They may look like any other nickel in your pocket, but there is something extra special about these rare and valuable Jefferson Nickels.
What to see in Valuable Jefferson Nickels?
Jefferson nickels have been around for a long time, and they are available for almost any pocket change. However, it is worth taking a closer look at them to see if you might have something valuable. Check rare coins for the following signs:V
Early Dates:
In Jefferson nickel collections, coins from 1938 to 1961 are often the most valuable. This doesn’t mean that every coin from this era is very valuable, but these early dates are a good starting point.
Full Steps:
Many of the most valuable Jefferson nickels have full steps on Monticello, so take out a magnifying glass to examine. Five steps is good, and six steps is even better. The steps should be as precise as possible.
10 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Ever Sold:
#1 – 1953-S Full Steps $24,000
A particularly rare example to find with complete steps, the 1953 issue Jefferson nickel from the San Francisco Mint can be very valuable. There are only 24 known examples with complete steps, and one sold for $24,000 in 2019.
#2 – 1939 Reverse of 1940 – $23,500
Another example of a coin being stamped with a reverse design of a different year, the 1939 Jefferson nickel with a 1940 reverse design is a valuable coin, especially in excellent condition. More than 120 million of these reverses were minted, and approximately 40,000 still survive. Very few people are in good enough condition to show the steps. If complete steps are shown then the price of this coin can be in thousands. One sold in 2014 for $23,500.
#3 – 1964 Full Steps With Satin Finish – $22,800
The full step version of the 1964 Jefferson nickel is rare, but this one in soft satin finish is even rarer. Only about 19 exist with this finish, possibly part of an unofficial mint set. One in exceptional condition sold in 2019 for $22,800.
#4 – 1962 Full Steps – $21,150
Although 1962 Jefferson nickels are extremely common, the large number of them minted means that the dies that made them have worn out. Typical perfect phase coins are extremely rare for this reason, and it is very unusual for any to survive in almost uncirculated condition. An example sold in 2013 for $21,150.
#5 – 1939 Doubled Monticello – $20,562
If you look at the backs of some 1939 Jefferson nickels, you can see there is double stamping. This is especially well visible in the words “Monticello” and “Five Cents”. These coins are valuable no matter what condition they are in. In nearly new condition, they are extremely rare, with one selling for $20,562 in 2016.
#6 – 2000-P Two-Headed Nickel – $20,520
When a coin is struck twice, but the planchet (or coin blank) is rotated between the two strikes, this creates a very rare and interesting minting error. This is particularly unusual with the obverse or reverse side of the coin, and there is only one known example of this happening. A 2000 Jefferson nickel struck at the Philadelphia Mint features two overlapping heads and sold for $20,520 in 2018.
#7 – 1964-D Repunched Mintmark – $19,800
You may need a magnifying glass to see the re-punched and overlapping D above the D mintmark in some of the 1964 Jefferson nickels from the Denver Mint. These coins are very rare, with only eight examples known; However, they are also very easy to miss. In any case, it might be worth taking a closer look at the 1964-D nickel, as one in beautiful condition sold for $19,800 in 2022.
#8 – 1941 Proof Minting – $18,800
Although 18,700 proof copies of the 1941 nickel were printed, most went into circulation. Very few were set aside for collection, and even many of those were not in pristine condition. The finest known example sold in 2013 for $18,800.
#9 – 2007 George Washington Dollar Over Jefferson Nickel – $17,625
A particularly dramatic mining error, the 2007 George Washington dollar coin was hit over Jefferson Nickel. The dollar coin strike is out of the center, so you can still see that the coin is a nickel too. It sold for $17,625 in 2016.
#10 1950-D Full Steps – $17,250
The rarest Jefferson nickel in terms of original mintage, the 1950 issue from the Denver Mint was less than three million minted. However, collectors of the time were less aware of the mintage and immediately began hoarding the coins and storing them carefully to preserve their condition. Despite the low mintage, they are quite easy to find in uncirculated condition.
Nevertheless, some coins were sharp and clear, and it is rare to see the complete steps of Monticello on one. An example sold in 2006 for $17,250.