may show bag marks from contact with other coins
  • Edge is plain (no reeding), coin struck from normal working dies
— vs —

Proof / Proof Cameo 1910 Nickel (Rare — Worth $300–$14,000+)

  • Mirror-bright fields reflect like a glass surface
  • Liberty's portrait appears frosted (cameo) or strongly frosted (deep cameo)
  • Struck multiple times from polished dies on polished planchets
  • Sharp, squared-off rims typical of proof striking

Check all four characteristics that apply to your coin:

1910 Liberty Nickel Value Chart at a Glance

Values below are based on recent auction results and dealer price guides. For a complete in-depth 1910 Liberty nickel identification walkthrough with grading photos, the CoinValueApp reference is an excellent companion resource.

Variety Worn (G–VG) Circulated (F–XF) Uncirculated (AU–MS62) Gem (MS63–MS66+)
Regular Strike (P) $2.50 – $5 $19 – $38 $73 – $155 $175 – $1,900+
Broadstrike Error $15 – $40 $50 – $120 $150 – $350 $400 – $800+
Off-Center Strike $30 – $75 $80 – $200 $200 – $500 $600+
Clipped Planchet $20 – $50 $60 – $150 $150 – $350 $400 – $700+
Proof (Regular) $150 – $250 $250 – $400 $400 – $700 $700 – $3,000+
Proof Deep Cameo (DCAM) $500 – $1,200 $1,200 – $4,000 $4,000 – $14,100+

* Proof Deep Cameo values require authentication by PCGS or NGC. "Worn" column for DCAM proofs is N/A as proof coins typically remain in high grades. Rows highlighted in gold = signature variety; red = rarest/highest value.

📱 CoinHix can cross-check your coin's condition against a growing database of graded examples for a fast on-the-go value estimate — a coin identifier and value app.

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The Valuable 1910 Liberty Nickel Errors (Complete Guide)

The 1910 Liberty Nickel was produced entirely at Philadelphia — with no branch-mint issues making it unusual compared to later dates — but die-press and planchet accidents still occurred during the high-volume striking of over 30 million coins. The error varieties below are the ones that generate real collector premiums, listed from most recognized to most dramatic.

1910 Liberty Nickel broadstrike error showing wider-than-normal diameter with spread rim and full design
Most Famous $40 – $350+

Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike occurs when a planchet is fed into the coining press without the retaining collar in place. The collar's job is to constrain the expanding metal during the strike and impart the coin's precise diameter of 21.20 mm. Without it, the metal flows outward freely, producing a coin that is measurably wider and noticeably thinner at the edges.

Visual identification is straightforward: the coin will appear to have no rim or a very weak, flattened rim, and it will measure noticeably wider than a normal 1910 Liberty Nickel. The design itself is usually complete and well-struck in the center — the broadstrike doesn't affect die contact quality, only containment.

Collectors prize broadstrikes because they are unambiguous, easy to authenticate without specialized equipment, and visually dramatic. Value depends heavily on how well-centered the strike is and the coin's overall grade. Dramatic examples where the spread is pronounced and the full design is still centered command the strongest premiums.

How to spot it

Measure the coin's diameter with calipers. Any reading significantly above 21.20 mm confirms a broadstrike. Also check for an absent or very weak rim — normal nickels have a strong raised rim all around.

Mint mark

Philadelphia only (no mint mark); all 1910 regular strikes are Philadelphia.

Notable

Liberty Nickel broadstrikes are infrequently offered at auction, making each appearance noteworthy. Well-centered, dramatically spread examples have sold for several hundred dollars. Attribution is straightforward — no CONECA designation needed; physical measurement is the diagnostic.

1910 Liberty Nickel off-center strike error showing design shifted with crescent of blank planchet visible
Rarest $80 – $600+

Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes result when a planchet feeds into the coining press misaligned relative to the dies. Instead of the blank sitting perfectly centered, it sits askew, causing the dies to strike only a portion of the planchet. The result is a coin with the design shifted to one side and a crescent of blank, unstruck metal visible on the opposite side.

