US Nickel Values and Prices: A Guide to What it's Worth

A US nickel can be worth more than its face value, depending on its condition and rarity. The US Mint has produced over 300 million nickels since 1866, making them relatively common.

The value of a US nickel can range from a few cents to over $100, depending on its condition and the year it was minted. Some rare nickels can sell for thousands of dollars.

In general, the value of a US nickel is determined by its condition, with circulated coins worth less than uncirculated ones. The condition of a nickel can greatly impact its value, with coins in good condition being worth more than those that are worn or damaged.

Nickel values can fluctuate significantly over the years. In 2004, the value of a nickel was at its lowest point, at around 3 cents per ounce.

The value of a nickel began to rise in 2005, and by 2011, it had reached a high of around 7 cents per ounce. This increase was largely due to the rising demand for nickel in the production of stainless steel.

In recent years, nickel values have continued to be volatile, with prices dropping to around 4 cents per ounce in 2016, but then increasing again to around 6 cents per ounce in 2020.

The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel is a valuable coin that's worth knowing about. It's a rare find, especially in premium condition, where it's valued at around $3,809 today.

The original price of this nickel was just $0.05, a far cry from its current value. This highlights the importance of understanding the value of coins over time.

The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the rarest nickels, thanks to its low demand from collectors at the time. Many collectors were holding onto the original 1883 and 1884 design, thinking they'd become valuable, but they ended up being neglected.

Here's a quick rundown of the 1885 Liberty Head Nickel's details:

The 1914 4/3 Buffalo Nickel is a rare and valuable coin. It's valued at around $7,116 in excellent condition. This is a significant increase from its original price of $0.05. The 1914 4/3 Buffalo Nickel is a special case because it features a 3 sticking out from the overcast 4, which is a result of a mistake during the minting process.

The mistake that occurred during the minting process means big money for collectors. In the collecting world, these little mistakes are highly prized. The 1914 4/3 Buffalo Nickel is a prime example of this.

Here are some key details about the 1914 4/3 Buffalo Nickel:

The 1935 Doubled Die Reverse is a real showstopper. This nickel features a reverse die that had a slight misalignment, causing some aspects to be doubled.

If you're looking for a unique collectible, this might be the one for you. An exceptionally well-preserved 1935 Doubled Die Reverse sold for $104,650 in 2007.

Here are some key facts about this rare nickel:

This nickel's value is a testament to its rarity. Adjusted for inflation, its 2007 sale price is equivalent to about $146,238 in 2023 dollars.

The 1867 Shield Nickel With Rays is a rare and valuable coin. It's one of the most valuable nickels on our list, with a price tag of $202,868.

In 1867, the Shield nickels were produced with rays, but only a few examples still exist today. There are thought to be ten or fewer examples in existence.

The value of this coin increased significantly over time. In 2004, one sold for $132,250, which is equivalent to $202,868 in 2023 dollars.

This coin is a great example of the importance of rarity in determining a coin's value.

The 1880 Shield Nickel is a rare and valuable coin, with a price tag of $208,581. This is due to its historical significance and limited production run of just 16,000 coins.

Its value has been confirmed through sales on eBay and at auction, with one specimen selling for $175,000 and another for $170,375, which is equivalent to $208,581 in today's dollars.

The 1880 Shield Nickel was originally priced at $0.05, a far cry from its current value.

The Indian Head nickel, a classic coin with a rich history. It was minted from 1866 to 1909, and its values vary greatly depending on the year and condition.

The 1870 Indian Head nickel is a rare find, with only a few known to exist in mint condition.

The 1885 Indian Head nickel is relatively common, but its value can still range from $10 to $100, depending on its condition and rarity.

In mint condition, an 1885 Indian Head nickel can sell for around $50.

The Philadelphia Mint had a significant role in producing nickels, especially those made of nickel-copper alloy. Over 2.7 billion of these coins were placed into circulation between 1938 and 1964.

