Jefferson Nickel Values
Which Jefferson Nickels are worth more than five cents? War nickels, key dates, Full Steps coins, and error varieties.
The Jefferson Nickel has been minted every year since 1938. The vast majority are worth five cents. A nickel from 1964 is worth a nickel. A nickel from 1940 is worth a nickel. That's the reality for most dates and conditions.
The exceptions are war nickels (1942–1945, which contain silver), a handful of key dates in uncirculated condition, and error varieties. This guide covers all of them.
Which Nickels Are Worth Money?
Here is the quick breakdown:
- 1942–1945 with large mint mark above Monticello: These are war nickels. They contain 35% silver and are worth $1.50 to $3+ each. See War Nickel Values →
- 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S, 1950-D: Key dates with lower mintages. Worth $2 to $50+ depending on condition.
- Any Jefferson nickel in MS65+ condition: Even common dates bring $5 to $20 in gem uncirculated condition. Full Steps (FS) designation adds more.
- Error varieties: The 1943/2-P overdate, 1942/1 overdate, 1955 doubled die, and various repunched mint marks.
- Everything else: Face value. Five cents.
Key Date Jefferson Nickels
What About Common Date Nickels?
Jefferson Nickels from the 1940s through the 1960s are among the most common US coins. If your nickel is from 1946 to 1964 and shows circulation wear, it's worth five cents. Period. This includes the heavily searched dates like 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1962, 1963, and 1964. People search for these dates online hoping they're valuable. They are not, unless they're in gem uncirculated condition or have an error.
The one thing that can add value to a common-date Jefferson nickel is the Full Steps (FS) designation. On the reverse, Monticello has a set of steps at the base. If all five (or six, depending on the grading service) steps are sharply struck and fully separated, the coin receives a Full Steps designation. FS coins bring premiums that can be dramatic for certain dates.
Error Varieties Worth Looking For
How Much Is a Nickel Worth by Decade
1938–1942 (pre-war): Common Philadelphia dates: face value. D and S mints from 1938–1939: $1 to $15+ circulated, more uncirculated.
1942–1945 (war nickels): $1.50 to $3 each for the silver content. More for uncirculated or key dates. See War Nickel Values →
1946–1964: Face value in circulated condition. $3 to $10 uncirculated for common dates. $20 to $100+ for Full Steps examples of scarce dates.
1965–2003: Face value in all conditions except gem uncirculated Full Steps.
2004–2005 Westward Journey: Special designs (Peace Medal, Keelboat, Bison, Ocean in View). Face value circulated. $1 to $3 uncirculated.
2006–present: Face value. The 2006+ redesign features a new forward-facing Jefferson portrait.
Full Steps: The Hidden Value
The Full Steps designation is what separates a $0.05 nickel from a $50 nickel for common dates, and a $50 nickel from a $5,000 nickel for key dates. The steps of Monticello are the weakest point of the strike. Most nickels have mushy, incomplete steps. A coin with all steps sharply defined is rare for most dates.
Dates that are particularly difficult to find with Full Steps include 1938-S, 1939-S, 1953-S, 1954-S, and 1962-D. A common-date nickel worth face value can be worth $100 to $500+ with a Full Steps designation at MS65 or above.
How to Find the Mint Mark
On Jefferson Nickels minted 1938 to 1964, the mint mark is on the reverse, to the right of Monticello. On war nickels (1942–1945), it's the large letter above Monticello. Starting in 1968, the mint mark moved to the obverse, below the date.
- No letter (1938–1964): Philadelphia
- D: Denver
- S: San Francisco (proofs only after 1970)
- P above Monticello (1942–1945): Philadelphia war nickel
Get a Free Quote on Your Jefferson Nickels
Not sure what your coins are worth? US Gold and Coin evaluates jefferson nickels for free. No appointment needed. No obligation to sell.
Visit us in Dallas, Austin, Tampa, Fort Worth, Waco, Kansas City, Overland Park, Lawrence, or Honolulu. We also accept mail-in submissions with insured shipping.
Related Guides
Nickel Values — Full guide to all US nickel series.
War Nickel Values — 1942–1945 silver war nickel values.
Buffalo Nickel Values — 1913–1938 Buffalo Nickel values by date.
Coin Grading Guide — How condition affects value and when grading pays off.