A mintage drop occurs with the 1887 compared to previous years; but, as most pieces were saved, this issue remains in the type coin realm. There were 2,960 coins originally struck. Common without cameo designations except for the finest of gems. Cameo coins are a good bit scarcer with deep cameos non-existent.
| coinage-type | Liberty head nickel |
| desg | PR |
| designer | Charles E. Barber |
| diameter | 21.2 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 75% copper; 25% nickel |
| mintage | 2,960 |
| ngc-id | 277V |
| obverse-description | Lady Liberty with the word LIBERTY on her crown faces left with 13 stars around the periphery and the date positioned at the bottom center. |
| pcgs-link | 3885 |
| pcgs-number | 3885 |
| reverse-description | Large V (roman numeral 5) is centered in the design surrounded by an ornate wreath with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * CENTS * around the periphery. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM appears near the top between the wreath and letters STATES OF AME. |
| weight-grams | 5 |
| year-display | 1883-1913 |