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The U.S. nickel values and price tables listed below have coin values and prices based on how much you can expect a dealer to pay for your nickels if you want to sell them today. Therefore, when you determine the worth of your nickels (or any other coins), remember the difference between price and value. Also, keep in mind the value can go up and down based on the nickel’s year, if it’s been circulated or is in mint condition, mint marks, and special features (sometimes defects) from that minting.
| Nickel Type | Years | Value |
| Later Jefferson | 1965 to present | Face value to $120 |
| Early Jefferson | 1938 to 1964 | Face value to $300 |
| Buffalo (Indian head) | 1913 to 1938 | Face value to $125,000 |
| Liberty head or V | 1900 to 1913 | $2.50 to $3,400 |
| Shield | 1866 to 1883 | $16 to $9,900 |
Nothing is worse than counting on your collection being worth a certain amount of money and then getting a rude awakening when you sell it, all because you consulted the wrong type of coin value guide when you made your appraisal.
Jefferson Nickels
Jefferson nickels’ values are so low that they represent an excellent investment opportunity in the highest grades. Additionally, they’re are one of the best coin types for new collectors because you can almost complete the entire Jefferson Nickel series right from circulating coinage! This beginner’s collection won’t become a significant investment, but it’s fun to assemble.
The only Jefferson nickels you won’t usually find in pocket change are the silver wartime issues from 1942 to 1945. If you’re looking for investment-quality coins, consider purchasing high-grade versions of these encapsulated by third-party certification companies. If you know a young person who might enjoy coin collecting, why not help them begin their coin-collecting journey with Jefferson nickels?
- Later Date Jefferson Nickel Starting 1965 Values and Prices
- Early Jefferson Nickel 1938 – 1964 Values and Prices
Buffalo Nickels
Buffalo nickels are popular, but they’re somewhat undervalued. These coins’ values are disproportionate to their mintage figures in many ways; in other words, just because fewer Buffalo nickels were made one year, it doesn’t necessarily mean the year’s nickels are more valuable than those of different years.
Low-end Buffaloes may be valued too high, but the highest-grade Buffaloes could be a good investment. Unless you’re an expert grader, purchase nickels that have already been encapsulated and graded by third-party certification companies.
Liberty Head or V Nickels
Liberty Head or V-Nickel values are slightly more in line with what you’d expect for coins of that period, but expert numismatists believe they’re undervalued. They also think that there are many errors and die varieties still to be found in this series since other coin types from this period exhibit many exciting varieties.
The most expensive nickel ever sold was a Liberty Head nickel. This most-valuable nickel is also surrounded by great mystery and deception. Couple this with the history of this coin series, and you have everything that makes collecting these nickels worthwhile.
Shield Nickels
The Shield nickel is an exciting type, with no portrait and a big “5” surrounded by stars on the reverse. However, most of these coins start at $20, at the least, for very worn-out (G-4) specimens. So, they’re too expensive for most beginning coin collectors. But, you may want to purchase a type coin for your collection. This classic, unique design will certainly enhance any type collection of United States coins.
However, intermediate and advanced collectors may find this United States coin series challenging and interesting. The United States Mint produced all Shield nickels at the Philadelphia facility. Therefore, a date set would only consist of 16 coins. In addition, it would cost approximately $2,000 to assemble a complete set of circulated coins in the average circulated condition. Therefore, finding the 1883 “2 over 3” variety may be challenging but doable.
The Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels of All Time
Nickels were first minted in the United States in 1866. At that time, most coins were made out of silver or gold. The United States made lower denomination coins out of pure copper. Although the nickel is silver in color, it has no silver in it. As a result, nickels lack the glitter of silver and gold and are not popular amongst coin collectors. However, there are some expensive nickels that every coin collector would love to own. Here are the top 10 most valuable nickels:
- 1913 Liberty Nickel – The Olsen Specimen: $3,737,500
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel – Doubled Die Obverse: $350,750
- 1926-S Buffalo Nickel: $322,000
- 1916 Buffalo Nickel – Doubled Die Obverse: $281,750
- 1913-D Buffalo Nickel – Type 2: $143,750
- 1917-S Buffalo Nickel: $138,000
- 1920-D Buffalo Nickel: $138,000
- 1867 Shield Nickel – Proof with Rays: $132,250
- 1918-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350
- 1927-S Buffalo Nickel: $125,350