These coins are highly sought after by collectors, particularly those in high condition. Collecting these coins is a great way to appreciate the history and craftsmanship behind them.

Philadelphia did not place any mintmarks on these nickel-copper alloy pieces, making them easily identifiable. Those dated 1938 through 1968 without any mintmark are indeed Philadelphia nickels.

The lowest production year from the Philadelphia mint of the nickel-copper variety is 1955, with a mere 7.8 million coins struck for circulation.

The 1942-1945 variety is a unique and valuable range of nickels, containing 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. This silver alloy makes them a premium value among collectors.

Large mintmarks were placed on these nickels to indicate the alloy change, which is a defining characteristic of this variety. This change was first implemented in October 1942.

San Francisco produced over 217 million silver alloy nickels, all of which can be identified by a large "S" mintmark above Monticello.

Some of the rarest and most valuable nickels are from the Buffalo nickel series, which was produced from 1913 to 1938. The 1927-S Buffalo Nickel is one of the rarest and most valuable, with a price tag of $61,692.

To give you an idea of just how rare these nickels are, the 1916 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse has only 200 examples in total known, with less than 15 in mint condition. This rarity makes it extremely valuable, with a price of $432,198.

A table of the top 10 most valuable nickels is below:

The most valuable nickels are truly a sight to behold. They're like finding a rare gem in a sea of everyday coins.

The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel is the most valuable nickel, with a price tag of $5,262,000. This is likely due to its rarity and interesting history.

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) use a grading scale of 1 to 70 to value coins. A coin with a 70 rating is worth 70 times more than the same coin rated 1.

The 1964 Jefferson Nickel Mirror Brockage is another highly valuable nickel, selling for $1,153,000. It's essential to understand the conditions of the nickels you want to collect, as this can greatly impact their value.

Here are the top 5 most valuable nickels:

It's worth noting that the value of a nickel can increase over time, especially if it's rare or has an interesting history.

The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel is the rarest and most valuable nickel in the world, selling for a staggering $5,262,000.

If you're looking for valuable nickels, you'll want to focus on those with interesting history, such as war-period nickels, which are slightly more valuable on average.

The 1936-D Buffalo Nickel Three and a Half Legs is another rare variety, selling for $22,452.

Rarity is key when it comes to valuable nickels, so look for examples that are few in existence. The rarer the nickel, the more valuable it is.

The 1885 Liberty Head V Nickel is a rare variety that sells for $3,809.

Errors printed on the nickel, such as the 1936 and 1937 three-leg nickels, can also make them valuable.

The 1916 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse is a rare variety with only 200 examples known, selling for $432,198.

The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse is another rare variety, with an overdate that makes it highly valuable, selling for $504,164.

The 1935 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Reverse is also a rare variety, selling for $146,238.

The 1927-S Buffalo Nickel is a rare and valuable coin that's worth a pretty penny. It's one of the few coins from this era that's still in production, but with striking issues, very few exist in exceptional quality strikes.

In 2012, one of these rare nickels sold for $48,875 at auction, which is equivalent to $61,692 in 2023 dollars. This price tag is a testament to the coin's rarity and value.

Here's a quick rundown of the coin's details:

The 1927-S Buffalo Nickel is a unique find for any coin collector, and its value is a reflection of its rarity.

The 1924-S Buffalo Nickel is a rare and valuable coin that's sure to catch the eye of any collector. It was produced in relatively low quantities, with over 1.4 million coins minted.

This nickel's value lies in its condition, rather than its rarity. Few uncirculated examples exist, and even fewer are in Gem condition.

To give you an idea of its value, a high-quality 1924-S Buffalo Nickel sold for $105,750 in 2016. Adjusted for inflation, that's equivalent to $127,695 in 2023 dollars.

If you're looking to get your hands on one of these valuable nickels, be prepared to pay top dollar.

The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel is a rare and valuable coin that's a must-know for any collector. It's worth noting that this nickel design was switched to the Buffalo nickel in 1913.

