Most valuable Jefferson nickels revealed - do you have a coin worth up to $5,200?
COIN fans might be surprised to learn that nickels featuring third President Thomas Jefferson could be quite valuable.
Today Americans might be familiar with coins featuring US Presidents.
This includes Abraham Lincoln on the penny, George Washington on the quarter, Franklin D Roosevelt on the dime, and of course Jefferson on the nickel.
Some of these coins could be worth hundreds or thousands depending on a few factors.
Normally the value of a coin is dictated by low mintage, an error, or another unique element.
Moreover, a coin in a high grade could drive up its value.
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But as always, a piece is only worth how much somebody is willing to pay for it.
Recently, a few Jefferson coins have sold for thousands online.
As we explain why below, keep that most of these coins are uncirculated, which are much tougher to find because they aren’t released for public circulation.
Uncirculated coins are graded between MS-60 and MS-70.
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1. 1945 Jefferson nickel - $922
One Jefferson nickel sold for $922 online recently.
The coin features an “S” on the reverse of the coin below the "E Pluribus Unum" text”.
The letter stands for its mintage location, which is San Francisco.
This was a nickel used during World War II, containing 35% of silver.
“These nickels are usually ugly and grimy but a great way to stock up on silver at near spot or under,” CoinTrackers wrote in a description of the coin.
Most importantly, the coin gets its value thanks to its grade.
According to the seller, the coin was certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) in an “MS 67” grade.
Meanwhile, if you happen to find one in average condition, the coin might only be worth $1.90, according to USA Coin Book.
2. 1940 Jefferson nickel – $1,314
For those unfamiliar with proof coins, these are considered to be even rarer than uncirculated pieces.
Like proof coins, they have never entered public circulation.
A 1940 Jefferson proof coin in late 2020 sold for more than $1,300 on eBay, which has been described by the seller as “5C REVERSE OF 1938.”
The seller claims the coin, which is graded in PF 67, has been certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) just 17 times.
3. 1949 Jefferson nickel – $1,557
Another Jefferson nickel in an uncirculated grade sold for more than $1,500 on eBay in December.
The nickel features the date 1949 with an “S” mintmark.
Moreover, the coin was certified in an MS 67 grade by NGC.
Meanwhile, another 1949 Jefferson S nickel in the same grade sold for more than $3,300 in an auction in the summer of 2021, according to Professional Coin Grading Service.
4. 1951 Jefferson nickel – $5,200
The most valuable coin on this list goes to the 1951 Jefferson nickel, which features an S mark in an uncirculated grade.
Compared with the other coins in the Jefferson series, the 1951 S nickel has one of the lower mintages.
The circulated series has just more than 7.7million pieces minted. For context, just a few Jefferson coins have a mintage of under 10million.
Additionally, the 1951 S coins are quite rare in higher grades.
“The 1951-S appears to be scarce in MS66 grade and higher,” PCGS’ Jamie Hernandez wrote.
“Less than 500 examples have been confirmed by PCGS in MS66 condition, with less than [a] handful known in MS67.”
One in a recent eBay listing in an MS 67 grade sold for $5,200.
Meanwhile, another in that same grade sold for a whopping $18,600 in an October 2018 auction.
For more on valuable coins, we break down the rarest dimes, quarters and half-dollars in circulation.
Read More on The US Sun
Read More on The US Sun
We recently explained the Henning Jefferson coin and why it’s worth more than $400.
Plus, we show you how to findrare coins including ones featuring Lincoln.
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