Most of the coins in your pocket, purse or couch cushions aren’t worth more than face value. Cynics might even say most nickels aren’t even worth keeping! However, jingling around with all of that common metal money, you just might find rare nickels worth much more than their original five-cent amount.
Many US nickels are prized by coin collectors (and foreign coins are, too). Some (like the new nickels in circulation) bear the familiar likeness of our third president, Thomas Jefferson. Other, older valuable nickels feature the profile of an Indian one one side and a buffalo on the other. Knowing precisely which of these pieces of metal currency is valuable requires the expertise of a knowledgeable rare coin and currency appraisal specialist. Bring your potentially valuable nickels to our Hendersonville store near Las Vegas to determine if your rare coins are worth their face value, worth a fortune, or (if they’re fake) worth nothing.
We've previously written about pennies, dimes, and quarters, but some nickels are actually the most valuable of all. Before now, the most expensive coin we'd written about was a $1.9 million dime. Additional Info: There were Jefferson Nickels issued as proofs and they are worth well over $100 each. Great value taken from Heritage Auction. More of the Same 1945 S. Jefferson Nickel Values – Price Guides. Jefferson Nickels Are Valuable but most coin collectors don’t think of Jefferson Nickels when the subject of rare and valuable coins come to mind. It’s understandable since the Jefferson series doesn’t boast any low mintage years or mints. The 1913 Liberty Nickel is not only the rarest nickel in the world, it is one of the most valuable coins ever. There are only five known 1913 Liberty Nickels and in May 2007, one was sold for nearly $5 million! There are rumors that there may be a sixth 1913 Liberty Nickel in someone’s private collection. Finding Rare Nickels. Rare nickels, for example, ones with double mint marks, occasionally 'hide' in your box of old coins. Interestingly, some are still found in circulation today. The reason is most require a magnifying glass to discover. In this case the smallest of details makes for a valuable coin. Old Coin Values Using a Step by Step Method.
Buffalo Nickels Background
Sculptor James Earl Fraser used his considerable skills to craft a number of coins, including the buffalo nickel. He created both sides of the coin–the face features the profile of a Native American man, reportedly a composite of several noted tribal chiefs. The reverse is a buffalo standing on a mound, originally with the denomination “five cents” above it. Legend has it that the likeness of the buffalo was modeled on a New York City Zoo resident named Black Diamond.
This rare nickel entered circulation in 1913; about halfway through the year, the design was changed with the denomination recessed below the coins rim. Its last minting took place in 1938.
Buffalo Nickels vs. Indian Head Nickels
Some civilians call these nickels “buffalo nickels.” Other people refer to the coins as “Indian head nickels.” However, while the two names might cause some confusion, dealers and collectors know that the two names refer to the same coin.
Buffalo Nickels: Value
While buffalo nickels are old and can be beautiful to look at, only some of these antique coins hold significant value. Most of these coins, because they often are passed down from generation to generation, hold more sentimental value than monetary. If that’s the case, they can be carefully washed and kept in a place of honor instead of being sold.
However, a small number of buffalo nickels are worth more than just five cents. Thanks largely to minting errors–buffalo with 3 or 3.5 legs, overprinted numbers and so on–some of the coins can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction. To determine exactly if you’re holding nickels worth keeping or selling, get in touch with an experienced coin dealer for an appraisal.
How Much Cash Could I Get for a Rare Buffalo Nickel?
The below guide gives a general idea of which coins are worth your dealer’s attention, their mint marks, and their estimated top worth (if in certified mint condition). Please note these are only estimates and not a guarantee of your coin’s actual value–they may be worth more or less, depending on their condition and unique features. Again, we encourage you to reach out to a specialist to get a specific pricing appraisal.
