The US 1883 Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber, introduced the Liberty Head design, replacing the Shield Nickel. Its initial version lacked the word “CENTS,” leading to gold-plating scams where criminals passed it off as a $5 gold coin. This forced the Mint to redesign the US 1883 Nickel, adding “CENTS” to prevent fraud, highlighting the importance of clear coinage design.
That year, the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act aimed to reduce government corruption by introducing merit-based hiring. Similarly, the US 1883 Nickel reflected a shift toward accountability, as its copper-nickel composition ensured durability while reinforcing trust in American currency.