Did you know that Jefferson nickels , the 5-cent coin that Americans have seen in their pocket change since 1938, actually contains a few date and mint mark combinations that are considered scarce?

Believe it or not, the Jefferson nickels series contains a few coins with less than 10 million total struck -- a low enough number which, for a popularly collected series like Jefferson nickels warrants these particular dates to be considered relatively scarce.

Making matters all the better is that these scarce Jefferson nickels actually can be found in circulation -- with a bit of luck, of course!

So, which Jefferson nickels are considered relatively scarce, with mintages of less than 10 million?

Those collecting coins from pocket change are probably wondering:

What kinds of coins can I find in circulation?

While it is theoretically possible to find any legal tender coin in circulation, including old and even rare issues, the likelihood of finding such coins in your pocket change is small (but not impossible).

This brings us to remember that the grand majority of the coins to be found in circulation today are primarily from among the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter denominations, and are usually coins struck from sometime during the last few decades.

Half-dollars have not been regularly seen in circulation in many years (but can be found at banks), and dollar coins have yet to reach their circulation potential -- many can be found at banks, some stores, and certain vending machines which operate for transit authorities and the U.S. Postal Service.

The Buffalo nickel -- the design of the United States' 5-cent coin from 1913 to 193 -- remains one of the most popular and well-loved coins.

This, despite the fact that it has been nearly a century since Buffalo nickels first appeared in the pockets and purses of Americans.

Here's everything you want to know about Buffalo nickels and what they're worth today.

World War II caused the United States and its citizens to ration certain materials with the purpose of keeping around important resources for winning the war. The United States Treasury and the U.S. Mint followed suit.

While most people are aware of the steel Lincoln pennies which were produced in 1943, fewer seem to know that the Jefferson silver nickels also spent a short period of time being produced under a special composition issue.

With nickel an important military material, the United States Congress required the U.S. Mint to begin striking nickels from a composition of copper (56%), silver (35%), and manganese (9%).

Here's more about those silver Jefferson "wartime" nickels.

Chances are, you have probably run across a few pieces of coin jewelry in your time.

Coin jewelry is any coin that has been altered due to drilling, cutting, faceting, plating, or all of the above.

Is it legal? Is it worth anything?

In a previous article I wrote about coin folders and gave some suggestions on how to collect coins using them.

But maybe you found or inherited a folder that's already complete, or you just completed your own.

How much is it worth?

In my last article I wrote about coin folders; but most coin collectors also have coins in some sort of individual holders. Especially the little cardboard ones with a plastic window in the middle -- I think they've been using those for most of the last century!

The fact is, coin holders are one of the best ways to keep your coins safe.

If you're like the average person who has only had brief contact with coin collecting, you've probably seen or owned at least one of those classic blue Whitman coin folders.

You know, the ones with the picture of the coin on the front and cardboard with lots of little round holes inside.

The other day I found a 1938 Jefferson nickel in my change. My initial thought was, "Wow... this is 70 years old. Surely it must be worth something."

I think a lot of people tend to think that.

If there's a coin collector in your life -- or a non-collector who is just a little interested in some specific coins -- here's a list of gift ideas that you can bet no one else is going to get them!

These one-of-a-kind coin-related items make great Christmas and Birthday gifts for a friend or relative who has coins, even if they're just a beginner.

Some of these fun gifts can also be personalized in unique ways, too.