Got Rare Nickels? The 25 Most Valuable Nickels & How Much They’re Worth

by

Joshua

Coin Values, Hobbies & Crafts

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Do you have any rare nickels in your change jar?

Every day, people are finding valuable nickels in their pocket change, rolls of coins, and in other places. Of course, you have to be pretty lucky to find ’em.

Rare Nickels

But you also have to know what you’re looking for!

In my many years of collecting coins, I’ve found numerous nickels worth more than face value.

Scarce and rare coins are out there for the taking, but you need to know which dates are the most valuable.

This list includes many nickels that don’t really circulate any more, but you may still find them in estate sales, yard sales, antique shops, and other unusual places.

Start checking your coins!

Most Valuable Nickels – Dates You Should Know

Next to each rare nickel listed, you’ll see how much it’s worth right now.

They are ranked here from the most valuable ($3.7 million) to the least valuable ($50).

  1. 1913 Liberty nickel ($3.7 million) — Just 5 Liberty Head nickels were made with the 1913 date, and they are all highly valuable now. The 1913 Liberty nickel became the first United States coin to hit the $100,000 mark back in 1972, and it became the first $1 million coin in 1996.
  2. 1916/16 Buffalo nickel ($3,950) — This is the second-most valuable nickel in a grade of Good-4 and is widely considered the most popular error nickel.
  3. 1877 proof Shield nickel ($2,100) — Only proof nickels were made in 1877, though many entered circulation and that’s why some of these proof nickels show signs of wear. A Very Fine 1877 nickel is worth an astounding $2,100.
  4. 1878 proof Shield nickel ($1,100) — 1878 Shield nickels were only made as proof coins, too. but many escaped into circulation and are now worn. If you have an 1877 nickel, it could easily be worth more than $1,000.
  5. 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel ($1,000) — Like the 1916/16 nickel, the 1918-7-D nickel is also a popular error coin. The $1,000 price tag is for a coin in a grade of Good-4.
  6. 1936–D 3½-legged Buffalo nickel ($750) — This is a very popular error coin, and one that was created when the die that strikes the reverse design was over-polished, accidentally removing half of the buffalo’s front leg. This error coin is worth about $750 in Good-4.
  7. 1885 Liberty Head nickel ($585) — This is a key coin in the Liberty nickel series and is difficult to find in any grade.
  8. 1937-D 3-legged Buffalo nickel ($535) — Just as was the case for the 1936-D 3½-legged Buffalo nickel, over-polishing of the die caused the virtual removal of the Buffalo’s front leg on this 1937 nickel. Expect to pay a shade over $500 for an example grading Good-4.
  9. 1880 Shield nickel ($500) — Less than 20,000 Shield nickels were made in 1880 and they are very difficult to find. Even in the lowly grade of Good-4, an 1880 Shield nickel is worth $500.
  10. 1879 Shield nickel ($390) — Like the 1880 nickel, the 1879 Shield 5-cent coin is also a tough cookie, and given its price tag of $390, you could buy a lot of cookies if you sold one of these coins.
  11. 1913-S Type II Buffalo nickel ($340) — A first-year type coin struck during a year when two versions of the same design were made, the 1913 Type II Buffalo nickel shows the beloved bison standing on a line rather than a mound.
  12. 1997-P matte proof finish uncirculated Jefferson nickel ($325) — The only Jefferson nickel on this list is a doozie of a valuable nickel, and it was only available in special commemorative coin sets. Maybe you have one?
  13. 1886 Liberty nickel ($285) — Another key-date nickel in the Liberty Head series, the 1886 is another date worth hundreds of dollars even in a grade of Good-4.
  14. 1881 Shield nickel ($260) — Shield nickels strike again on this list, and this time its another early 1880s date.
  15. 1914/3 Buffalo nickel ($250) — Buffalo nickel overdates are scarce, and the inclusion of yet another on this list of most valuable nickels proves it.
  16. 1883/2 Shield nickel ($220) — A Shield nickel overdate is among the more rare early nickels, though there usually isn’t a slot for a piece like this in a typical coin album. Overdate coins are typically something that series specialists collect.
  17. 1912-S Liberty nickel ($165) — The 1912-S is a scarce date that every collector needs to complete the Liberty Head, or “V” nickel series.
  18. 1913-D Type II Buffalo nickel ($125) — This Denver Type II Buffalo nickel from 1913 poses a challenge for any collector looking to assemble a complete set of the series.
  19. 1914/3-D Buffalo nickel ($115) — I’ve listed several Buffalo varieties in this rundown of the top 25 most valuable nickels by this point, and here’s yet another. As you’d suspect, most Buffalo nickel collectors don’t go after these scarce varieties — just the regular-issue pieces. But Buffalo nickel specialists just love collecting these overdate nickels. If you’ve got one, you’ve struck it rich.
  20. 1871 Shield nickel ($72) — A regular-issue Shield nickel worth less than $100 in Good-4? Yes, and the 1871 nickel is a great example of a business-strike coin from the 1870s that simply wasn’t very common.
  21. 1921-S Buffalo nickel ($64) — This scarce nickel is a great find for anyone looking through old rolls of Buffalo nickels or “grab bag” sets at the antique store.
  22. 1935 doubled die reverse Buffalo nickel ($50) — Only 4 more coins to go on this list, and 3 of them are Buffalo nickel die varieties / errors, including this one.
  23. 1915-S Buffalo nickel ($50) — A scarce, regular-issue Buffalo nickel worth several pretty pennies in a grade of Good-4. Not a bad find if one turns up while you’re searching through old rolls or bags of Buffalo nickels.
  24. 1917-S 2 feathers Buffalo nickel ($50) — This die variety shows only 2 feathers on the headdress rather than 3. The third feather (only 2 are obvious) is usually tucked between the back of the Indians’ upper neck and the prominent vertical feather.
  25. 1918 2 feathers Buffalo nickel ($50) — This is the same type of variety as mentioned above — basically only two large feathers are seen on the native headdress instead of 3.

