Many old nickels are worth more than face value, with some rare dates and mints fetching thousands of dollars. The first and most obvious nickel that is worth big money is the 1866 Nickel with Rays, which is considered to be one of the rarest coins in America.
If you have one of these, it could be worth $300,000 or more.
Although much rarer and more valuable than the 1866, the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most famous rare nickels. This five cent piece was made in small quantities, with only five known examples in existence.
An extremely rare 1913 Liberty Nickel was auctioned off in 2020 for an impressive $3. 3 million.
The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel is another popular rare nickel that is worth money. This particular nickel is fairly easy to find in circulated condition, which is typical prices between $200 and $500. But if you’re lucky enough to find a mint state condition coin, it can be worth up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Other rare nickels that are worth money include the 1911-D (made at the Denver mint), the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse, the 1916-S (made at the San Francisco mint), the 1916-D (made at the Denver mint) and the 1942/1 Nickel Overdate.
If you have any of these coins, it would be worth getting them appraised by a professional numismatic expert.
Table of Contents
Are nickels before 1965 worth anything?
Yes, nickels from before 1965 are worth something. However, the amount of money they are worth depends on whether they are circulated, uncirculated, or contain errors.
Circulated nickels, which are generally those that were used in everyday commerce, are worth anywhere from a few cents to many dollars, depending on the coin’s condition, as well as its rarity.
Uncirculated nickels are those that were not distributed for use, and may be worth more than those that were circulated. Generally, uncirculated nickels are worth more because they are in better condition and are less common than circulated coins.
Finally, nickels that contain mistakes or errors, such as mismatched dates, may be worth much more than those without errors. Nickels with errors are rare and highly sought after by coin collectors, so they may be worth more, depending on the error’s rarity.
In conclusion, nickels from before 1965 may be worth something depending on their condition, whether or not they’ve been circulated, and any errors present.
What are the key dates to look for in nickels?
When it comes to key dates to look for in nickels, there are several to be aware of. Among the most sought-after coins are the 1913-S Liberty Head nickel, the 1885 Liberty Head nickel, the 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel, and the 1937-D Three Legged Buffalo nickel.
The 1913-S Liberty Head nickel is perhaps the most sought-after date, as only five of these coins are known to exist. With an altered die, the 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel is an extremely rare coin, with less than ten believed to still exist.
The 1885 Liberty Head nickel is also highly desirable due to its low mintage, with only 2,350 coins being minted. The 1937-D Three Legged Buffalo nickel is well-known for errors that occurred during its production, including “three legged” or “extra feather” varieties.
Outside of these rare key dates, there are several other important dates to keep an eye out for. The 1942 and 1945 nickels made from 35% silver are collectibles in their own right, as are the Satin Finish coin sets from 1968 and the special mint sets from 1969.
The 1982-D copper-plated zinc nickel is also a valuable find, as it was inadvertently produced and released into circulation. Finally, the popular Westward Journey nickels series from 2004-2006 is often coveted by collectors.
In conclusion, coin collectors and numismatists alike should keep an eye out for a variety of key dates when looking for nickels. With a number of rare and highly valuable dates in circulation, there’s always the chance of finding a gem!.
Is the 1964 nickel worth anything?
Yes, the 1964 nickel can be worth something depending on its condition and the type of 1964 nickel that it is. 1964 nickels that were minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark and contain 35% silver. These silver nickels were only produced for circulation in 1964, and as such can be more valuable than other more commonly produced nickel denominations.
Nickels that are in extremely good condition, known as uncirculated, can fetch more money than those that show wear and appear to have made their way into circulation at some point. 1964 nickels in uncirculated condition start around $3-4, but can go for over $20 for the perfect specimen.
Nickels minted in Denver in 1964 have a “D” mint mark and no silver; these are much more common and are worth less than those minted in Philadelphia, usually only ranging from a few cents to a few dollars.
Are 1980s nickels worth money?
Yes, 1980s nickels are worth money, depending on their condition, mintmark, and date. Generally, any Jefferson nickel from the 1980s with a full, unlearned obverse and reverse will be worth a minimum of 5 cents.
However, some of the more valuable 1980s nickels can fetch prices far greater than face value. For example, the 1980 D Jefferson nickel, also known as the “No S” variety, can be extremely valuable as an uncirculated piece.
This coin was omitted from production in 1980 and only a few ever escaped minting. If a 1980 D Jefferson nickel is found in uncirculated condition, it can be worth anywhere from $50 to $400. Of the more widely distributed date and mintmark combinations, the 1982 and 1983 No-P nickel are the most valuable.
These coins were in circulation briefly and can command a premium of up to $20. On the other hand, the 1984 and 1985 Jefferson nickels in uncirculated condition can fetch prices between $1 to $3.
What are the 25 most valuable nickels?
