1910

Mintage recovered to 30,169,353 coins in 1910, rebounding from the 1909 low and returning production to the high levels characteristic of the late Liberty Head era. Halley's Comet made its anticipated April perihelion passage, and Earth actually passed through the comet's tail on May 19. Newspapers printed scientific reassurances alongside sensational warnings about cyanogen gas in the comet's tail, and people across the country stayed up late into the night to watch the sky. Mark Twain, who had been born during Halley's 1835 apparition, died on April 21, 1910, during the comet's perihelion and as he had predicted he would. The Liberty Head nickels struck during 1910 circulated through a year when American attention was drawn repeatedly to the sky.

The coin is common at every grade level and readily available in Mint State at modest premiums. Strike characteristics for the year are generally strong, with crisp obverse star detail and well-defined reverse wreath elements on most examples from fresh dies. Gem-quality 1910 nickels exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand and are priced accordingly.

For collectors building complete Liberty Head date sets, the 1910 is a straightforward mid-series acquisition. The high mintage ensures abundant supply at every grade level, and specialists focused on sharp strike and clean surfaces have ample material to choose from.