Expert: Joe Hylas - 4/2/2010

Question
My daughter found an old coin in the backyard. It has a V on it with leaves or foliage around it. It has the ribbed edges and on reverse side of V it is dated 1900 at the bottom. I can see a head with stars around it on the side with the date. We would just like to know what it is and where it may have come from. This is definitely going to be used as a learning/research home project. Thank you very much for your time.

Answer
Hello Gretchen,
Your daughter found a 1900 Liberty Nickel.  The "V" is the roman numeral for 5

These were minted from 1883 until 1912.  They were right before Buffalo Nickels which were made starting in 1913 and ending in 1938.

They aren't really valuable in used condition, maybe $1 but it's a nice find.

Maybe sit down with her and think about who might have handled that coin or what the history of the location is.  It's always fun to think about who might have handled it.

Regards
Joe Hylas
www.AllCoins.US