Finally got around to dating a v nickel I found couple months back. 1898. Oldest coin for me. Found with the XP Deus smack in the middle of a local park here in OKC.
V-nickels and Buffalo nickels, are my favorites, but alas, you're right on being lucky to get any details, it's because of their designs - that make them vulnerable to early wear patterns - in and out of the pocket....!