Only three of the five known specimens are privately owned, and one of them sold for $4,560,000 in 2018. Adjusted for inflation, that's equivalent to $5,262,000 in 2023 dollars.

This nickel was originally worth just 5 cents, making its current price of $5,262,000 a staggering increase.

There are millions of nickels out there, but finding a valuable one isn't impossible. You just need to know what to look for.

The rarer the nickel, the more valuable it is. Any interesting history also plays a role, which is why war-period nickels are slightly more valuable on average.

To identify valuable nickels, look for the years that are valuable and the mints they come from. Memorizing this list can help you spot valuable nickels easily.

Errors printed on the nickel can also lead to rarity. The 1936 and 1937 three-leg nickels are great examples of how a small error can turn into big money.

Circulated coins, which have been used in everyday transactions, are worth the lowest. Uncirculated coins, on the other hand, are more likely to be in good condition and are worth more.

A grading scale of 1 to 70 is used to value coins, with 1 being the lowest and 70 being the highest. This scale was created by Dr. William Herbert Sheldon in 1948.

Proofs, which are made to an exceptional level of quality, are usually the most expensive nickels you can find.

A coin's grade significantly influences its value, making it essential to determine its condition accurately.

The grade of a Jefferson nickel is determined after identifying its date and mintmark. A better state of preservation makes a coin more desirable to a dealer and a collector.

Light wear on a Jefferson nickel can begin to smooth out small portions of the waves of hair on its obverse. This is a key feature of an Extremely Fine grade.

To identify an Extremely Fine grade, look for small spots of wear on the tops of hair waves, concentrated just above Jefferson's ear. The smoothness must remain disconnected and minor.

Wear on the high area of the cheek near Jefferson's eye is also a characteristic of an Extremely Fine grade. The lower line of the collar is strong and separated from the coat along its majority.

The reverse of an Extremely Fine grade Jefferson nickel shows minor detail loss on Monticello due to its high relief position. However, the triangular arch above the pillars must show upper defining lines, which are faint but remain.

A Mint State grade is defined by an absence of wear to the surface, with all details on the obverse and reverse crisp and sharp. A few minutes of viewing the highest points of the design determines the grade.

To identify a Mint State grade, compare Jefferson's cheek area with surrounding metal for a consistent appearance. The metal should have a delicate grain, producing luster and a shimmer.

The reverse features Monticello with the central area highest in relief. Columns are slightly rounded with an exposed surface, and original luster is present, leaving a bright surface.

Leading edges of the triangular roof lines are also inspected; absence of wear leaves these areas without any flattening from wear.

Collector preference drives the market in the Jefferson nickel series, making mint state grade coins highly valuable.

Premium values in the Jefferson nickel series are quality mint state grade coins.

Ample supplies are available of most date and mintmark combinations, but special qualities set coins apart in desirability.

Quality mint state grade coins are preferred by collectors for their premium values.

Lightly circulated examples are affordable and sought by beginning collectors studying the series and developing collecting skills.

Both groups of collectors are seeking quality coins in their category to add to collections.

Qualities of nice color, mark-free surfaces, and well-struck examples are preferred by collectors.

A US nickel is a small but valuable coin that can be a fun addition to any collection. The most common dates for a US nickel are from 1866 to 1942, and from 1946 to 1964.

You can find US nickels in various conditions, from circulated to mint state, which affects their value. In circulated condition, the value of a US nickel can range from 5 to 10 cents.

The composition of a US nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel, which makes it a valuable coin for collectors.

The San Francisco Mint was responsible for producing a significant number of Jefferson nickels between 1938 and 1964.

A total of just over 230 million nickel-copper alloy coins were struck at this facility during this period.

Low mintages signal to collectors a less available coin, which generally results in higher premiums.

The San Francisco Mint used an "S" mintmark on these coins, located on the reverse, to the right of Monticello, and next to the rim.

In 1938, the lowest mintage year, some 4 million Jefferson nickels were struck in San Francisco.

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