The degree of off-centering is measured as a percentage: a 10% off-center coin has the design only slightly shifted; a 50% off-center coin shows half of the design. Importantly, the date must remain visible on the 1910 nickel for the coin to carry a significant premium — dateless off-centers have minimal collector value compared to ones where the year 1910 is fully readable.

More dramatic off-center percentages (40–60%) with the date intact are the most desirable. The coin must also retain enough of the Liberty portrait to be identified as the correct type. Extremely dramatic off-centers are very rare for this date given the Philadelphia Mint's generally careful production runs.

How to spot it

Look for a crescent of blank, smooth planchet metal on one side of the coin while the obverse design is shifted in the opposite direction. Confirm the date 1910 is still fully visible with a loupe — this is critical for value.

Mint mark

Philadelphia only (no mint mark); 1910 was not struck at Denver or San Francisco.

Notable

Off-center Liberty Nickels are seldom offered — when they appear, they attract strong specialist bidding. A well-centered 40%+ off-center 1910 Liberty Nickel with the full date visible can exceed $500 at online auction. PCGS and NGC both encapsulate these as error coins.

1910 Liberty Nickel clipped planchet error showing curved bite missing from coin edge
Most Valuable Error $50 – $400+

Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchet errors occur during the blanking process, before the coin is struck. A steel rod punches circular blanks from a long strip of metal. If the rod overlaps a section of strip that was already punched (creating a hole), the resulting blank will have a curved bite taken out of it — a curved clip. Straight clips occur when the punch overlaps the edge of the strip itself.

Once clipped, this incomplete blank enters the hopper along with normal blanks and eventually reaches the coining press, which strikes it normally. The resulting coin has all normal design elements but is missing a section of its edge. On the 1910 Liberty Nickel, the missing section creates a distinctly abnormal outline immediately recognizable even without magnification.

Value is primarily driven by the size and type of the clip. Large curved clips — those removing 15–25% of the planchet — are more desirable than small straight clips. Coins where the Blakesley effect (a corresponding weakness in the design directly opposite the clip) is visible are considered the most diagnostically clear and command the highest premiums from error specialists.

How to spot it

Examine the coin's edge with a 10× loupe. A curved clip will show a smooth, rounded indentation; a straight clip shows a flat, squared-off section. Look for the Blakesley effect: a corresponding area of weakly struck design directly across the coin from the clip.

Mint mark

Philadelphia only (no mint mark) for all 1910 Liberty Nickel issues.

Notable

The Blakesley effect is the key diagnostic that separates a genuine clipped planchet from a coin that was simply damaged post-mint. PCGS and NGC use the Blakesley effect confirmation as part of their authentication process for clipped planchet errors. Large curved clips on high-grade examples are rare.

1910 Liberty Nickel brockage error showing mirror-image incuse impression of the Liberty portrait on the reverse
Best Kept Secret $200 – $1,000+

Brockage Error

A brockage is one of the most dramatic and visually striking mint errors found on any denomination. It occurs when a previously struck coin sticks to one of the dies (usually the hammer die) and remains there when the next blank planchet is fed into the press. The stuck coin acts as an improvised die, impressing its design into the new planchet — but in mirror-image and incuse (recessed), rather than raised.

The result is a coin with one normal face and one face showing the mirror-image, incuse impression of the other side. On a 1910 Liberty Nickel brockage, one face will show the normal Liberty portrait raised as expected, while the other shows a backward, sunken Liberty portrait where the reverse wreath and V should be. The detail can be extraordinary — essentially a "negative" of the obverse pressed into the reverse planchet.

Brockages are dramatically rare on Liberty Nickels. Most surviving examples show partial brockage (the stuck coin shifted slightly before the next strike), with full brockages being exceptionally uncommon. Any confirmed 1910 Liberty Nickel brockage will attract intense specialist interest and command a significant premium far above normal error premiums for this date.

How to spot it

One face shows the normal raised design; the other displays a mirror-image, incuse (recessed) impression of the same or opposite die. Use a 10× loupe — the incuse detail is typically sharp and reads in reverse when viewed directly.

Mint mark

Philadelphia only (no mint mark). 1910 had no branch mint production.

