Nice! I'd be curious to see what it looks like after a good soak in distilled water and/or acetone. Side note: I have a real appreciation for Liberty nickels as a series. It's not too long a series, not incredibly tough to complete, and there are only like 3 or 4 key dates. Also, it's a nice design. Of his non-pattern designs, I think this is a better than average piece for Charles Barber.
It was common practice in building in Baltimore during the turn of the century to place an IHC under the quarter moldings by finishing carpenter's . Many who have rehab homes around the inner harbor have found such during the rehab. Your coin is a variety 37.3 nice find.
Awesome, thanks for the info. I only snapped those shots before handing it over to the homeowner. I'll pass along the info. He was pretty pumped up so now he'll be even happier.
He was REALLY happy to hear the news. So much so that he brought it to my house and has tasked me with removing the junk on it. Overnight in acetone it goes.
Baby food jars are perfect. Especially for just one coin. As jensenbay suggested, you may still want to place it a well ventilated area.
It was built in 1927. It was built with the intent to be a bootlegging place. There was an old wine press in the basement behind an illusion wall, and the concrete walls in what must have been the speakeasy have a couple of safes built in, presumably covered by pictures at the time.