The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous and valuable coins in American numismatic history.
What makes it particularly intriguing is that it was never officially minted by the United States Mint.
In 1913, the U.S. Mint was supposed to produce Buffalo Nickels with a design featuring a Native American on one side and a buffalo (or bison) on the other.
However, for some reason, at least five Liberty Head Nickels were struck with the old design featuring Lady Liberty on the obverse (front) and a Roman numeral "V" surrounded by a wreath on the reverse (back).
The exact circumstances of how these coins were produced remain unclear, but it's believed that a Mint employee or someone with access to the dies struck them illegally and then distributed them.
The mystery surrounding the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, combined with its rarity and historical significance, has made it one of the most sought-after coins by collectors worldwide.