Notable

Liberty Nickel brockages in any grade are extremely rare — libertynickels.org documents this error type as among the scarcest for the entire series. A confirmed, full-brockage example on a 1910 Liberty Nickel would be a significant numismatic discovery warranting immediate PCGS or NGC submission for encapsulation and attribution.

1910 Liberty Nickel Proof Deep Cameo showing mirror fields and frosted Liberty portrait with dramatic cameo contrast
Most Valuable $500 – $14,100+

Proof Deep Cameo (DCAM)

The 1910 Proof Liberty Nickel was struck at Philadelphia using specially prepared, highly polished dies and polished planchets. The Philadelphia Mint produced 2,405 proofs this year, making them genuinely scarce. Within the proof population, coins displaying deep cameo (DCAM) contrast — where the frosting on Liberty's portrait is especially dramatic against the mirror-bright fields — are the rarest and most desirable subset.

Visually, a deep cameo proof is immediately distinct from a regular strike. Hold the coin under a single light source and tilt it: the fields will reflect like a mirror while Liberty's portrait and all lettering appear sharply frosted or "white." In the most spectacular examples, the contrast is so strong that the coin appears almost black-and-white. This effect is produced by the interplay between the polished die fields (which create mirror surfaces) and the sandblasted or frosted die devices (which scatter light).

The top auction result for this date — $14,100 at Heritage Auctions in 2012 for a PR-67 Deep Cameo PCGS CAC — reflects the intense demand for the finest cameo proofs. Even a PR-65 DCAM example in a holder can exceed several thousand dollars. Any suspected 1910 proof should be submitted to PCGS or NGC before sale, as authentication is essential and the grading designation (CAM vs DCAM) dramatically affects realized price.

How to spot it

Under a single raking light source, the coin's fields (background) must reflect like a mirror, while Liberty's portrait, stars, and lettering appear sharply frosted or white. Both criteria must be met simultaneously for the DCAM designation — frosting alone or mirror fields alone is insufficient.

Mint mark

Philadelphia only (no mint mark). Proofs were produced exclusively at Philadelphia for the entire Liberty series.

Notable

The record sale is $14,100 (PR-67 DCAM PCGS CAC, Heritage Auctions, May 2022). A PR-67 Cameo (non-DCAM) sold for $7,637.50 at Heritage in 2012. PCGS #3908 is the cataloging designation for the regular 1910 proof; DCAM examples carry an additional designation suffix. Total proof mintage: 2,405 coins.

Found one of these errors on your 1910 Liberty Nickel? Run it through the calculator to get an estimated value range based on your specific coin's grade.

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1910 Liberty Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Historical group of 1910 Liberty Nickels in various grades from well-worn Good to uncirculated Mint State
Issue Mint Mintage Notes
1910 Regular Strike Philadelphia (P) 30,166,948 Common date; large surviving population in lower grades
1910 Proof Philadelphia (P) 2,405 Sold to collectors; includes regular proof, cameo, and deep cameo
Total 1910 Production 30,169,353 All from Philadelphia; no branch mint issues in 1910
Composition Specs: 75% copper, 25% nickel · Weight: 5.00 grams · Diameter: 21.20 mm · Edge: Plain · Designer: Charles E. Barber · Series: Liberty Head Five Cents (1883–1912) · PCGS #3871 (regular strike), #3908 (proof)
Survival note: Despite a mintage of over 30 million, superb-gem survivors are dramatically scarce. PCGS reports only a handful of coins grading MS-66 or higher, with a single MS-67 as the finest known regular strike. In Mint State overall (MS-60 and above), several hundred examples are known — generous by key-date standards but thin by comparison to the original mintage. Most 1910 Liberty Nickels in circulation today grade G through VF.

How to Grade Your 1910 Liberty Nickel

Grading strip showing 1910 Liberty Nickels in four grades: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Mint State

Worn (Good to Very Good — G4 to VG8)

Liberty's portrait is flat with most hair detail gone. The LIBERTY headband letters are partially visible — Good requires a readable date and bold outline; Very Good requires at least three LIBERTY letters clear. The reverse V and wreath outline remain but inner leaf details are merged. No luster visible anywhere.

