Updated: February 13, 2024
Published: January 23, 2024
This is a list of the 50 most valuable nickels of all time, from the very first U.S. nickel (the 1866 Shield nickel) to the present day. We ranked more than 130 of the most popular rare nickels by auction records, and these were the 50 most expensive.
| Rank | Nickel Type | Value |
|---|
| #1 | 1913 Liberty "V" (pop. 5) | $4,560,000 |
| #2 | 1918/7-D Buffalo | $350,750 |
| #3 | 1926-S Buffalo | $322,000 |
| #4 | 1916 Buffalo DDO | $281,750 |
| #5 | 1880 Shield | $198,995 |
| #6 | 1913-D Buffalo Type 2 | $143,750 |
| #7 | 1917-S Buffalo | $138,000 |
| #8 | 1920-D Buffalo | $138,000 |
| #9 | 1918-S Buffalo | $125,350 |
| #10 | 1927-S Buffalo | $125,350 |
The Famous 1913 Liberty Nickel ($4,560,000). Graded PR66 by PCGS. Only 5 of these coins are known to exist.
| Rank | Nickel Type | Value |
|---|
| #11 | 1919-S Buffalo | $109,250 |
| #12 | 1924-S Buffalo | $105,750 |
| #13 | 1935 DDR Buffalo | $104,650 |
| #14 | 1937-D 3 Legs Buffalo | $99,875 |
| #15 | 1925-S Buffalo | $87,400 |
| #16 | 1913 Buffalo Type 1 | $79,313 |
| #17 | 1885 Liberty "V" | $74,750 |
| #18 | 1926-D Buffalo | $70,500 |
| #19 | 1923-S Buffalo | $67,563 |
| #20 | 1886 Liberty "V" | $64,625 |
1880 Shield Nickel ($198,995). Graded MS66 by PCGS
| Rank | Nickel Type | Value |
|---|
| #21 | 1914/3 Buffalo | $63,250 |
| #22 | 1929 Buffalo | $63,250 |
| #23 | 1931-S Buffalo | $63,250 |
| #24 | 1883/2 Shield | $60,000 |
| #25 | 1925-D Buffalo | $57,500 |
| #26 | 1935 Buffalo | $57,500 |
| #27 | 1915-S Buffalo | $55,813 |
| #28 | 1918 Buffalo | $55,200 |
| #29 | 1921-S Buffalo | $51,750 |
| #30 | 1913-S Buffalo Type 2 | $49,938 |
1918/7 Buffalo Nickel ($350,750). Graded MS65+ by PCGS
| Rank | Nickel Type | Value |
|---|
| #31 | 1914-S Buffalo | $46,000 |
| #32 | 1927-D Buffalo | $46,000 |
| #33 | 1928-S Buffalo | $46,000 |
| #34 | 1920-S Buffalo | $44,563 |
| #35 | 1924-D Buffalo | $44,063 |
| #36 | 1867 Shield with Rays | $41,125 |
| #37 | 1912-D Liberty "V" | $41,125 |
| #38 | 1914 Buffalo | $39,550 |
| #39 | 1912-S Liberty "V" | $37,375 |
| #40 | 1929-S Buffalo | $36,000 |
1954-S Jefferson Nickel Full Steps ($35,250). Graded MS67 FS by PCGS
| Rank | Nickel Type | Value |
|---|
| #41 | 1916-S Buffalo | $35,250 |
| #42 | 1937-D Buffalo | $35,250 |
| #43 | 1954-S Jefferson FS | $35,250 |
| #44 | 1935-D Buffalo | $34,800 |
| #45 | 1938-D Jefferson FS | $33,600 |
| #46 | 1949-D/S Jefferson FS | $32,900 |
| #47 | 1914-D Buffalo | $32,775 |
| #48 | 1913-D Buffalo Type 1 | $32,200 |
| #49 | 1925 Buffalo | $32,200 |
| #50 | 1942-D over horizontal D Jefferson FS | $32,200 |
Why Isn’t [famous nickel] Listed?
The biggest surprise we had when compiling this list was how many famous rare nickels didn’t make the cut. The 1936-D “3 and a half legs” Buffalo nickel ($20,700) and the 1883 “No Cents” Liberty nickel ($12,075) are just some of the popular rare nickels whose auction records scored below the $32,000 cut-off of the Top 50 most expensive nickels.
1883 Liberty Head nickel. The absence of the word "cents" in the design led to many of these 5-cent coins being plated in gold and pawned off as $5 coins!
Why Are There So Many Buffalo Nickels?
The other big surprise was just how many Buffalo nickels made the Top 50 Nickels list. There were two major reasons: popularity and supply of unimpaired coins. The Buffalo nickel is one of the most popular coins to collect. This means that demand for Mint State examples has been high for more than 100 years.
The difference between supply and demand is compounded by the high relief of the Buffalo nickel design. The high points of the coin, notably the cheek, feathers, and hair on the obverse and the top of the buffalo on the reverse were easily worn away.
Jefferson Full Steps (FS)
There have been 70 BILLION Jefferson nickels since its introduction in 1938. This explains the comparatively low all-time highs for most mintages, though several are worth thousands of dollars.
