1894 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head Five Cents 1883-1912

PCGS MS67

PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 3855

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 21.20 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 5,410,500

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $19,520 • MS67 • 03-28-2026 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1894 5C

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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	20,000	R-2.8	4 / 32 TIE	4 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	900	R-5.2	3 / 32 TIE	3 / 33 TIE
65 or Better	200	R-7.0	6 / 32 TIE	6 / 33 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	20,000
60 or Better	900
65 or Better	200

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-2.8
60 or Better	R-5.2
65 or Better	R-7.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	4 / 32 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 32 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 32 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	4 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 33 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 33 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS67	As PCGS MS66+ #25625745. "The Grand Cru Collection," GreatCollections, May 17, 2026, Lot 2127603 - $4,947.75. As PCGS MS67 #54917542. Heritage Auctions, October 8, 2026, Lot 3410 - $9,455; "The GG V's Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).
1	PCGS MS67	Heritage Auctions, March 28, 2026, Lot 3023 - $19,520; "The Grand Cru Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).
1	PCGS MS67	Heritage Auctions, July 23, 2023, Lot 3021 - $9,000.
1	PCGS MS67	Dell Loy Hansen.
1	PCGS MS67
1	PCGS MS67

#1 PCGS MS67

As PCGS MS66+ #25625745. "The Grand Cru Collection," GreatCollections, May 17, 2026, Lot 2127603 - $4,947.75. As PCGS MS67 #54917542. Heritage Auctions, October 8, 2026, Lot 3410 - $9,455; "The GG V's Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#1 PCGS MS67

Heritage Auctions, March 28, 2026, Lot 3023 - $19,520; "The Grand Cru Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#1 PCGS MS67

Heritage Auctions, July 23, 2023, Lot 3021 - $9,000.

#1 PCGS MS67

Dell Loy Hansen.

#1 PCGS MS67

Ron Guth:

In 1894, the mintage for Liberty Head Nickels dropped dramatically from the year before, to the lowest level since 1886. In practice, the reduced mintage had very little to do with the number and quality of survivors. For example, the total population of Mint State 1894 Nickels is only slightly less than other, more common dates, but the number of MS66 survivors is higher than any previous year except 1883. Despite this glaring contradiction, price guides continue to favor this date, indicating a preference for mintage over survivorship -- one of the interesting anomalies in numismatics.

It is very difficult to find a Liberty Head Nickel with the first two stars on the lower left that are not nearly or completely flat. Sometimes other stars are weakly struck, as well, and Uncirculated examples are known with all stars flat. Clearly, the more desirable examples will feature a full strike, but collectors do not yet demand this from their Nickels.