1888 Nickel Value: Mint Varieties, Rarity, and Current Prices

Price Guide for 1888 Nickel Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1888 Nickel variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.

1888 Nickel (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $20.00 - $403.00

  Uncirculated: $104.00 - $23,500.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $8.50 - $428.00

  Uncirculated: $140.00 - $2,056.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $25.00 - $310.00

  Uncirculated: $325.00 - $10,000.00

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1888 Nickel (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $69.00 - $176.00

  Uncirculated: $1.25 - $6,600.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $162.53 - $1,950.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $250.00 - $10,000.00

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1888 Nickel, CAM (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $235.00 - $6,462.50
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $502.95
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $400.00 - $10,000.00

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1888 Nickel DDO FS-101 (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $576.00 - $1,320.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $175.00 - $300.00

  Uncirculated: $475.00 - $2,000.00

More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1888 Nickel

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

Condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of an 1888 Liberty Head Nickel. While the coin is relatively common in circulated grades, it becomes increasingly scarce in higher mint state conditions. Coins in grades MS65 and above are particularly desirable and command significant premiums.

Key factors affecting condition include:

- Strike quality: Well-struck coins with full details are more valuable.
- Luster: Original mint luster adds to the coin's appeal and value.
- Surface preservation: Minimal contact marks or blemishes are preferred.
- Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance value, while unattractive toning may detract from it.

Several factors can influence the value of an 1888 Liberty Head Nickel beyond its condition:

1. Historical significance: As part of the early Liberty Head series, it holds interest for collectors of 19th-century coinage.
2. Type set demand: It's a popular choice for type set collections representing the Liberty Head Nickel design.
3. Preservation: Well-preserved examples are increasingly scarce, making them more valuable to collectors.
4. Market trends: Overall demand for Liberty Head Nickels can affect values across the series.
5. Certification: Coins graded and authenticated by reputable third-party grading services often command higher prices.

While not a key date, high-grade examples of the 1888 Nickel can be quite valuable due to their scarcity in top conditions.