Don't know what you really mean by v$version..
This one works just fine here...
Code:
[email protected]L> select * from v$version
  2  /

BANNER
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Oracle8i Enterprise Edition Release 8.1.7.4.1 - Production
PL/SQL Release 8.1.7.4.0 - Production
CORE    8.1.7.2.1       Production
TNS for 32-bit Windows: Version 8.1.7.4.0 - Production
NLSRTL Version 3.4.1.0.0 - Production