Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety - Vintage nickels are identified and valued by date and mint variety. 1920 D Buffalo Nickel. Of course, those days are gone, but these once common nickels can now buy a luxury condominium in Manhattan or the yacht of your dreams. Aside from using worn dies, the mint also devised a mechanism for striking more coins by mounting two dies on one press. Most of these coins found their way into circulation; therefore, uncirculated examples sell for a premium price. A 2000 Jefferson nickel struck at the Philadelphia mint features two overlapping heads and sold for $20,520 in 2018. 1935 Buffalo Nickel PCGS MS63 DDR FS-801 (FS-018) 5c Well start by looking at the history of the nickel. 2005 Nickels Worth Money. It's worth looking closely at 1964-D nickels just in case, since one in beautiful condition sold for $19,800 in 2022. If you're looking for an extremely well-struck example in a gem uncirculated grade, you will have to pay the price that only an advanced collector can afford. Therefore, uncirculated examples in pristine condition are few and far between. Finding rare nickels in your loose change just might make you thousands of dollars richer. But if the nickels come from an interesting era, like during one of the world wars, or at a time when nickels changed design, like 1913, then you might be onto something. Sifting through them all is an impossible task, but finding a valuable nickel isnt quite as hard as you would imagine. On the 1914 4 Over 3 Buffalo nickels, you can see a 3 sticking out from the overcast 4. A 1926-S coin in mint state sold for a record $322,000 at an auction in 2008, and circulated variations of the coin can sell for up to $5,000. These old coins are out there in circulation, and I know this because Ive found many of them myself in pocket changeand in rolls of coins that Ive looked through over the years. Rarity is a crucial factor in collectibles of all sorts, and with the Buffalo nickels, that is hard to come by. The 1944 nickel is very common, given that the Mint struck more than 170 million coins. These coins are very rare, with only eight examples known; however, they're also very easy to miss. Ive contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. 7 Rare Wheat Pennies To Collect & What Theyre Worth Today, This 1982 Copper Penny Is Worth $10,000! 5.) If we had a time machine and could go back to 1913, maybe it would be worth it to find out who struck the Liberty Head V nickels and ask them to make a few more for you. The doubled die error is popular among collectors. Very few are in good enough shape to show the steps. The majority of nickels are worth between $0.05 and $1. Nickels minted in San Francisco in the 1940s were generally of a poor strike, with a low impression design and lacking luster. A 1944 S nickel, in general circulation, is worth between $1.25 and $4. This is a valuable coin that serious collectors are willing to bid high on if the condition is good. No matter what condition these coins are in, they tend to be valuable. Why would the U.S. government spend millions even billions of dollars making a bunch of coins if Americans are simply going to melt them down? In early 2018, it seems some of the Buffalo nickels were first struck with a 1917 die, then again with the proper 1918 one. Sold: January 2015; Heritage Auctions, FUN U.S. And those special times can turn everyday items like nickels into the worlds most expensive nickels potentially worth millions of dollars. The 25 Most Valuable Nickels & How Much Theyre Worth. WebA nickel from 1976 is worth 5 cents. If it was legal in the United States, everybody would be doing it to double or triple their money in melt value, and there would be a huge coin shortage. The 1936 and 1937 three-leg nickels are great examples of how a small error from the mint has turned into big money. So, how could a nickel be worth more than face value and people actually pay more than 5 cents for a coin they cant melt? Here is a rare example of one that was saved before it ever experienced the harsh environment of circulation in commerce. Youre looking for examples that are few in existence. In fact, the wartime nickel alloy consists of the following: How much are silver wartime nickels worth? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In 2021, a 1944 S nickel in grade MS68 sold for $6,169. Depending on the year, it can be somewhat rare for a Jefferson nickel to clearly show all the steps of Monticello on the back. WebWhat nickels are worth holding onto? 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $4,408,650. They are very rare in near mint condition with crisp full steps. Jefferson nickels have been around for a long time, and they're in almost any handful of pocket change. Once again, nickel enthusiasts have the San Francisco mint to thank for this set of valuable nickels. Real Experiences. It is not known why the United States Mint made only five coins. A 1979 Susan B. Anthony over a 1978 nickel sold at auction in 2014 for $15,275. Some researchers speculate that unscrupulous mint workers used Liberty Head nickel dies that were intended to be used to produce Liberty Head nickels in case the Buffalo nickel dies were not ready in time for production in 1913. In this section, well look at the physical attributes of the 1944 nickel. Uncirculated coins went directly to collectors and are more likely to be in good condition. So, the U.S. Mint held a contest to find a suitable design for the next coin after the Buffalo nickel. In this article, you will find out how much your 1944 nickel is worth. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. WebYes, silver nickels are worth money. All in all, 1944 nickels are worth more than face value, which is good news. The 1920-D Buffalo nickel has a reasonably low mintage at slightly less than 10 million coins. To find such a pristine example coupled with a highly detailed strike is a true rarity. Step 2: Grading Condition - Comparing to images of different grades, recognize the quality in demand and awarded premium value. It is reported that it sold for $1,150,000 on eBay. Just how much are these rare nickels worth? But the 1920-D, out of the Denver Mint, is one of those special examples that has few pristine nickels left from the 9.5 million produced. But youll need to make sure they are in excellent condition to get top dollar, shoot for grade 65 or higher. Time to Start Hoarding Nickels? If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This has made them nickels worth money and the ones in premium condition are valued at around $3,800 today. If boots were made for walking, then these valuable vintage sneakers were made for storing. The Most Valuable Nickels toCheck for in Your Change Jar. Its what allows us the ability to trade our work for things we need. 