Could your old 1941 Jefferson Nickel be worth over $50,000? 
While most nickels from this year are worth only five cents, a few dramatic die break errors—also known as “cuds”—have made headlines with auction prices topping $58,000.
Here’s exactly what makes these nickels so valuable and how to spot one in your collection.
Why Some 1941 Nickels Are Worth a Fortune
During the early 1940s, U.S. Mint dies were pushed to their limits due to wartime production demands. Some cracked, broke, or even lost chunks of metal during striking—creating rare “cud” errors.
Quick Facts
- Coin Type: Jefferson Nickel
- Year: 1941 (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints)
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Rarity: Major cud errors appear in fewer than 1 in 10 million coins
- Record Price: $58,750 (1941-D Nickel with full reverse cud, PCGS MS-65)
Valuable 1941 Nickel Error Types
Not all die cracks are valuable—but these are:
Obverse cuds: Large breaks on Jefferson’s portrait, often near his chin or head.
Reverse cuds: Missing die sections over Monticello—huge blobs or voids on the rim.
Rim-to-rim die cracks: Lines stretching across the coin, sometimes forming “bridges.”
BIE errors: Tiny cracks forming between the letters B and E in LIBERTY.
1941 Jefferson Nickel Value Guide (2024 Estimates)
| Error Type | Circulated | Mint State (MS) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor die crack | $1 – $5 | $5 – $20 |
| Medium cud | $50 – $500 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Major cud | $2,500+ | $10,000 – $50,000+ |
Extreme full cuds or rim-to-rim breaks can reach $50,000+ in top PCGS or NGC grades.
How To Identify a $50,000+ 1941 Nickel Error
Follow this simple step-by-step checklist:
The $50K Cud Checklist
- Look for missing metal at the coin’s rim or edge.
- Notice raised, blobby areas where the die broke off.
- Confirm the date reads 1941 (a key year for these defects).
- Never clean the coin — even gentle polishing can destroy collector value.
Avoid These Worthless Varieties
Ordinary die cracks (thin lines with no metal loss)- Post-mint damage (scratches, dents, or corrosion)
- Weak strikes (not considered true errors)
What To Do If You Find One
If you suspect you’ve found a valuable error coin, act fast—but carefully:
- Stop touching it. Handle only by the edges using soft cotton gloves.
- Take clear photos under natural light (especially of the error area).
- Submit for authentication to PCGS or NGC under their Mint Error category.
- Insure your coin for at least $10,000 before shipping.
- Contact auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers for a professional sale.
Tip: Keep all documentation from certification—it adds significant resale credibility.
Real Discovery Stories
“I found my 1941 cud nickel in a coffee can—it paid for my daughter’s college!”
— Collector, 2022 sale: $42,000 (PCGS certified)
“Used mine as a washer for years before learning its value.”
— Collector, 2023 submission: $38,500 sale
Why Collectors Love the 1941 Nickel
Peak year for dramatic die failures
Fewer known than 1916-D Mercury Dimes
Each error is one-of-a-kind—no two cuds are identical
Still being discovered in old jars, rolls, and estate finds
