The oldest nickel ever made is the Shield nickel, which first appeared in the United States in 1866. Prior to the Shield nickel, nickels issued by the U. S. Mint since 1793 were the half dime, which was a silver coin.
Shield nickels feature Lady Liberty facing left on the obverse and a large numeral “5” surrounded by a wreath on the reverse. In 1883, the design was replaced with the Liberty Head nickel, which was struck until 1913.
The Buffalo nickel was then issued from 1913 to 1938. The last nickel produced with Liberty on it was the War Nickel of 1942–1945, which featured a larger and more detailed head of Liberty facing right.
Table of Contents
Why is a 1964 nickel worth so much?
A 1964 nickel is often worth much more than its face value of 5 cents. This is because it is a rare coin due to a peculiar quirk in the US Mint’s production of coins that year. In 1964, the US Mint switched from 90% silver coins to a composition of copper and nickel, a change that meant all coins minted that year had a different texture and color than before.
Additionally, the US Mint sharply reduced coin production in 1964 due to high manufacturing costs and the rising price of silver, meaning there was an even smaller number of coins minted that year. This scarcity of coins, combined with the historical significance of the transition from 90% silver coins to new materials, means that the 1964 nickel is one of the most collectible coins around.
As a result, it can often sell for much more than its face value – sometimes over $200 – depending on its condition.
How can you tell if a 1964 nickel is rare?
In order to determine if a 1964 nickel is rare, you would need to assess its condition and mint mark. 1964 was the only year that the United States produced nickels with a mint mark, with nickels produced in Philadelphia using a “P” mark, those produced in Denver using a “D” mark, and those made in San Francisco using an “S” mark.
These coins are all more valuable than coins without a mint mark. The condition of the coin is also important, with coins in higher grades being more rare and valuable. You may choose to take your coin to a coin dealer in order to have it assessed or you may use a reputable coin price guide to evaluate its worth.
What makes a 1964 nickel special?
The 1964 nickel is a coveted collector item due to its rarity and sentimental value. The United States Mint stopped producing the five-cent piece with a 90% silver content the previous year, meaning that the 1964 nickel is the last year for that type of nickel.
The 1964 nickel is made up of copper and nickel, with a copper content of 75%. Because of its copper content and the Silver Suspension Act of 1963, which began the switch into making cupronickel coins, the 1964 nickel is unique and valuable to collector.
In addition to being the last silver nickel in circulation, 1964 also marked the mint’s 50th anniversary, with the back of the coin bearing a special design of the Philadelphia Mint’s original building that was located in Independence Hall.
It also featured a shield on the back of the coin, which was meant to represent an American pride and values.
The 1964 nickel is a significant coin in American history, and some pieces can be particularly valuable to collectors. Although its face value is only five cents, many people are willing to pay much more for the coin to add it to their collection.
Is a 1964 nickel pure silver?
No, a 1964 nickel is not pure silver. The 1964 US nickel was issued in both proof and standard circulating versions, however neither was made with pure silver. The US Mint began using a copper-nickel composition for the nickel in 1965, which is still the composition of nickels today.
The 1964 nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The nickel also includes a small amount of manganese, which is added to help resist scratching and wear of the coin.
Should I keep 1964 nickels?
Yes, you should keep 1964 nickels, as they are highly sought-after coins by collectors. The 1964 Jefferson Nickel is the last year of the “Silver” variety, as the composition changed from 35% silver to a 91.
7% copper-8. 3% nickel alloy after this date. This makes it a valuable coin for collectors, and depending on the condition of your 1964 nickel, it may be worth more than face value.
Additionally, the 1964 nickel brought an end to the Jefferson Nickel design that had been used since 1938. This piece of history adds an extra element of interest to the coin making it an attractive choice to collect.
However, it should be noted that the value of your 1964 nickel will depend on its condition. In general, coins that have no signs of wear and have no scratches, dents, or fading are classified as being in mint condition.
Coins in mint condition will tend to be worth more than ones with signs of wear, so it is important to look out for these features when deciding on purchasing or holding onto your 1964 nickel.
All in all, you should keep your 1964 nickel as it is a valuable collectible, and depending on its condition, it may be worth more than face value.
What nickels should I keep?
Generally, you should keep any nickel that is in good condition, as many nickels, especially those that are more than 30 years old, may be worth significantly more than their face value. However, there are some nickels with special features that you should look for in particular.
The first type of nickel that you might come across is a Liberty Head Nickel from 1883-1912. These nickels were made of copper and nickel, and were the first nickels to depict Lady Liberty on the face.
Any Liberty Head Nickel in good condition is worth keeping as they can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Another type of nickel you should look for is the Buffalo Nickel. These nickels were made between 1913 and 1938 and can be worth even more than the Liberty Head Nickel. Any Buffalo Nickel in good condition should be kept, especially if any one of the four corner feathers are missing.
The last type of special nickel to keep an eye out for is the Jefferson War Nickel from 1942-1945. During World War II, the U. S. changed the composition of the nickel from copper/nickel to just copper as a war-saving measure.