1913 Nickel
- P: up to $175
- D: up to $480
- S: up to $1,750
1916 Nickel
- P: up to $114
- D: up to $1,780
- S: up to $180
1917 Nickel
- P: up to $185
- D: up to $90
- S: up to $1,750
1918 Nickel
- P: up to $32
- D: up to $3,300
- S: up to $1,760
1919 Nickel
- P: up to $80
- D: up to $2,350
- S: up to $1,155
1924 Nickel
- P: up to $15
- D: up to $3,000
- S: up to $14,000
1926 Nickel
- P: up to $26
- D: up to $1,100
- S: up to $7,600
1927 Nickel
- P: up to $85
- D: up to $400
- S: up to $5,000
1935 Nickel
- P: up to $125
- D: up to $525
- S: up to $250
1936 Nickel
- P: up to $67
- D: up to $110
- S: up to $100
1937 Nickel
- P: up to $90
- D: up to $50
- S: up to $100
2005 Nickel
The US Mint created and circulated a new nickel in 2005. The coin features an offset portrait of Thomas Jefferson on one side, and a buffalo on the reverse. This nickel frequently is referred to as a “buffalo nickel” because of the animal depicted on it; unfortunately, this coin is not worth more than face unless it is a proof, in uncirculated condition or bears a unique minting error.
Background of the Valuable Jefferson Nickel
The Jefferson nickel replaced the buffalo nickel in 1938 and has been the US Mint’s five-cent piece of choice ever since. This rare nickel features a profile of President Jefferson on the front, and his home Monticello on the back. This design was arrived at after a contest judged by the Mint’s director and three sculptor, with artist Felix Schlag’s winning idea taking home the $1,000 prize.
The look and the materials used in making the coin have changed over the years. The nickel metal was shifted to silver during World War II so that nickel could be used in the war effort. Schlag’s initials (not included in the original design) were added in 1966. Also, a number of special decorations have been shown on the reverse, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition in 2004-05. And, Jefferson’s profile was given a facelift in 2006.
How Much Cash Could I Get for a Rare Jefferson Nickel
The below guide gives a general idea of which coins are worth your dealer’s attention, their mint marks, and their estimated top worth (if in certified mint condition)..
1938 Nickel
- D: up to $150
- S: up to $50
- No mint mark: up to $1,800
1939 Nickel
- D: up to $200
- S: up to $80
- No mint mark: up to $880
1940 Nickel
- D: up to $120
- S: up to $50
- No mint mark: up to $120
1941 Nickel
- D: up to $100
- S: up to $150
- No mint mark: up to $175
1942 Nickel
- D: up to $100
- S: up to $145
- No mint mark: up to $75
1943 Nickel
- P: up to $450
- D: up to $1,400
- S: up to $65
1944 Nickel
- P: up to $420
- D: up to $1,750
- S: up to $85
1945 Nickel
- P: up to $280
- D: up to $140
- S: up to $120
1955 Nickel
- D: up to $110
- No mint mark: up to $165
1962 Nickel
- D: up to $65
- No mint mark: up to $15
Most Valuable Nickels To Collect
1963 Nickel
- D: up to $102
- No mint mark: up to $32
1964 Nickel
- D: up to $150
- No mint mark: up to $43
1976 Nickel
- P: up to $1
- D: up to $440
- S: up to $4
2004 Nickel
The limited-circulation “Keelboat” nickel features a special handshake decoration celebrating the Louisiana Purchase. While the design is striking, the value is less impressive–a certified-mint Keelboat nickel fetches less than a dollar at auction.
What Do the P, D, and S Stand for on a Nickel?
The P, D, and S stand for the location at which the rare coin was minted. “P” stands for the Philadelphia mint; “D” stands for the Denver mint; and “S” stands for the San Francisco mint.
What are Nickels Made Of?
Best Nickels To Collect
Currently, nickels are made up of their namesake metal, but they include more copper–about 25% nickel and the remaining 75% copper, according to the US Mint. This pairing of metals has been favored by the Mint since the 1800s, thanks to its durability and ability to create quality images on the coins. The nickel briefly shifted to silver during World War II, and it went back to the nickel-copper blend after the war ended. That may shift again; by the end of 2013, the cost of making the $0.05 coin had shifted to $0.09.
Interested in finding out just how much your ancient nickels might be worth? Reach out to Las Vegas Jewelry & Coin Exchange online or by calling 702-986-0153. Our rare coin and currency experts will appraise your coins while you wait, at no cost to you, and offer a fair price if you choose to sell.
The U.S. Mint produced millions of nickels in the late 19th and early 20th century. This was around the time that people began seriously collecting coins and many people saved their nickels. Due to this, old nickels are quite common and very few of them are rare. This list contains some of the rarest nickels in the world, which are mostly proof coins. The other nickels on this list are rare because so few have survived because they were largely ignored when they were first produced.
Most Valuable Nickels 1964
