Top 5 Most Valuable U.S. Nickels
1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
This is widely considered one of the most famous and coveted rarities in American numismatics.
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Why it’s valuable: Only five specimens are known to exist, and they were produced without official authorization by the U.S. Mint.
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Value: Each of the five known coins is worth millions.
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Auction Record: A specimen graded PR66 sold for $4.56 million in 2018. Another specimen sold for $5 million in 2007.
2. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel Overdate
This classic overdate error is highly prized by collectors for its clear visual mistake.
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Why it’s valuable: It occurred when a 1918 date was stamped over a 1917 die at the Denver Mint.
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Value: Circulated examples can be worth hundreds of dollars, while high-grade versions are worth several thousand.
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Auction Record: A top-tier example sold for $350,750.
3. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel
This coin is a “key date” due to its extremely low production numbers.
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Why it’s valuable: It has a mintage of fewer than one million coins, making it the rarest non-error Buffalo nickel.
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Value: Well-preserved specimens in high grades can exceed $4,000.
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Auction Record: A pristine example fetched $322,000 at auction.
4. 1937-D “Three-Legged” Buffalo Nickel
One of the most famous error coins in history, this variety is easily spotted with the naked eye.
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Why it’s valuable: A mint worker over-polished a die, accidentally removing one of the buffalo’s front legs.
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Value: High-grade specimens can be worth nearly $100,000.
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Auction Record: The highest recorded auction price is $99,875.
5. 1942 “Frith” Jefferson Proof Nickel
This rare wartime specimen represents a unique moment in U.S. history.
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Why it’s valuable: Struck during World War II when nickel was needed for the war effort, this coin features a unique 35% silver composition and exceptional proof quality.
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Value: It is the record-holder for the most valuable wartime Jefferson nickel.
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Auction Record: A single specimen sold privately for $175,000.
Summary Table: Notable Nickel Values
| Nickel Variety | Rarity/Error Type | Record Price |
| 1913 Liberty Head | Unauthorized strike (5 known) | $4.56 Million |
| 1918/7-D Buffalo | Overdate error | $350,750 |
| 1926-S Buffalo | Low mintage key date | $322,000 |
| 1942 Frith Jefferson | Wartime silver proof | $175,000 |
| 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo | Die polishing error | $99,875 |
| 1939 Doubled Monticello | Doubled Die Reverse | $23,500 |
How to Spot a Rare Nickel in Your Change
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Check the Date and Mint Mark: Look for “D” (Denver) or “S” (San Francisco) marks. Early S-mint nickels like the 1912-S or 1926-S are often valuable.
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Inspect for Doubling: Use a 10x magnifying loupe to look for “shadow” lettering on the words “FIVE CENTS” or “MONTICELLO” (common in the 1939 and 1945-P varieties).
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The “Three Legs” Test: Check any 1937-D Buffalo nickel; if the buffalo’s front right leg is missing, you have a major rarity.
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Wartime Silver: Nickels from 1942 to 1945 that have a large mint mark (P, D, or S) above the building on the reverse are 35% silver.
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Preservation is Key: Never clean a rare coin, as it can drastically reduce its value.
Would you like me to help you identify the mint mark on your old nickels to see if they might be one of these rare dates?