The truly rare Jefferson Nickels (and the only ones to make the Top 50 Most Valuable Nickels list) are those with “Full Steps” on Monticello on the reverse. The need to stretch out the life of the coin dies meant that most Jefferson nickels were not struck sharply enough to bring out the details of the building’s steps.
Those lucky enough to get a strike sharp enough to form Full Steps command premiums far above normally-struck coins. The extreme rarity of getting six full steps has led the coin grading industry to count five steps as Full Steps as well.
Read more about coin values and coin collecting from the author:
1909 VDB Penny Value, Errors, and Varieties
1942 Nickel No Mintmark: Values & Strange History Explained
What Are Coin Mint Marks? All About Mint Marks
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Values, Errors, and Rarities
Most Asked Questions About US Mint Coins: Buyer's Guide
Elizabeth | 5/7/2024
any value to a 1974 no mint quarter
1 Reply
Everett | 5/8/2024
Hey Elizabeth. There aren't any well-known "no mintmark" errors with the 1974 quarter. It's possible you discovered a new error coin, but otherwise your quarter is simply from the Philadelphia Mint. It may be worth about $6 if the coin is in Mint State.
0 Reply
FAQs
Here's a quick list of nickels worth money:
- 1913 Liberty Head Nickel: $4.5 million highest recorded auction value.
- 1937-D Buffalo Nickel (Three-Legged): $99,875 highest recorded auction value.
- 1927-S Buffalo Nickel: $250,000 highest recorded auction value.
The 1885 V-Nickel is the coin that is most sought after by dealers as well as collectors. This coin is considered elusive and difficult to obtain. Even with considerable wear and tear, an 1885 V-Nickel may be worth nearly $400.
What are the 10 most valuable nickels? ›
The Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels
| TYPE | YEAR | ESTIMATED VALUE |
|---|
| Liberty Head V Nickel | 1913 | $3,737,500 |
| 7-D Buffalo Nickel | 1918 | $350,750 |
| S Buffalo Nickel | 1926 | $322,000 |
| Buffalo Nickel | 1916 | $281,750 |
6 more rowsJan 23, 2024
#1: 1964 SMS: >$15,000 IN MS65
This Jefferson Nickel can easily fetch over $10,000. Only 40 of these coins are known to exist in the whole world. They're not error coins; rather, they are a Special Mint Set (SMS) that the mint never released to the general public.
What year should I keep nickels? ›
Older Nickels: Anything before 1960 is worth keeping for its potential value. War Nickels: Made from 1942 to 1945, these have a higher silver content and are more valuable.
What makes the 1964 nickel so rare? ›
In 1964, the US Mint produced nickels containing 35% silver and 56% copper, making them a unique and valuable addition to any coin collection. The silver content in these nickels contributes to their increased worth compared to regular circulation coins.
What is a 1984 nickel worth? ›
1984 Jefferson Nickels
| Jefferson Nickels | Value Range |
|---|
| Jefferson Nickels | Value Range |
|---|
| 1984-P 5c MS | $0.20 - $6.75 $0.20 - $6.75 |
| 1984-P 5c MS FS | $18.90 - $2,500 $18.90 - $2,500 |
| 1984-D 5c MS | $0.20 - $455 $0.20 - $455 |
4 more rowsThe obverse design, for the first time in 67 years, shows a new likeness of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson. The image appears only on the 2005 nickels in recognition of Jefferson's role in the Louisiana Purchase and in commissioning the Lewis and Clark expedition.
How to identify 1964 special strike nickel? ›
The fields are usually well struck, very clean and tend to come without any major nicks or scratches. The edges for most 1964 SMS coins also tend to be square and sharp.
Is a 1999 nickel worth anything? ›
The 1999-D Jefferson Nickel is worth face value.
The 1997 Satin Finish Jefferson Nickel was produced with specially prepared planchets and coin dies. Therefore, most coins tend to be in high Uncirculated grades of MS65 and higher with some of them being up to perfect condition.
Is a 1970's nickel worth anything? ›
Value of 1970-S Jefferson Nickel
This coin does not have any precious metal content, so it is worth face value.
How much is a 1961 D nickel worth? ›
1961 D Jefferson Nickel Value
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of September 2024, a Jefferson Nickel from 1961 in circulated condition is worth between $0.10 and $0.20. However, on the open market 1961 D Nickels in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $2750.
Are nickels before 1965 worth anything? ›
Jefferson nickels generally range in value from face (five cents) to a few dollars. Even the 35% silver wartime nickels bring only a few dollars in circulated condition. Uncirculated coins have a huge range of value, from a few dollars to tens of thousands for mint-condition pre-1965 samples.
Why is a 1964 nickel worth so much? ›
Factors that make a 1964 nickel valuable include its condition (with uncirculated or high-grade coins being worth more), the presence of full steps on Monticello, and any mint errors.
Is a 1963 US nickel worth anything? ›
According to the NGC Price Guide, as of September 2024, a Jefferson Nickel from 1963 in circulated condition is worth between $0.10 and $0.20. However, on the open market 1963 Nickels in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $550.
Are 1980s nickels worth money? ›
There are a number of 1980 Jefferson nickels that were double-struck to varying degrees. Some were circulated, as the double strike is barely noticeable to the untrained eye. These can sell for around $20 to a collector. An uncirculated 1980 Double Struck Jefferson Nickel is currently for sale on eBay for $1,050.