More About Rare Nickels & Valuable Nickels

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92 thoughts on “Got Rare Nickels? The 25 Most Valuable Nickels & How Much They’re Worth”

    • Hello, Rob —

      It looks like your coin has seen some serious circular machine damage, explaining the arcing grooves at the top and bottom of the reverse.

      Thanks for your question,
      Josh

      Reply

      • What question? I didn’t ask any questions. I was posting A FACT!!!

        In Coin World’s Digital copy that came out, There is an Article on Page 50 about my Discovery. A WHOLE PAGE too! Print Version comes out on April 20th.

        Written By Mike Diamond

        Here’s a better pic of the Rim

        Reply

        • Rob,

          Congratulations on your discovery! I thought you were posting this as a question and wanted my thoughts based on the photo (as we know images themselves don’t always provide the details that a coin can tell when physically in-hand), so I apologize for thinking it was a question!

          Cheers,
          Josh

          Reply

          • I would be happy to show you an example for your profession assessment. But you may not resell it. I would like it back to. I would be willing to pay for shipping both ways. Keep it if you send me a paper on your full assessment. I had a temper streak on the earlier comment. Coin people (not you) can be complete low life’s.

          • I’m so special that Coin World wrote an article about my discovery. I am more special then you now aren’t I?

    • Hello, Connor —

      Actually, I took measurements on the screen and the dimes are both the same size. What did happen is that the 1979 dime was struck a little off center and the 1983-P dime has what appears to be severe oxidation toward the bottom of the obverse. The edge reeding lines sometimes will sit in such a way that they appear to come up above the rim.

      Thanks for checking with us! Great and helpful photos.

      Reply

  5. I found 2 2005 buffalo nickles in mint Condition. One has a P and the other has a D. I heard they did a recall on some of the nickles due to an appendage that should not have been there. I was wondering if they were with anything or not. Thank you for your time.

    Reply

    • H, Angela —

      Good question! There was a rumor circulating in 2005 about this, most likely started by some concerned with the prepuce tassel seen between the bison’s legs. The appearance of the appendage offended some, though the coin was never subject to any recall. Worn pieces are worth face value, while uncirculated pieces are worth 10 to 20 cents each.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hello there, David!

      It’s good to hear from you. Based on the what I see in the photos, I grade the 1868 Shield nickel Fine-15 to Very Fine-20 and the 1931-S Buffalo nickel Extremely Fine-40 to Choice Extremely Fine-40. It’s tough to make grading calls when I can’t see the coin in-hand and inspect for luster or light rub and wear on certain parts of the coin, but these are my opinions based on two-dimensional photos.

      As for value and taking the grades I mentioned, both of the coins would be worth $30 to $40 each.

