24 Valuable American Nickels You May Have in Your Pocket
The nickel in your pocket right now or those that are scattered around your house may be worth a fortune. If you’re lucky, you may have a coin that’s worth around $10 dollars. Should the coin gods smile upon you, you may have a nickel that can earn you hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
As unbelievable as it may sound, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across a valuable nickel still in circulation. The millions of wartime Jefferson Nickels, for example, are worth more than their face value because of their silver content. Rare Buffalo and Jefferson coins, on the other hand, can fetch thousands and way more depending on their condition.
This list includes the most expensive nickels in history and those that you’re more likely to find in circulation. Note that the value of coins, even those of the same rare types, may vary widely.
1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel – $4,228,955
The minting of the Buffalo nickel design started in 1913. However, a few coins featuring the previous Liberty Head design snuck in along with this batch. These coins are worth in the millions, with one selling for a cool 4 million dollars.
Not to get your hopes up, only five of these coins exist, hence the mind-boggling price tag. All five are accounted for, with three in the hands of private owners.
2. 1918/7 D Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse – $350,750
As its name implies, it is apparent that the mint struck these rare coins twice. Signs of doubling still show hints of the number 7 underneath the number 8. Stack’s Bowers Galleries sold one of these coins for more than $300,000 in 2003.
Just like with other valuable coins, counterfeits of this nickel abound. The mintmark of authentic 1918/7 D nickels tilts to the left.
3. 1926 S Buffalo – $322,000
The reason why collectors are scrambling for this nickel is that only 970,000 of it came out of the San Francisco mint. Other mints in different years produced millions of this coin.
Prices of this coin can vary radically, ranging from as low as $17 to up to $7,600 at an auction. One of these nickels went for $322,000 via Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
4. 1916 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse – $281,750
This rare nickel has a unique design that makes it highly desirable. The “double dye” shows on the images on the date and the Chief’s chin. To date, experts agree that only 200 of these coins exist, with one selling for $281,750 in 2004.
Depending on its condition, standard versions of this nickel may be worth $17.00 to more than $1,700.00. The mint produced more than 13,000,000 of this nickel.
5. 1913 D Buffalo Nickel Type 2
Another 1913 issue Buffalo nickel has a unique design feature that makes it a collectible. As the coin switched from the Liberty Head, two designs went into circulation.
One design read “Five Cents,” while the rarer Type 2 doesn’t have this feature. In 2008, one Type 2 nickel sold for $143,750.
6. 1917 S Buffalo Nickel $137,000
The S in the 1917 S Buffalo Nickels indicates that it came from the San Francisco Mint. This coin’s claim to fame is its unusual dye quality, which is very rare among other nickels during these years.
Heritage Auctions sold one of these nickels in 2008 for $138,000. If you happen to own one, a Good quality type is worth around $35, while a coin in Extremely Fine condition can fetch approximately $233.
7. 1920 D Buffalo Nickel – $138,000
The D on the Buffalo Nickels denotes that the Denver Mint struck the coins. This specific nickel is rarer than one that came from the Philadelphia mint that does not have a mint mark. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) estimates that there are around 4,500 of these nickels that are still in circulation.
If you happen to own one in Good condition, you can get $14 for it to more than $300 for an Extremely Fine grade. One uncirculated D Buffalo Nickel was sold for $138,000 in 2008.
8. 1918 S Buffalo Nickel – $125,350
Yet another coin from the San Francisco mint, this nickel commands a high price tag due to its flaws. The PCGS estimates that there are about 4,500 of these that are still around in varying grades.
This coin in Good condition can fetch $15 and up to $1,760 if in Mint quality. Stack’s and Bowers sold one of these nickels for $125,350 in 2008.
9. 1919 S Buffalo Nickel – $105,250
There were more than 7 million of this nickel that came out of the San Francisco mint. Only 5,000 of them survived according to the estimates of PCGS. The norm for this issue are those with weak strike from worn dies.
These coins go for $5 for Good condition, and $270 for Extremely Fine grade. Heritage Auctions auctioned off one of these coins for $105,250 in 2006.
10. 1927 S Buffalo Nickel – $48,875
Of the more than 3.4 million of these nickels that the San Francisco mint struck in 1927, PCGS estimates only about 5,000 of them are still in circulation. This is another key year for numismatists owing to the batch’s striking flaws.
PCGS also estimates that only 800 of the surviving batch have a 60-grade quality or better. A mint grade of this nickel will go for as much as $5,000 at auctions. Stack’s and Bowers sold one for $48,875 in 2012.
11. 1942 Frith Jefferson Nickel – $175,000
Let this literally one-of-a-kind nickel usher in this section of this list featuring Jefferson nickels. These coins, particularly those from the wartime coinage, give you the best chances of finding a valuable nickel. However, it is highly impossible that you’ll find another flawed Frith Jefferson.
The 1942 Frith Jefferson Nickel features a design flaw that makes it highly valuable. Its reverse side shows a wrongly positioned S mark that is typical of the previous year’s coinage. The estimated price for this coin is $175,000.
12. 1938 D Jefferson Nickel Full Step (FS) – $33,600
The Jefferson Nickel started minting in 1938 and it is still circulating today. Full Steps 1938 Denver strikes have a high value because of its low mintage.