These war nickels can be worth twice their face value or more. Finally, any uncirculated nickel should also be worth keeping. The uncirculated coins will usually have no wear, and can be more valuable than circulated coins.
What does SMS mean for 1964 nickel?
SMS stands for Special Mint Set. The 1964 nickel was part of what was known as the “SMS” or Special Mint Set of coins issued by the United States Mint. These coins issued for circulation in 1964, were produced in limited quantities at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints: the coins were placed in plastic cases and never released into circulation.
The coins from this set all have what is known a “proof-like” finish: the fields are deeply mirrored and the devices are very frosted. This gives the coins a very attractive, almost cameo appearance when compared to nickels from circulation.
The 1964 SMS set is considered quite rare and valuable today and the 1964 nickel within it is an especially desirable and highly sought-after example.
How do I know if my 1964 nickel is a SMS?
In order to determine whether or not your 1964 nickel is a SMS (Special Mint Set) coin, you will need to carefully examine the coin. The obverse of the SMS nickel will have a finer, softer luster compared to a standard business strike, and can oftentimes have a slightly prooflike or cameo appearance.
The edges of an SMS nickel should have raised, rounded reeds rather than the plain, flat edges indicative of a business strike. If you hold the coin to a light source, you should be able to observe a light halo around some of the letters on the coin due to the various thicknesses of the planchet.
The reverse of the coin (the side with the design of the Lincoln Memorial) should display strong eye appeal, which is a result of the multiple strikings of the dies used in the minting process. Additionally, if you can flip the coin over and examine the small initials of the engraver (FS) located on the large rock to the right of the Memorial, they should be highly prominent as they have been slightly embossed into the planchet.
Finally, an important point to remember is that SMS coins are not full steps. This means that the outlines around the steps in the Lincoln Memorial will not be fully separated. Once you have examined your coin and determined that it matches the characteristics of an SMS, it can be determined that the coin is indeed an SMS.
Where is the D mint mark on a 1964 nickel?
The D mint mark is located on the reverse side of the 1964 nickel, just below the Monticello building. It is positioned to the right of the year, which is directly below the building, and can be seen by tilting the coin slightly to the right.
The D mint mark denotes that the coin was minted at the US Mint’s branch in Denver, Colorado.
What nickel is worth millions?
Nickel is a silvery-white metal that is valued for its resistance to corrosion and for its utility in alloys. However, there are some specific examples of nickel that are worth millions of dollars. For example, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel is a rare, five-cent coin from the United States that is worth millions.
Only five such coins are known to exist in the world, making them exceedingly rare and highly sought after. Another rare nickel is the 1937-D three-legged buffalo nickel, which is estimated to be worth around $3 million.
This nickel is rare because it was made with several errors during its production, including an extra leg on the buffalo’s right side. There are also a handful of other rare nickels, such as the 1883 Liberty Head nickel and 1866 shield nickel, which can be worth significant amounts of money.
All in all, some specific types of nickels can be worth millions of dollars due to their rarity and condition.
Are all nickels before 1965 silver?
No, not all nickels before 1965 are silver. Before 1965, nickels circulated between the United States and Canada were composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel with a reeded edge. In 1902 and 1906, United States issued coins with an alloy of 55% copper, 35% silver and 10% nickel, commonly known as ‘Nickel Silver’.
Although these coins were circulated in both the US and Canada, they were predominantly used by the US Mint. In October of 1912 to reduce the overall cost of producing coins, the United States Mint made a permanent change to the composition of the five-cent coin (nickel) to an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
This composition remains in effect today.
What years of nickels are worth saving?
Nickels from all years can be worth saving, as some can be quite valuable depending on their condition and mintage. Generally, though, the most valuable nickels are those released before the mid-1960s.
Nickels from 1942 to 1945, for example, are generally worth more than face value because of silver content, while Buffalo nickels from 1913 to 1938 are also valuable because of their low mintage numbers.
Other types of U. S. nickels that can be worth saving include Liberty Head nickels (1883-1913), Shield nickels (1866-1883), and War Nickels (1942-1945). Nickels from the 20th century can also be worth saving if they have errors or imperfections, or if they bear an imprint from a minting facility.
Is a 1981 nickel worth anything?
A 1981 nickel is worth five cents at face value, but if it is in really good condition and considered a rare date, it could be worth more. If you believe that your 1981 nickel may be valuable, you should have it graded and authenticated by an expert.
Uncirculated 1981 nickels with full steps on the steps of Monticello can be worth over $30 each. Collectors may also be interested in proof 1981 nickels, which can be worth several times the value of standard uncirculated nickels.
What is the error on a wartime 1943 P nickel?
The most common error on a wartime 1943 P nickel is a reverse side that has been struck with the reverse side die of a 1942-P nickel, leaving the “P” mint mark off the coin. This is referred to as a “Pless” or a “no P” nickel.
Other errors can include weakly struck areas, doubled strikes, or off-center strikes. Some of these errors can be valuable if they are in very good condition.
