Rare Nickel Sells for More Than $4 Million to New Jersey Company

Tampa Bay on line ^ | June 2, 2005 | By David Tirrell-Wysocki, Associated Press Writer

[aculeus]

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Not many people can retire on a nickel - unless it's a rare 1913 Liberty Head like the one that sold Thursday for $4.15 million.

It is the second-highest price ever reported paid for a rare coin.

Legend Numismatics, a coin dealership in Lincroft, N.J., bought it from collector Ed Lee of Merrimack, N.H. It is one of only five such nickels known to exist.

"Owning a 1913 Liberty Head nickel is unlike owning any other coin in the world," said Laura Sperber, co-president of Legend Numismatics. She called the 1913 Liberty Head the most famous of American rare coins.

The nickel will be on display through Saturday at a coin show in Long Beach, Calif. "We are going to display it and enjoy the hell out of it," Sperber said.

Lee bought the coin from California sports agent Dwight Manley two years ago for nearly $3 million. At the time, he joked that he would be able to retire on the nickel.

Liberty Head nickels were minted from 1883 to 1912. "Miss Liberty" was replaced the following year by the Indian, or Buffalo, nickel.

But five 1913 nickels depicting "Miss Liberty" were minted illegally, possibly by a mint official. They were never put into circulation and were considered illegal to own for many years because they were not regular issue. The coins surfaced in the 1920s.

The old record for a 1913 Liberty Head nickel was $3 million, paid last year. The record for any rare coin is $7.59 million, paid in 2002 for a 1933 U.S. $20 gold piece.

[Argus]

Rooting through the change jar now.

[RushCrush]

Need a pic!!

[TheBattman]

You know, I can appreciate rarity. But over $4 million for a blooming nickle? Heck - even if it were made of pure gold, it wouldn't be worth that.

Why would anyone pay so much for a stupid nickle? Because they can. The value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it.

[glennaro]

Nice pic at:

http://www.coin-gallery.com/cg1913nicklg.htm

[Red Badger]

Got change?......

[Graybeard58]

Why would anyone pay so much for a stupid nickle? Because they can. The value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it

You've answered your own question. You don't need my nickles worth of input.

[RushCrush]

[LauraleeBraswell]

I'm going to hammer a one of a kind counterfeit coin from a non counterfeit coin. Then I'm going to wait 20 years and sell it for 20 million! It's a one of kind, you just don't understand these things.

[atomic_dog]

"Owning a 1913 Liberty Head nickel is unlike owning any other coin in the world,"

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzt! Nice try and thanks for playing. Owning a 1913 Liberty Head is like owning 4 other coins in the world. On the other hand, if you owned the 1933 Double Eagle you would have coin like no other in the world.

[hummingbird]

Looking through change now...heh, heh, heh.

Does anyone know about the Wisconsin quarter from the state series having a flaw? Heard that there is a flaw with the image but can't find anything showing the actual flaw - don't know what to look for so I'll just save 'em til I find out!

[Radioactive]

I have a piece of cheese that looks like a Liberty Nickel.

Maybe I can sell it on E-bay and retire.

[TexasTransplant]

Hell I have four of those, what is the big deal?

I also have six 1909 vdbs copper Pennies some waterfront property in the Sahara and a Bridge...

TT

[Nyboe]

grrr.. so CLOSE ! I have the 1899,1906, and 1911 liberty head nickels, but not 1913 :(

[RushCrush]

Come one, come all, I have a liberal here with common sense! A sight unseen today! Right next to the bearded lady!

[hogwild]

Really good question. You might ask Tom Noe.

[Sacajaweau]

btt...heading for the coin jar.......

[Abathar]

The really scary thing is that with the equipment I own at my shop I bet I could make one of those so well it could even fool an expert. I wonder if counterfeiting one nickle will get you as much time as a few million of $20's would.

[realman]

more dollors than sense.

[stylecouncilor]

check your change bowl ping