1888 5C DDO FS-101 (Regular Strike)
Series: Liberty Head Five Cents 1883-1912
PCGS MS65+
PCGS MS65
PCGS MS65
- PCGS #:
- 412638
- Designer:
- Charles E. Barber
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 21.20 millimeters
- Weight:
- 5.00 grams
- Mintage:
- 10,715,901
- Mint:
- N/A
- Metal:
- 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
- Auction Record:
- $1,320 • MS65 • 01-03-2018 • Heritage Auctions
Die Varieties
- 1888 5C DDO FS-101
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 PCGS MS65+
"The KCV Lady Liberty Cir Variety Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
#2 PCGS MS65
"The Knohl Collection," Stack's Bowers, August 23, 2024, Lot 9046 - $900; "The TCC Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
#2 PCGS MS65
David Lawrence Rare Coins, April 12, 2020, Lot 7120 - $700. |
#2 PCGS MS65
Heritage Auctions, August 18, 2019, Lot 7111 - $1,320. |
#2 PCGS MS65
Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2019, Lot 7244 - $780. |
|
#2 PCGS MS65
"The Liberty Nickel Collector Society" (PCGS Set Registry). |
#2 PCGS MS65
"The Double Gypsy Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
|
#2 PCGS MS65
|
The 1888 Liberty Nickel
In 1888, Dr. George F. Heath published a humble, four-page pamphlet titled The American Numismatist, which he distributed from his home to fellow coin collectors across the United States. Heath found it difficult to meet other numismatists in person, as the primary numismatic societies of the era were concentrated in major Eastern cities like Baltimore, Boston, and New York. When Heath launched his pamphlet, he estimated that there were 20,000 active coin collectors nationwide. In time, The American Numismatist would evolve into The Numismatist, becoming the flagship journal of the hobby's first national club, the American Numismatic Association.
Meanwhile, the United States Mint was primarily focused on striking high volumes of Morgan Dollars to fulfill its congressionally mandated obligations. With the Philadelphia Mint overburdened by silver dollar production, minor coinage took a backseat, not because Philadelphia lacked the capacity to strike smaller coins, but because the Mint had produced a surplus of minor coinage following the Civil War and simply had no need to strike more. Two economic downturns (the Depression of 1882–1885 and the Recession of 1887–1888) also served to suppress demand.
A Date With Production Issues
Series specialists are well aware of the general poor quality of the 1888 Liberty Nickel (#3849). Due the Philadelphia Mint's workload, quality control and die maintanance at the Philadelphia Mint suffered significantly. By 1888, it was common for Liberty Head nickels to exhibit:
- Weak strikes across high focal points.
- Frequent die cracks along the fields and rims.
- Extensive pitting and evidence of die rust.
Additionally, due to a flaw in the coin's design, the lower portion of the vegetal wreath on the reverse suffered the most from weak strikes, with the left-hand ear of corn frequently displaying little to no detail.
The 1888 Liberty Nickel, Doubled Die Obverse (FS-101)
A few minor varieties have been reported for this date, but PCGS recognizes only the FS-101, which is listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide. On this scarce doubled-die obverse, collectors will notice clear doubling on Liberty's ear. As of July 2026, PCGS has certified nearly 900 1888 Liberty Head nickels, but fewer than 25 featuring the doubled die - offering plenty of opportunity for the astute variety seeker.
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