A Good condition 1938 D Jefferson Nickel can go for approximately $60. Higher quality coins from this mintage year may be worth $400 or more. Heritage Auctions sold one in 2022 for $33,600.
13. 1949 D Over S Jefferson Nickel FS $32,900
What makes some nickels in this coinage year unique is the D mint marking over the S. Story goes that the Midwestern demand for more coins may have made the Denver mint use an overmintmarked die from San Francisco.
Mint condition 1949 D over S Jefferson nickels are worth at least $1,800 via an auction. Heritage Auctions auctioned off a high-grade nickel from this batch with the desirable flaw for $32,900 back in 2014.
14. 1942 D Over D Horizontal FS Jefferson Nickel – $32,200
The FS in Jefferson Nickels is a numismatic term that means “Full Steps.” This refers to the striking detail on the steps of the Jefferson building, which is indicative of the coin’s condition.
The reverse side of this nickel shows remnants of an under type horizontal D on the primary mintmark. Nickels with this rare oddity commands thousands of dollars. In 2006, Heritage Auctions sold one off for $32,200.
15. 1940 Reverse of 1938 Jefferson Nickel Proof – $28,750
Okay, so you won’t find any of these coins in circulation because most are in proof form. These types of coins are struck at least twice to give them a well-defined and intricate design.
The mintage of this Jefferson Nickel is only about 14,000. Stack’s and Bowers sold one in 2011 for $28,750.
16. 1953 S Jefferson Nickel FS – $24,000
There were approximately 19 million of these nickels that came out of the San Francisco mint in 1950. PCGS estimates that about 9,000 of the coins are still around. Although it no longer contains a significant amount of silver, it is still one of the most sought-after Jefferson Nickels.
This coin happens to be very difficult to find among the 1938 to 1960 Jefferson Nickels with full steps characteristics. Usually going for thousands of dollars, Heritage Auctions auctioned off one for $24,000 in 2019.
17. 1939 Doubled Monticello Jefferson Nickel FS – $23,500
This coin came from the Philadelphia mint, even though it doesn’t bear a P mark. What makes this nickel unique is the double vision effect on the Monticello and Five Cents wordings. The flaw was due to the die moving in between strikes.
As of June 2012, there were less than 21 coins that bear the FS characteristics. Legend Rare Coin Auctions sold one in 2019 with a price tag of $23,500.
18. 1939 P Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Obverse – $23,500
This coin features the same flaw as the previous nickel on the list but on the obverse side. Unique to the Philadelphia mint, this Jefferson Nickel has visible doubling on the inner curves of the word God and the numbers 939 on the mint date.
Lower grade coins of this type are not that expensive. However, Heritage Auctions still sold one amounting to $23,500 in 2014.
19. 1962 Jefferson Nickel FS – $21,150
With a mintage of nearly 100 million coins, you have a good chance of getting your hands on this nickel. Although not the most significant among the Jefferson nickel series, you still can strike it big with a full five step Monticello house.
This nickel in circulated grades can earn you anywhere from $10 to $80 dollars. Heritage Auctions sold one back in 2013 for $21,150.
20. 1964 Jefferson Nickel With Repunched Denver Mint Mark – $19,800
Decades after WW2, Jefferson Nickels still produced some valuable coins. The Denver Mint struck approximately 1.78 million nickels in 1964. Some of these coins featured a D (for Denver) over D mint mark that resulted from repunching.
A Mint condition 1964 nickel with a repunched mint mark can fetch at least $1,700. Heritage Auctions sold one of these coins for $19,800 in 2022.
21. 1950 D Jefferson Nickel FS – $17,250
The year 1950 has the lowest Jefferson nickel mintage with the Denver mint striking only 2.6 million of them. However, a good number of these coins were snapped up by collectors almost immediately after they realized the low mintage.
A Mint grade coin from this batch could earn you anywhere from $15 to $80. The highest price tag so far for a nickel from this mintage year was from a 2006 auction worth $17,250.
22. 1943/2 Overdate Jefferson Nickel FS $16,675
If your nickel has the tail of the number 2 under the 1943 date, then it is worth good money. Coins with this desirable flaw are from the Philadelphia mint. 1943/2 overdate nickels can fetch good prices even without the full steps on its reverse side.
Mint grade nickels with this flaw have a value of at least $400 up to more than $2,000. Heritage Auctions sold one in 2008 for $16,675.
23. 1952 D Jefferson Nickel FS – $16,450
This coin from the Denver Mint is part of a 30-million-nickel mintage year. With some 45,000 still in circulation according to the PCGS, you have a fair chance of finding one with good value. Keep in mind that the value will depend largely on the nickel’s condition.
Often, the number of steps on the reverse side is a good indicator of its condition. In 2015, Heritage Auctions auctioned off one in mint condition with nearly six steps.
24. 1947 S Jefferson Nickel FS – $14,950
Your chances of finding this nickel in circulation are very good with the PCGS estimating more than 150,000 still out there. If you can see the full five steps on the Monticello house on the reverse side, then you’re in for a huge payday. Heritage Auctions sold one in 2007 for $14,950.
Just to manage your expectations, mint condition nickels, usually still with luster, are the ones that fetch high prices. Be on the lookout for Jefferson Nickels with the dates 1938, 1939, 1942 and 1950. If you think you have a valuable coin, have it graded by the PCGS or the NGCS.
