I don't think ANY v$ views can tell the version about the database. Here is my reasoning:

1. start an instance in NOMOUNT.
2. Now you can check v$version, v$instance

However, the datafiles have not been accessed. The v$ views are actually derived from the Oracle Kernal. It's about the version number of installed Oracle product. It's NOT for the database's version number.

So, doesn anybody there can answer this question?