Typical value: $2.50 – $5

Circulated (Fine to Extremely Fine — F12 to XF45)

Fine shows LIBERTY fully readable with moderate wear flattening hair strands and wheat/cotton above the headband. Extremely Fine retains sharp letter edges in the headband and visible individual hair strands above Liberty's ear. Corn ears on the reverse still show some kernel definition. Partial luster may cling in protected recesses on XF examples.

Typical value: $19 – $73

Uncirculated (About Uncirculated to MS62 — AU50 to MS62)

AU coins retain 50–90% original luster with only the slightest wear on Liberty's cheek and the hair above her ear. Mint State coins show no trace of wear at any point — confirm by rotating under a single light, watching for full luster bands across the entire surface. MS-60 to MS-62 may have scattered bag marks or weak strike areas but must remain fully unworn.

Typical value: $73 – $155

Gem (MS63 to MS66+ and Proof grades)

MS-63 coins have good luster and only minor contact marks. MS-64 shows near-perfect surfaces with strong eye appeal. For MS-65, the strike must be sharp: individually defined hair strands above Liberty's ear and crisp, separated corn kernels on the reverse wreath — both are diagnostic for Gem qualification. MS-66 and above are rare, with only a dozen or so examples confirmed. Proofs are separately graded on the PR scale.

Typical value: $175 – $14,100+ (proof)
Pro Tip — Strike vs. Wear: The 1910 Liberty Nickel's 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy is exceptionally hard and required very high striking pressure. Many coins left the mint with a weakly struck corn ear on the lower-left reverse — directly opposite Liberty's fore curls on the obverse, the point of greatest metal displacement. This is a mint production characteristic, not wear. A coin with a soft corn ear but fully lustrous, unworn surfaces is still Mint State; don't downgrade it for this strike weakness. Conversely, look for full hair-strand definition above the ear as the primary uncirculated check point.

🔍 CoinHix lets you match your coin's condition against its catalog of certified examples to sharpen your grade estimate before submitting — a coin identifier and value app.

Where to Sell Your Valuable 1910 Liberty Nickel

The best venue depends on your coin's grade and whether it's a proof, error, or regular strike. Here's how to match your coin to the right market.

🏛️ Heritage Auctions

Best for Gem Mint State (MS-65+), proof coins of any grade, and confirmed error pieces. Heritage's numismatic specialists reach the deepest pool of serious Liberty Nickel collectors. Expect consignment minimums and a 15–20% buyer's premium, but realized prices for premium material justify the process. Their auction archives are the benchmark for this date's value record.

📦 eBay

Ideal for circulated coins in the G–XF range and uncirculated examples up to MS-64. The recent sold prices for 1910 Liberty Nickel listings on eBay show strong demand, with MS-64 examples regularly bringing $200–$270 from competitive bidding. Use completed listings to set your starting price. PCGS or NGC holders command significant premiums over raw (ungraded) coins.

🏪 Local Coin Shop

Good for quick, no-hassle sales of G–VF coins where speed matters more than maximum price. A reputable dealer will pay 50–70% of retail for common-grade 1910 nickels. Get multiple quotes — at least two shops — before accepting. If your coin is AU or better, a dealer may recommend sending it to PCGS/NGC before buying, which signals the coin is worth more than a quick shop price.

💬 Reddit (r/Coins4Sale, r/CoinSwap)

Good for reaching collector-to-collector transactions without auction fees. Post high-resolution photos in both obverse and reverse, disclose any flaws honestly, and price using recent eBay completed sales as your anchor. Useful for mid-grade circulated coins or interesting problem-free examples that don't meet the minimum bar for major auction houses.

💡 Get It Graded First: If your 1910 Liberty Nickel shows proof characteristics, a significant error, or appears to grade MS-63 or higher, professional grading by PCGS (pcgs.com) or NGC substantially increases buyer confidence and typically more than pays for itself in the higher realized price. A PCGS MS-64 holder typically brings 30–50% more than the same raw coin on eBay. For suspected proof deep cameo coins, authentication is essential before any sale.