      Great finds!
      Josh

      Reply

      • Thank you Joshua. I understand about the hands on . I havent had much gradeing on sheld nickels . But the help you an this site prov it all in time I get better .untill next time Best .1 Fan David

        Reply

        • Thank you so much for those wonderful comments, David! I always look forward to reading your questions and trying to assist as best I can.

          Cheers,
          Josh

          Reply

  7. Hello. Josh. H

    ope every thing is good with . I wanted to send a pic of the coin . I was referring to in my question is why is this coin in U/C grade and only valued so low. As compared to others in that series. Same thing with the buffalo nickels. So please club right on this and straighten me out thank you number one fan

    Reply

    • Hello, David —

      You’ll notice that in many, but not all instances, Philadelphia-Mint one-year type coins — and especially one-year type coins that also happen to be first-year type coins, like the 1883 No Cents Liberty nickel and 1913 Philadelphia Type I Buffalo nickel — were saved in huge numbers in uncirculated grades when they were first released. Many were saved in far greater numbers than issues from later in the series. Interesting to note, too, is that many collectors a century ago had a preference for saving Philadelphia-mint coins, as that is the minting headquarters.

      That is also why many higher-grade mintmarked coins from the 1930s and earlier are found in far smaller numbers than their same-date Philadelphia counterparts.

      I hope this info helps!
      Josh

      Reply

    • HI, Blake —

      What a great old find. The “1” was obliterated through post-mint damage. Still, this piece is collectible and worth 8 to 10 cents, or a little more than face value.

      Thank you for your question and photo!
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hello, David!

      It’s great to hear from you again! The value of a 1911 Liberty nickel in Very Fine-20 grade (as yours seems to be based on the photos) is approximately $8 to $10.

      Thank you for your question and photos!
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hello, David —

      In the strictest sense of grading, the high points on the obverse of Liberty nickel include the hair above the ear and forehead. It’s important to note that a weak strike may result in fewer strong hairlines, but would still be absent of rub marks if the coin is truly uncirculated. That’s why a close inspection of any coin that includes both a basic look at present detail AND signs of rub is important when grading, especially in the case of grading coins that are candidates for being labeled uncirculated.

      I hope this helps!
      Josh

      Reply

  11. Hello, Joshua. How are you? I thought I would get your thoughts on this 1867 ,three cents nickel ,about its condition an worth . I think it looks to be in a grade of E.F.40 , maybe . An one question Id like to no ,is there a value of a coin that should be to have it graded by a third party an slaved. What do you think ? … Thanks https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f4594641397b06cc163d109fddd4ac0ad01538eb2f255b8ddb7151ae165a9db5.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4ef61ea5e2295860b28203d1848e9b0fa468537247b64f1af8e2a014ad8c9b57.png

    Reply

    • Hi, David —

      This piece might grade XF but it I can’t tell if this has mottled/woodgrain type toning or is porous. Porous coins aren’t slabbed by many third-party coin grading firms. If this is porous, I’d say the value is probably in the $15 to $20 range, more or less.

      As for the value threshold on when to slab, that’s a judgement call you’ll need to make knowing this: it costs between $15 and $30, sometimes more based on shipping and processing options, to slab a coin by your major third-party coin grading firms. So, if you think you’ll net a profit on the coin above that, then it might be worth slabbing.

      Here’s some info on the really good third-party coin grading firms: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/

      Good luck!
      Josh

      Reply

      • Hay Joshua, Now I have to look in the back of my red book to see if this what exactly what these two word,s keen ,an if it is ,{Porous } or a { Woodgrain type ] I guess that all in learning about this thing call Coin Collecting …It All Good ,,, Thank,s

        Reply

    • Hi, Erica —

      Your 1929 Standing Liberty quarter is worth about $5 to $6. This is a GREAT collectible coin.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

  14. I have a 1942 Nickel with s above the montecello and a 1942 nickel with d on the side of the montecello. What you think josh?

    Reply

    • Hello, Kada!

      You have two types of Jefferson nickels. The one with the “D” on the side of Monticello is a regular Jefferson nickel that was made during the earlier part of 1942 and has a “D” (Denver) mintmark. It is worth about 10 cents. As for the 1942-S Jefferson nickel with the San Francisco mintmark atop Monticello, that is what collectors call a “wartime” Jefferson five-cent coin. Unlike your 1942-D Jefferson nickel, the 1942-S you have is made partly from silver and was produced later in the year. Why a nickel made from silver? The U.S. government rationed nickel for World War II artillery and from late 1942 through 1945 made Jefferson five-cent coins from an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese.

