The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the rarest and most fascinating coins in American history. What makes it intriguing is that it was never meant to exist. In 1913, the U.S. Mint switched from the Liberty Head design to the new Buffalo Nickel.
However, five Liberty Head nickels with the year 1913 on them somehow came into existence.
The mystery of these coins only began to unravel in December 1919, when Samuel W. Brown, who had previously worked at the Philadelphia Mint, placed an ad in The Numismatist offering to pay $500 for any examples of this coin.
Not long after, it was revealed that Brown himself had acquired five such nickels, though he never disclosed how or where he got them.
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Research suggests that Brown may have created these coins while working at the Mint, adding a layer of intrigue to their origin.
In 1920, Brown displayed these coins at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) convention in Chicago, sparking immense curiosity among collectors.
Over the years, the nickels changed hands several times, gaining unique nicknames based on the collectors who owned them. These five coins became known as the Norweb, Eliasberg, Olsen, Walton, and McDermott specimens.
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The McDermott/Bebee Specimen:
One of these rare coins, the McDermott specimen, gained significant fame thanks to J.V. McDermott. He was a well-known coin enthusiast who loved showing off his 1913 Liberty Head nickel at conventions and even in hotel bars, making sure everyone knew he possessed one of the only five in the world.
After McDermott’s death, the coin was sold to Aubrey E. Bebee in 1967 and later donated to the ANA Money Museum in 1989 by Bebee and his wife, Adeline.
The Walton specimen:
Another coin, the Walton specimen, also has an interesting story. It was purchased by George Walton in 1942. Walton proudly displayed the coin at various shows across the southern United States.
However, after his tragic death in a car accident in 1962, the coin was mistakenly thought to be a fake and was kept in storage by his family.
It wasn’t until 2003, at an ANA convention in Baltimore, that the coin was authenticated and reunited with the other four coins for the first time since the 1940s.
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Conclusion:
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickels have a fascinating history filled with mystery, intrigue, and valuable collectors.
Each time one of these rare coins comes up for auction, it becomes a major event in the numismatic world, proving that even the most unexpected pieces of history can capture the imagination and value of collectors worldwide.
The stories of the McDermott, Walton, and other specimens have added layers to the legend of the 1913 nickel, ensuring that these coins will remain a topic of interest for years to come.
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.