Frequently Asked Questions — 1910 Liberty Nickel

How much is a 1910 nickel worth?
A worn 1910 Liberty Nickel in Good condition is worth roughly $2.50–$5. In Very Fine condition expect $19–$38. An About Uncirculated example brings $73–$103, and an MS-64 gem can sell for around $245. Exceptional superb-gem examples in MS-66 or better have sold for well over $1,000 at major auction houses. Proof coins are worth considerably more, with deep cameo proofs commanding thousands of dollars.
Does the 1910 nickel have a mint mark?
The 1910 Liberty Nickel was struck only at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark on this denomination at that time. The Denver and San Francisco branch mints did not produce Liberty Nickels until 1912, the series' final year of regular production. So all 1910 nickels have no mint mark at all — a blank reverse below the 'V' is normal and expected.
What is the most valuable 1910 nickel?
The most valuable 1910 nickels are the proof issues with cameo or deep cameo contrast. A 1910 PR-67 Deep Cameo PCGS CAC example sold for $14,100 at Heritage Auctions, and a PR-67 Cameo brought $7,637.50. Among regular strike coins, the record stands at $8,813 for an MS-66+ at Stack's Bowers in 2012. A PCGS MS-67 is the finest known regular strike grade — only one example holds that distinction.
How many 1910 nickels were made?
The Philadelphia Mint struck approximately 30,166,948 regular-strike 1910 Liberty Nickels, making it a common date. An additional 2,405 proof coins were struck for collectors. Despite the large mintage, truly high-grade survivors are scarce — PCGS reports only around a dozen superb-gem examples, with a single MS-67 representing the finest known regular-strike specimen.
Is a 1910 nickel made of silver?
No. The 1910 Liberty Head Nickel contains no silver. It is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the same alloy used throughout the Liberty Head series (1883–1912). The coin weighs 5.00 grams and measures 21.20 mm in diameter. Its melt value is minimal — roughly $0.07 — so the coin's worth is entirely driven by collector demand for its numismatic qualities.
What errors exist on the 1910 Liberty Nickel?
Known error types on 1910 Liberty Nickels include broadstrike errors (coin struck without a collar, resulting in a wider-than-normal diameter), off-center strikes (planchet misaligned under the dies), clipped planchets (incomplete blanks with a curved or straight clip), brockage errors (mirror-image of one face struck into another planchet), lamination cracks (metal delamination), and wrong-planchet errors. These are all die-press or planchet accidents rather than hub-doubling varieties.
What does a 1910 proof nickel look like?
The 1910 proof Liberty Nickel was struck using specially polished dies and polished planchets to produce a mirror-like field. Cameo proofs show frosted design devices contrasting against bright mirror fields. Deep cameo (DCAM) examples display the most dramatic contrast. The Philadelphia Mint produced 2,405 proofs this year. In circulated proof grades they're worth hundreds of dollars; pristine cameo and deep cameo examples regularly sell for several thousand dollars at major auction houses.
How do I grade a 1910 Liberty Nickel?
Start by examining the letters in LIBERTY on the headband — the number of fully visible letters is the primary circulated grading benchmark. In Good grade, the portrait is flat with few details. Fine shows LIBERTY readable with moderate wear. Very Fine retains hair detail and bold lettering. Extremely Fine shows only light wear on high points. Uncirculated coins retain full mint luster and show no trace of wear anywhere on the coin's surface, checked using a single raking light source.
Where can I sell a 1910 Liberty Nickel?
For coins in lower grades, eBay or a local coin shop typically offer quick, fair transactions. For higher-grade uncirculated examples or proof coins, Heritage Auctions and Great Collections reach the largest pool of specialist collectors willing to pay top dollar. If your coin is in MS-65 or better, or is a cameo/deep cameo proof, professional grading by PCGS or NGC before selling can significantly increase realized price.
What is a 1910 nickel broadstrike error worth?
A broadstrike 1910 Liberty Nickel — struck without a retaining collar, causing the coin to spread wider than normal — typically commands a premium over a normal circulated example. Depending on the degree of the broadstrike and the coin's overall grade, premiums can range from modest amounts for slight broadstrikes to several hundred dollars for dramatic, well-centered examples. Off-center broadstrikes are especially sought after when the date and design remain fully visible.

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