Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels

A nickel used to be enough to buy an ice cream cone on a sweltering summer day or a bag of chocolates from the corner store. These days are long gone, of course, but some of these once-common nickels may now buy the luxury boat of your dreams or a lavish Manhattan condominium.

Here ten nickels have sold for much more than five cents. If you want to find out whether you have one of these Most valuable nickels in your piggy bank, look closely at the pictures and information below.

Lists of 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

1936-D Buffalo Nickel, 3 ½ Legs, MS63
1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel
1954-S Jefferson Nickel, MS67 Full Step
1938 D Jefferson Nickel, MS68+ Full Step
1937-D Buffalo Nickel, 3 Legs, MS66
1916 Buffalo Nickel, Double Die Obverse, MS63
1880 Shield Nickel, MS66
1926-S Buffalo Nickel
1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, MS65
1913 Liberty Head Nickel, Proof, PR66

1. 1936-D Buffalo Nickel, 3 ½ Legs, MS63

The 1936-D Buffalo Nickel, known as the “3 ½ Legs” variety, is highly sought after by collectors. This rare variant was created when the die used to strike the coin was over-polished, causing part of the buffalo’s front foreleg to disappear. Only about 300 of these coins are known to exist, making them valuable in any condition.

Even coins graded as low as 4 can fetch $500 today, according to the PCGS. The grading scale ranges from 1 to 70, with 70 being perfect. The highest auction record for this coin was set in 2009, when an MS63 example (meaning uncirculated) sold for $20,700. Only two coins of this grade exist, and none finer. Today, the PCGS values this coin at $30,000.

2. 1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel

No Buffalo nickels were minted in San Francisco in 1938, but a rare variant from that year features an “S” mintmark under the “D.” Some Denver coins were struck using repunched San Francisco dies, creating the “D over S” (D/S) variety.

While most of these coins hold little extra value, those with a “strong” overpunching are highly prized. In 2004, a coin with a clearly visible “S” behind the “D” set an auction record. Graded MS68* by the NGC, it was the finest known example. It sold for $25,300 and is now valued by the PCGS at $30,000.

3. 1954-S Jefferson Nickel, MS67 Full Step

Jefferson nickels, minted since 1938, feature a portrait of President Thomas Jefferson on the obverse. Among them, the 1954-S nickel is highly valuable, especially in “Full Step” condition.

The San Francisco mint produced only 29 million nickels that year, far fewer than Denver or Philadelphia. Even rarer are the coins with the “Full Step” designation, meaning all the steps on Monticello, shown on the reverse, are fully visible. Most coins from 1954 were not fully struck, making “Full Step” versions exceptionally scarce.

Only 25 1954-S nickels have received this designation, making them extremely valuable to collectors in any condition.

4. 1938 D Jefferson Nickel, MS68+ Full Step

The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel, the first year of the series, faced challenges with achieving a full strike, especially on the steps of Monticello. The hub for the dies wasn’t re-cut until 1940, making early “Full Step” nickels rare.

Over 5 million nickels were minted in Denver that year, and they’re highly prized by collectors. Coins graded MS66 with the “Full Step” designation are scarce, and at MS68, only eight exist.

The finest example, graded MS68+ by PCGS, is one of a kind. It sold in July 2022 for $33,600, showcasing its extraordinary value to collectors.

5. 1937-D Buffalo Nickel, 3 Legs, MS66

Which almost completely removed the buffalo’s front foreleg. About 1,000 of these coins are believed to exist, making them rare and valuable.

Coins graded 3 start at $350, while those in mint state are much pricier. An MS60 coin is valued at $2,950 by the PCGS. The auction record was set in 2021 by an MS66+ example, one of just five at that grade, selling for nearly $100,000.

The finest known coin, graded MS67, last sold in 2016 for $85,000. Today, the PCGS estimates its value at $150,000, highlighting its exceptional rarity.

6. 1916 Buffalo Nickel, Double Die Obverse, MS63

In 1916, some Buffalo nickels struck in Philadelphia featured a rare error called the double die obverse. This occurred when the die was struck twice, but misaligned, creating a clear doubled image on the coin. Surprisingly, this error wasn’t recognized until over 40 years later.

Today, it’s highly collectible. Even a coin in poor condition (graded 3) is valued at $2,700 by PCGS. Coins graded 15 and higher fetch five figures, while mint state examples start at $55,000.

The highest-graded coin sold at auction, an MS63, fetched $138,000 in 2022. Despite setting an auction record, the sale fell short of its PCGS valuation, which stands at $175,000 today.

7. 1880 Shield Nickel, MS66

The 1880 Shield Nickel is a key date in the series, with the lowest mintage for circulation at just 19,995 coins, all struck in Philadelphia. Even in poor condition, these coins are worth around $2,000.

Proof versions are less rare than circulation coins, but poorly struck proofs are sometimes misrepresented as business strikes. To avoid costly mistakes, always ensure the coin is authenticated by independent graders like PCGS or NGC.

The finest known business strikes are two coins graded MS66 by PCGS. One of them sold on eBay in March 2023 for $198,995, far surpassing its estimated value of $125,000.

8. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel

The 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the Buffalo Nickel series. With only 970,000 minted, it holds the distinction of having the lowest mintage among all Buffalo nickels. The San Francisco mint’s limited production of this coin means that very few examples were saved in uncirculated condition.

This specific 1926-S nickel, graded NGC MS-66, stands out for its remarkable quality, which significantly increases its value. At a 2008 Heritage Auction, it was sold for an astounding $322,000, demonstrating the high demand among collectors for rare and well-preserved coins. The combination of rarity, high-grade condition, and collector interest makes the 1926-S Buffalo Nickel an extraordinary piece in numismatic history.

9. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, MS65

The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel is a famous over-date error, with the “7” visible beneath the “8.” Discovered in 1930, it quickly became one of the most collectible Buffalo nickels.

While over 8 million nickels were struck in Denver in 1918, only about 7,000 have this error. Even low-grade examples are valuable, with PCGS valuing a grade 2 at $650. Coins graded 6 and above command four figures.

A gem-quality MS65 example sold for $350,750 in 2006, setting an auction record. However, four coins graded MS65+ by PCGS exist and are estimated to be worth $450,000 each.

10. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, Proof, PR66

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is the rarest and most valuable nickel, with only five known to exist, all as unauthorized proofs. In 1913, the Mint transitioned to Buffalo nickels, so no Liberty Head nickels should have been struck that year.

Coin collector Samuel Brown first displayed all five coins in 1920, claiming he acquired them through an advertisement. However, some believe Brown, a former Mint employee, may have created or smuggled the coins himself.

Two are in museums, while three are privately owned, graded PR46, PR63, and PR66. The finest, the PR66 Eliasberg specimen, sold in 2018 for $4.56 million, setting a record for any nickel. The PCGS now values it at $6.25 million.

Bottom Line:

Nickels were to be common, ordinary coins, but during time, some rare ones became of enormous value. Some nickels can now sell for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars due to limited production runs and printing errors. Collectors value these coins for their historical significance and rarity, whether they are 1913 Liberty Head Nickels or 1936-D “3 ½ Legs” Buffalo Nickels. One of these valuable nickels could be worth much more than five cents if you chance to have one in your collection or piggy bank.