1890 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Five Cents 1883-1912

PCGS MS67+

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PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 3851

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 21.20 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 16,256,532

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $18,000 • MS67+ • 05-04-2025 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1890 5C

Die Varieties

1890 5C RPD FS-301

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	25,000	R-2.7	7 / 32 TIE	7 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	1,000	R-5.0	6 / 32 TIE	6 / 33 TIE
65 or Better	150	R-7.5	2 / 32 TIE	2 / 33 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	25,000
60 or Better	1,000
65 or Better	150

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-2.7
60 or Better	R-5.0
65 or Better	R-7.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	7 / 32 TIE
60 or Better	6 / 32 TIE
65 or Better	2 / 32 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	7 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	6 / 33 TIE
65 or Better	2 / 33 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
2	MS66+ PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

#2 MS66+ PCGS grade

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

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+.