Diagnostic Controls & Presets Branch Mint V-Nickels
Diagnostic Forensic Readings
Forensic Attribution Diagnostic
Real-time metallurgical and die variety cross-examination verified against certified populations.
Technical Breakdown: Physics, Metallurgy & Die Diagnostics
Overturned the 1873 Coinage Act restriction banning branch mints from coining base-metal nickel pieces.
The 1912-S is the lowest regular mintage issue in the entire 30-year Liberty Head Nickel series.
Documented Benchmark Auction Records
Tied for finest certified at PCGS. Pristine satiny silver-gray surfaces with razor-sharp reverse corn kernels.
Magnificent uncirculated eye appeal with CAC green bean verification; exceptional frosty cartwheel fields.
The finest known survivor of Denver's inaugural 5-cent strike, displaying blazing cartwheel luster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 1912-S Liberty Nickel so rare?
Because only 238,000 coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint before the US Mint retired the Barber design in favor of the Buffalo Nickel in early 1913. It is the lowest regular mintage issue in the entire 30-year series.
Where is the mintmark located on a 1912-S or 1912-D nickel?
On the reverse side, look at the very bottom of the coin. Between the words 'CENTS' and 'UNITED' there is a central dot. The tiny 'S' or 'D' mintmark is punched immediately to the left of this dot.
Did Philadelphia strike 1912 nickels with a 'P' mintmark?
No. In 1912, the Philadelphia Mint never used a 'P' mintmark on any coinage. Nickels struck at Philadelphia have an empty, blank field to the left of the bottom dot.
How can I detect an added 'S' mintmark on a 1912 nickel?
Examine the coin under 30x to 50x magnification. Counterfeiters glue or solder an 'S' onto a cheap Philadelphia coin. Look for a discolored ring of solder, disrupted flow lines around the letter, or an 'S' shape that doesn't match the three known genuine San Francisco punch shapes.
Are there genuine 1913 Liberty Nickels?
Only five 1913 Liberty Head Nickels are known to exist, and all were struck clandestinely at the Philadelphia Mint under mysterious circumstances. Each genuine 1913 is valued at over $4 million to $5 million.
What is the metal composition of a 1912-S nickel?
Like all standard US five-cent nickels from 1866 to the present (except 1942-1945 wartime silver nickels), it is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a standard legal weight of exactly 5.00 grams.
Is the 1912-D nickel also considered a key date?
The 1912-D is a semi-key date with a mintage of 3,141,000. It is historically significant as the very first nickel ever struck at the Denver Mint, though it is far more common and affordable than the 1912-S.