      You can read much more info about this cool story here: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/silver_nickels/

      By the way, your 1942-S silver Jefferson five-cent coin is worth about $1.50.

      Cool finds!
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hello, Mohamed —

      A 1937-D Buffalo nickel in what appears to be Fine condition is worth about 85 cents to $1.

      Nice classic coin!
      -Josh

      Reply

  16. Hey Josh. So I’ve recently coin roll hunted in my city’s Credit Union and I found some 1940 p nickels with possible die cracks? Also, I’ve included a photo showing a 1940 p nickel without one. How much do you say they’re worth?
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dfefa8dfe5ad1c1a8779bf7ef2c71aec415fef450706cf1ddbf3ee302a1457d5.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d75a5ed234d1f163ccb7defab72c1c3bcbd0194eff871990900899c15b9f11f0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/31f4c5fcb9a79e4b313feab154e99cf88d65601e652490516bd68f5c6b1a4e16.jpg

    Reply

  17. I Just found a nickel today But it does not have the front print it does not even have a date on it. Is it worth anything?

    Reply

    • Hi, Amanda —

      Without seeing a photo of the coin to confirm, I am pretty confident this is the result of a post-Mint alteration. If so, it’s worth about 7 to 10 cents in circulated condition.

      Best wishes,
      Josh

      Reply

  19. Ha! It looks like somebody etched a moustache on Roosevelt a la artist Salvadore Dali!

    What a neat post-Mint alteration!
    -Josh

    Reply

  20. hi joshua, en realidad si ves la moneda en mano puedes ver que no fue grabado por alguien creo que vino con la moneda orinalmente

    Reply

  21. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8d8e57076124df51eff6c3c11a152607d76eda66f64898ba2a45acd2f952ad18.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b65cd128502339fb87e0d540daa33850a76f535c529fe483f224d8ec8d3285ca.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0a0550cb6de51a3e78d0b6e5b4f6e25e821c9fa08e5e690379c1b547029b749b.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a727502e98dd7f7e7fe5859b21ca1737579d2a9c079a3e597eb912126a79a2ab.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/616ccf657b3fbaacd01f7d3dd1a6aaa0652b44ebfdf9bded704cd700319f6606.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ed27fef652a152ad9f96891c38d675a4e832b61166b6402fa2c61804d088e7f6.jpg

    Reply

  22. Hi, Alex —

    The 1982 cent is within usual weight tolerances, so 2.52 grams is totally normal. The 1981 Lincoln cent definitely has some post-Mint damage — I bet you’re theory is correct on why it’s so beaten up.

    Keep on making these cool finds!
    Josh

    Reply

  23. i have 2 1969 s dd every is doubled exceptnot radicly u have kind of tilt it s east alittle to see the dubling mint mark the letter s is not doubled do u think ive found the holy grail not once but twice

    Reply

  24. @JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide:disqus
    Hey , Would you know if this is a are legitimate error coin??? Thanks

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d988ab714e4239f548c3823eecbdef082457538ac483e36d1a5b5f29ef633f60.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/111cd8161fb96dc9826f4f25f20ffacf67c9be5b5f7a674ada2fca0c9815d8f1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a00e2c050cc7827f1147b9cda2626c34b53852013c7a05906926948ae20264f.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b7feeebd3676d5de8361014a9b341768976f5387a5ffce06235947b49ecb545f.jpg

    Reply

    • Hi, Felicia —

      That little “V” cut into the rim is post-mint damage, but this 1911 Liberty Head (or “V”) nickel is still a great antique coin in otherwise original condition with a value of about $1 or so.

      Best wishes,
      Josh

      Reply

  27. Hi i have a 1945 D wheat penny. The E in the word ONE looked damaged, but once i looked closer it looks like the print of the wheat? Any thoughts? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/51efb4dd5ef627c1bea7d0eb462496deb665c3b55b518797c7deb1bc1e62b99a.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9bf4caf4aa54c43d790380640df781085127518df0eef400345545d54f3f0915.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0a6f724fb536dd7acbe0066e3d5cfb5afa37e67ed38ee7a29bd3349e34bfa1b0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dafb80e6b81b948a3409c5d22afcd0b0c946cf9a60defac8975ca6243aa6ddc2.jpg

    Reply

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