They are readily available in circulated grades but very rare in well-struck high grades. Mint state silver nickels are a challenge to advanced collectors. 7. If you look very carefully at Jefferson's portrait on lots of nickels, you'll notice that some feature crisper, deeper images. For those coin collectors who are not familiar with the Shield nickel series, the 1880 specimen may come as a surprise. In addition, President Franklin D. Roosevelt greatly admired former President Thomas Jefferson and thought it fit to immortalize him on yet another U.S. currency. However, the cost to make a penny or a nickel is generally offset by the profit the U.S. Mint makes in striking dimes, quarters, and other coins. Just how much are these rare nickels worth? This post may contain affiliate links. The 1920-D Buffalo nickel has a reasonably low mintage at slightly less than 10 million coins. Coins Signature Auction, Orlando, FL. There are very strict and tough laws about what you can and cant legally do with your coins, and melting pennies and nickels are a big no no. In 2021, a 1944 S nickel in grade MS68 sold for $6,169. During the reverse coin die manufacturing, sloppy workmanship resulted in this die variety. This list of Jefferson nickel values will help you determine how much your old nickels are worth. The Shield nickels were produced from 1866 to 1883, replacing the fractional currency notes issued prior. There are only five known examples, and this one is the finest graded by any of the third-party grading companies. There are thought to be ten or fewer examples today, and back in 2004, one sold for $132,250, or $202,400 in 2022 dollars. Sold: October 2006; Heritage Auctions, 2006 October Dallas Signature Coin Auction, Dallas, TX. The other 75% is copper! For example, in 2021, it cost the United States Mint 8.52 cents to make each nickel. 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. All this explains the big difference between the value of the circulated and uncirculated nickels minted in 1944. Sold: April 2008; Bowers & Merena, The April 2008 Chicago Rarities Sale. In 1917 World War I was raging in Europe and manufacturing processes were gearing up to produce war goods. If you can get your hands on a 1964 SMS special strike nickel, you might be sitting on gold. While 1913 is the year the design changed from the Liberty Head to the Buffalo, 1914 was a special year too. Fumes and smoke emanating from your house might tip off someone you least suspect and give them reason to report you to the authorities. Stay up to date with everything about U.S Coins, We dont spam! By looking at auction records, especially at places like Heritage Auctions, you can get a sense about what makes these nickels valuable and what to watch for in your pocket change. Jefferson nickels made before 1960 old Jefferson nickels made in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s have a value of 10 cents or more except for the ones listed below All the Jefferson nickel values listed below are for coins in average circulated condition. Higher-grade pieces are worth more, and cleaned and damaged nickels are worth less. In circulated condition, 1944 D nickels are worth between $1.25 and $4.25, while in uncirculated condition, this coin can fetch as much as $750. In this rare nickels list, were going to cover the valuable rare nickels wanted by collectors. Next time you get some change after buying a coffee, take another look in your hand, and perhaps youll stumble upon something great. 1937 D 3 Legs Buffalo Nickel. Distinct full steps coins are extremely rare for this reason, and it's very uncommon for one to survive in nearly uncirculated condition. The Jefferson coins have quite an interesting history, but more important is that these coins are worth more than face value. Some unique errors can increase the value of an old coin. Lower-grade coins are worth $20 to $30, compared to about $1 for those made at the Philadelphia mint. In fact, the composition of a regular Jefferson nickel is just 25% nickel. Having said that, erosion can cause some of these same problems, so you need to know what is original and what isnt. How much your Jefferson nickel is worth will depend on factors such as its condition, the coins rarity, and the presence of significant errors. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. As was typical, the San Francisco mint produced the fewest number of nickels, making these coins rare. Here are the most valuable 1944 nickel errors you should look out for: As the name suggests, a repunched mintmark error occurs when the mintmark is struck more than once or punched at the wrong angle. All are worth 10 cents or more each. Finding such a coin in excellent condition is not common, and one very fine example sold for $14,950 in 2007. The 1924-S Buffalo nickel is by no means a rare coin in circulated condition. With a mintage of 1,437,000 coins, many of them have survived and are available to collectors today. This coin's high level of preservation and dramatic eye appeal make it an extremely valuable coin. 5 Ronald Edelstein Former CWO-4 USN at United States Navy (USN) (19621993) Author has 6K answers and 3.5M answer views 3 y Related Usually, coins struck in Philadelphia do not have a mintmark, and 1944 was the first year the P