1913 and 1914 proved to be important years for nickel collectors. The Sunrevealedthe most valuable coins minted since 2020. High-quality examples of the 1917-S Buffalo nickel will fetch top dollar today. Jefferson nickels from 1944 in mint, uncirculated condition are fairly scarce. This includes a number of extremely rare nickels, which can sell for thousands or even millions despite technically being worth just five cents. But the truly collectible nickels worth more than just their melt value. The coins denomination, FIVE CENTS, is inscribed right below the mansions name. In 2008, just before the recession, one sold for $125,350, or $168,300 in 2022 dollars. ; Records have also been broken in 2021 for the 1964 Nickel D/D grade MS65 selling for As was typical, the San Francisco mint produced the fewest number of nickels, making these coins rare. These are the 3 types of nickels you should be saving: All the Jefferson nickel valueslisted below are for coins in average circulated condition. If you look closely at the year stamped onto the front of the coin, you may notice that the "8" in 1918 looks somewhat distorted. Most examples circulated for almost 15 years until Paul M. Lange of Rochester, New York offered an example for sale in an auction on March 1930. The finest known example sold in 2013 for $18,800. They mostly entered circulation, but one near mint condition example fetched $14,950 at auction in 2010. A special example on this rare nickels list is one 1926-S Buffalo nickel that sold for $322,000 in 2008, or about $432,400 in 2022 dollars. A grading scale of 1 to 70 is also used to value coins, with 1 being the lowest and 70 being the highest. This nickel wouldnt win contests for drawing within the Iines, but thats what makes it so special. Real Experiences. The United States Mint struck the first Jefferson nickels in 1938 after the United States Treasury decided to stop the production of the Buffalo nickel. In uncirculated condition, the coin can fetch up to $700. Knowing how to spot the rarest coins can help you keep an eye out for special nickels that might be worth a closer look. Sold: November 2016; Stack's/Bowers, November 2016 Baltimore Coin Auction. And the rest is collecting history that rivals even some of the worlds most valuable paintings or the most valuable stamps. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The most expensive 1944-P nickel, graded MS60, was sold at 7,475 in 2011. Check your collection for these valuable Topps Star Wars trading cards from the original film series. Perhaps to fulfill the demand for nickels in the Midwest, the San Francisco Mint sent a die for the 1949 nickel to Denver. This means that if you can find one that is struck exceptionally well, you might have one of the most expensive nickels. Coin dealer B. Max Mehl of Fort Worth, Texas, spent a fortune on advertising to enticing people to search their pocket change for valuable 1913 Liberty Head nickels. Learn more about how we curate the best products for you. Copper and Nickel Prices SOARING! Value: $5,842. $0.83. One 1964 Jefferson nickel was created with a mirror brockage, showing a head on both sides with one mirrored. That year, the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints struck the Jefferson nickels, resulting in three varieties. The law states that those who violate laws against melting pennies or nickels can face a fine of $10,000, imprisonment for 5 years, or both. The rarity of this nickel is all based on its condition. The nickel has had many designs over the years, but the Jefferson version is what most people associate with the five-cent coin in the United States. You can find a range of nickels worth money in many years, including 1880, 1885, 1919, 1920, 1926, 1927, 1936, 1937, 1942, and 1964. A 1926-S coin in mint One specimen is one of the most expensive nickels ever sold on eBay at $175,000. You Could Find This Rare Penny In Your Pocket Change Heres What To Look For. All rights reserved. In 1913, the Buffalo nickel was first produced. A highly collectible mint mistake is the 1943/2 Jefferson nickel. The first D, for Denver mint, was placed horizontally, and then punched again on the die, creating valuable rare nickels wanted by collectors. Transform vintage shutters into stunning decor for your home with these easy and creative ideas. The perfect mix of modern luxury business and lifestyle stories. $0.83. Circulated coins are the ones that have been used in everyday transactions and are worth the lowest. 1880 Shield Nickel - Worth $20,000. If you look very carefully at Jefferson's portrait on lots of nickels, you'll notice that some feature crisper, deeper images. The following are the most expensive Jefferson nickels sold. The die used for many of the 1919-S Buffalo Nickels that came out of the San Francisco mint had a sloppy appearance and were struck poorly. Coins Signature Auction, Orlando, FL. Check Your Pocket Change for These Valuable Dimes, 25 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Over 10K, storing them carefully to preserve their condition, 2007 George Washington Dollar Over Jefferson Nickel, 1979 Susan Be. Heresa list of the nickels you should be looking for. More than 50million nickels were minted in the US in 1926. That said, this coin had a high mintage between the three mints, and many of the coins were released into circulation. Usually, coins struck in Philadelphia do not have a mintmark, and 1944 was the first year the P mintmark appeared on nickels. Did you discover a 1944 nickel in your pocket change? These doubled die errors make coins immensely valuable, as usually only a small number of coins are affected when an error occurs. After tallying the weight of the coins and the glue or epoxy required to secure them, the user calculated that the additional weight of the nickel coating amounts to As the metals in the currency have changed, the metal value of coins have changed as well. If you can identify the rarity, the history, and the condition of any nickel, then you will be able to conquer this hobby. 7 Rare Wheat Pennies To Collect & What Theyre Worth Today, This 1982 Copper Penny Is Worth $10,000! To accurately identify this coin, look for a strong doubling on the reverse of the coin. The 1944 nickel was struck at the mints in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. However, collectors at the time were aware of the low mintage and immediately began hoarding the coins and storing them carefully to preserve their condition. Some have a value of $1 or more, and a few are even worth more than $10. More than 120 million of this reverse were minted, and about 40,000 still survive. Another example of a coin being stamped with the reverse design of a different year, the 1939 Jefferson nickel with a reverse of 1940 is a valuable coin, especially in excellent condition.