The most valuable nickels are those that were minted between 1866 and 1883, during the days of the civil war. While there were several different types of nickels minted during this period, these are the 25 most valuable:
1. 1867 Rays Nickel – up to $14,000
2. 1866 No Rays Nickel – up to $10,000
3. 1870 No “CENTS” Nickel – up to $8,500
4. 1883 No Cents Liberty Head Nickel – up to $7,500
5. 1885 Liberty Head Nickel – up to $3,650
6. 1883 Liberty Head Nickel – up to $3,000
7. 1881 Shield Nickel – up to $2,200
8. 1879 Shield Nickel – up to $1,750
9. 1877 Shield Nickel – up to $1,500
10. 1883 Liberty Head with CENTS (Small Date) – up to $1,400
11. 1872 Shield Nickel – up to $1,250
12. 1869 Shield Nickel – up to $1,200
13. 1878 Shield Nickel – up to $850
14. 1880 Shield Nickel – up to $800
15. 1868 Shield Nickel – up to $775
16. 1871 Shield Nickel – up to $750
17. 1873 Shield Nickel – up to $700
18. 1867 Shield Nickel – up to $650
19. 1874 Shield Nickel – up to $500
20. 1882 Shield Nickel – up to $475
21. 1876 Shield Nickel – up to $400
22. 1875 Shield Nickel – up to $350
23. 1883 Liberty Head with CENTS (Large Date) – up to $250
24. 1884 Liberty Head Nickel – up to $200
25. 1886 Liberty Head Nickel – up to $165
What makes a 1964 nickel rare?
A 1964 nickel is rare because of the limited mintage and its age. The coins were only produced in one mint in Philadelphia and were only produced for approximately 4 months. Due to their limited production and length of production, only a small amount of coins were produced and released into circulation.
Additionally, the age of the coin makes it even more rare, as only coins that were preserved or not lost over time still exist. Collectors and investors alike look for this coin due to its rarity, which makes it a valuable numismatic item.
What is the value of a 1977 nickel?
The value of a 1977 nickel depends on its condition, as is the case with any coin. A 1977 nickel in poor condition may be worth less than five cents while a 1977 nickel in uncirculated condition, which is free of any scratching, manhandling and discoloration, may be worth around fifty cents or more.
Additionally, a proof 1977 nickel, which is made specifically for collectors, may be worth up to $6. Because of the uniqueness of each coin and its condition, it is important to take it to a professional to get an accurate estimate of its worth.
Why is the 1964 D nickel valuable?
The 1964 D nickel is a valuable coin because they were the last of their kind. It was minted in 1964 and that was the last year that 90% pure silver coins were circulated in the United States. It tipped off a wave of searching and hoarding of coins from 1964 by people hoping to find valuable coins among their change.
This coin features a portrait Liberty looking to the right, with the word “LIBERTY” written on a band around her head. The reverse side features a large letter “D” to represent the coin having been minted at the Denver Mint.
Value of the 1964 D nickel depends on the condition of the coin. A circulated (but still in good condition) 1964 D nickel can command prices of several hundred dollars or more. Higher grades can bring prices well above $1,000.
For example, one 1964 D nickel that was graded an MS66 sold for nearly $7,000! Some 1964 D nickels have even sold for $50,000 or more in private auctions.
In addition to being the last year of circulate silver coins, part of the reason why 1964 D nickels are so coveted is due to their low mintage. In total, about 129 million of them were made, the lowest mintage for the Jefferson nickel series since its launch in 1938.
That low mintage means fewer of them still exist, increasing the price people will pay to acquire it.
How can you tell if a 1964 nickel is silver?
A 1964 nickel may be able to be identified as silver if you look at it closely and notice that the date is not clear. If the date is worn off, it is more likely to be made of silver. Silver coins are rare; they were only made for five years beginning in 1942, when the United States government needed the silver for World War II.
Silver coins have a light greyish color with a slightly darker highlight on their raised surface. Additionally, silver coins typically have sharp rims with full details on both sides. 1964 silver nickels produced by the U.
S. Mint weigh five grams each, so if the weight is significantly less, it may not be silver. Lastly, you can test the coin to determine its composition. Utilizing a magnet to test the 1964 nickel can help quickly identify if the coin is silver or not; if it is not magnetic, then it is likely silver.
Due to its silver content, a 1964 nickel is worth more than that of other nickels, so if you believe you have one, it is best to get it authenticated.
Why is a 1964 nickel worth so much?
The 1964 nickel is worth so much due to its rarity. The 1964 nickel is the only coin from the U. S. Mint that year that contains no silver content. The Treasury Department removed all silver from circulation that year, so only a small number of these coins were produced.
Additionally, most of the coins released that year were heavily circulated, causing the few uncirculated coins to become highly sought after. This has resulted in a greater demand for the 1964 nickel and has ultimately made them significantly more valuable than other coins from the same era.
What’s the rarest quarter?
The rarest quarter is the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, which is sometimes referred to as the “Buffalo Nickel”. This nickel was struck for circulation in 1913, but only five specimens are known to exist.
The coins were struck in Philadelphia and San Francisco, however, all five specimens were actually struck in Philadelphia. This made the coin highly sought after by collectors and drove up its market price significantly.
The five coins have sold for as much as $3. 7 million, making it one of the most valuable coins in the world. Interestingly, these coins were not actually intended for circulation, and their existence is believed to be the result of the Mint responding to an increase in the demand for nickels caused by the popularity of trading cards at the time.
In any case, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the rarest coins in the world and a prized possession among collectors.