mintmark appeared on nickels. The mint mark, whether P, D, or S, appears prominently on the reverse at the top-most point of the Monticello. Uncirculated coins went directly to collectors and are more likely to be in good condition. If you're extremely lucky one of the pennies you get may be old and possibly worth 2 cents. As of today, circulation grade 1944-S nickels are worth very little; they are certainly worth more than face value, but their average value is between $1.25 and $4. The 1918/7-D is certainly the rarest coin in the Buffalo nickel series and it is one of the most important coins of the 20th Century, former PCGS President David Hallwrote. A Few of These Nickels Are Worth a Small Fortune. The repunched mintmark error is very common among 1944 nickels struck in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $4,408,650. 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. This means that the 1951 nickels mostly entered circulation and became worn as a result. Uncirculated variations of the nickel sell for hundreds of thousands, including a record $276,000 sale in 2008 for a 1926 doubled die coin in mint condition. Thats when the Westward Journey nickelshonoring the bicentennial of theLewis and Clark expeditionwere released, bringing new obverse and reverse designs to the 5-cent coin. In fact, at one point, the value of nickel went to $100,000 per metric ton. But theres a bit more to this story. Liberty Head or V-Nickel values are slightly more in line with what you would expect for coins of that period, but expert numismatists believe they are undervalued. They also think that there are a lot of errors and die varieties still to be found in this series since other coin types from this period exhibit many exciting varieties. 1940 Jefferson nickels are rare, so they tend to be valuable because of that. The San Francisco mint in 1917 mostly produced poorly struck Buffalo Nickels. Full steps coins are extremely hard to find, and the 1952 issue from the Denver Mint is especially coveted by collectors. Silver nickels such as the Liberty Head Nickels One 1964 Jefferson nickel was created with a mirror brockage, showing a head on both sides with one mirrored. A highly collectible mint mistake is the 1943/2 Jefferson nickel. If the full steps show, this coin could be worth thousands. Dr. William Herbert Sheldon created this scale in 1948 based on the idea that a coin with a 70 rating is worth 70 times more than the same coin rated 1. One in amazing shape sold for $32,900 in 2014. The poor striking quality may have been an effort by mint workers to extend die life or just a lack of attention to quality. This has made them nickels worth money and the ones in premium condition are valued at around $3,800 today. The value of a 1944 S nickel depends on the coins condition. 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. The first D, for Denver mint, was placed horizontally, and then punched again on the die, creating valuable rare nickels wanted by collectors. With a mintage of 1,437,000 coins, many of them have survived and are available to collectors today. One specimen is one of the most expensive nickels ever sold on eBay at $175,000. 1880 Shield Nickel - Worth $20,000. An example sold in 2006 for $17,250. It took years before a numismatist discovered these coins in circulation. They were only 16,000 coins minted for circulation, and that makes it the lowest production quantity in the entire series. WebUncirculated 1944 P Jefferson nickels in mint condition are plentiful, but the true gems are fairly scarce. Anthony Dollar Over Jefferson Nickel. Just like the 1916 doubled die obverse Buffalo nickel, this coin was also the result of sloppy workmanship at the United States Mint. And the ol but theyre my coins and I can do what I want with them rebuttal isnt going to cut it not with the feds, anyway. WebCopper prices have been up, and so, too, are nickel values. In other words, a Good condition coin will be worth less than an Extremely Fine or Uncirculated one. At Luxe Digital, we independently research, review, and recommend products we love and that we think you will love, too. There are 3mintmarks to look for on wartime nickels: For the record, the 1942 wartime nickel was the first U.S. coin on which a P mintmark was ever placed. To find such a pristine example coupled with a highly detailed strike is a true rarity. In addition, its natural toning around the rim enhances its beauty and appeal to coin collectors. Like the rare and valuable George Washington dollar over a nickel, the Susan B. Anthony overstamp is also worth a lot of money. 1943 pennies were made of steel as a result, and a few of the steel planchets actually got minted as Jefferson nickels at the San Francisco Mint. Higher-grade pieces are worth more, and cleaned and damaged nickelsare worth less. Of all the denominations in circulation, nickels provide you with the best chances of finding old and valuable coins in your pocket change. This means that if you can find one that is struck exceptionally well, you might have one of the most expensive nickels. Or maybe it would be wiser to stick to the 1918 and 1919 nickels since they arent quite so rare. Imagine - some of these valuable records could be rattling around in your attic. Step 3: Special Qualities - Collectors support the value to old coins. A worker at the mint created this die variety when he tried to repair the surface of a coin die by polishing it to remove some imperfections. At one time, a nickel could buy a bag of candy at the corner store or an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. The design encompasses the entire two-dimensional span of the house, including the left and right-wing and the staircases at the entryway. One sold for $32,900 in 2016. It is worth noting that Jefferson nickels with all the steps on the Monticello entryway showing are highly desirable. It goes back to the issue of rising metals prices. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is inscribed around the coins left edge, while the word LIBERTY and the date, 1944, appear around the coins right edge. One does not need a magnifying glass or microscope to see the dramatic doubling on the last two digits of the year on the obverse of the coin. Examine them for the following signs of a rare coin: Even though you might not have a Jefferson nickel worth thousands of dollars, you could still have a valuable five-cent piece. The 1944 P nickel value for circulated coins is between $1.25 and $3. Depression Glass: Complete Collectors Guide for Beginners. It is clear that the Philadelphia facility produced a large number of Jefferson nickels in 1944, and most were released into general circulation. The Most Valuable Nickels, 1942-D Over Horizontal D Jefferson Nickel, 1936-D Buffalo Nickel Three and a Half Legs, 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse, 1964 Jefferson Nickel Mirror Brockage: $1,153,000, 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse: $504,164, 1916 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Obverse: $432,198, 1935 Buffalo Nickel Doubled Die Reverse: $146,238, 1937-D Buffalo Nickel Three Legs: $107,749, 1936-D Buffalo Nickel Three and a Half Legs: $22,452, 1942-D Over Horizontal D Jefferson Nickel: $11,126, Button Up: These Chic Cardigans For Women Are Challenging The Stereotype, Lotus Cars: Pinnacle Of Precision Performance, All Is Good In The Hood: The Best Hoodies For Women, The Best Denim Jackets For Men To Rock With Everything In Your Closet, From Desk To Dinner: These Womens Leather Pants Own The Room, Ready For Action: 23 Best Everyday Carry Backpacks, Best Crossbodies For Women: Hands-free Convenience Never Looked So Stylish, Aston Martin: Sophisticated, Savvy Secret-Agent Style, Dont Sweat It: The Best Sweatshirts For Men, Rolls-Royce: Regal Rides Radiating Royal Respect, Warm Wonders: Make Space For These Sumptuous Sweaters, Hold On: These Clutch Bags Are Stealing The Show. They may look like the other nickels in your pocket, but these rare and valuable Jefferson nickels all have something extra special. A small number of nickels produced in Denver in 1918 contain an error that the US Mint tried to hide. The result is a doubling or tripling of the design, with each impression appearing at a slightly different angle. You can find a range of nickels worth money in many years, including 1880, 1885, 1919, 1920, 1926, 1927, 1936, 1937, 1942, and 1964. 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. In this section, well look at the physical attributes of the 1944 nickel. The Jefferson nickel from 1944 comprises 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. One premium condition example of the 1964 nickel sold for $32,900 in 2016, equal to about $39,600 in 2022 dollars. In one rare case, the owner of a 1964 nickel with a mirror brockage was able to obtain $1.15 million in an eBay sale. This includes a number of extremely rare nickels, which can sell for thousands or even millions despite technically being worth just five cents. You will also learn about the various errors that significantly increase your nickels value. Sold: January 2008; Bowers & Merena, The January 2008 Orlando Rarities Sale. Schlag took four weeks to perfect the coins design which featured President Thomas Jeffersons profile as depicted in a Gilbert Stuart image on the obverse and the Monticello on the reverse. $4.15. This coin's extreme rarity and its pristine condition makes it the most valuable coin in the Shield nickel series. All rights reserved. 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 However, some examples are worth far more than five cents. In 2016, a high-quality version sold for $105,750, or $127,400 in 2022 dollars. And those special times can turn everyday items like nickels into the worlds most expensive nickels potentially worth millions of dollars. The following are the most expensive Jefferson nickels sold. 1927 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $5,000. 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? Many of the 1944 P nickels came out with a poor strike resulting from the Mint using worn, clumsily polished dies. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. Additionally, the brilliance of this normally ruddy coin sets it apart from all others and commands such a high value. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. Value of these silver nickels is further based on collector interest. This Philadelphia-minted nickel from 1887 features Liberty on one side and III on the other. 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