You might think that your loose change is just that: loose change. But, believe it or not, some nickels might be worth more than meets the eye. Coin collecting is an exciting hobby and can also turn out to be an impressive investment. A rare nickel can fetch more than a hundred, a thousand, or even a hundred thousand dollars! This blog post will guide you through 15 nickels that are worth more than you might ever suspect. Let’s dive in!
1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
This nickel is one of the most valuable coins in the world. Only five were ever made, and all of them are accounted for. If you happen to stumble upon one, it could be worth millions. The last one that sold at auction went for a whopping $4.5 million in 2018.
Even if you don’t find one of these ultra-rare coins, keep an eye out for other Liberty Head nickels. They were made from 1883 to 1912 and can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred depending on their condition.
2. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel
Here’s another nickel that could be hiding in your change jar. The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse nickel is one of the most famous error coins. The image on the front of the coin appears doubled because of a mistake in the minting process.
These nickels can be worth anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Just make sure to look closely, as the doubling is not always easy to spot.
3. 1942-1945 Silver War Nickels
During World War II, the U.S. made nickels out of 35% silver to conserve nickel for the war effort. These coins can be identified by a large mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse side.
Even in average condition, these nickels are worth more than face value because of their silver content. In top grades, they can be worth more than $50.
4. 1950-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1950-D Jefferson Nickel is the key date in the Jefferson series. It has the lowest mintage of any Jefferson nickel and can be worth up to $200 in mint condition.
Even worn examples are worth more than a dollar. So, be sure to check your change carefully!
5. 2004-2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series
In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. mint issued a series of nickels to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition. These coins feature unique designs that are different from the standard Jefferson nickel.
While most of these nickels are only worth face value, some special mint sets can be worth a few dollars. Plus, they’re a fun piece of history to collect.
6. 2005-D Bison Nickel
This nickel is one of the Westward Journey series and features a bison on the reverse side. Some of these coins have a die error that makes it look like the bison has extra legs.
Nickels with this error can be worth anywhere from $50 to $100. So, keep an eye out for any four-legged friends in your spare change!
7. 2006-D Return to Monticello Nickel
The 2006-D Return to Monticello nickel is another coin to look out for. Some of these nickels have a die error that makes it look like Jefferson has a detached nose.
Nickels with this error can be worth anywhere from $20 to $50. So, don’t turn your nose up at these coins!
8. 1994-P Special Mint Set Nickel
In 1994, the U.S. mint issued a special mint set that included a nickel with a matte finish. These coins were only available in the special mint set and can be worth up to $30.
Even if you don’t have the complete set, the nickel alone can still be worth more than face value.
9. 2009-D Jefferson Nickel
The 2009-D Jefferson Nickel is notable for its low mintage. Because of the economic downturn, the U.S. mint produced fewer nickels that year.
While these nickels are only worth a small premium over face value, they can still be a fun find in your change.
10. 1885 Liberty Head Nickel
The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel is another key date in the Liberty series. This nickel has a low mintage and can be worth up to $1000 in mint condition.
Even worn examples are worth more than $100. So, don’t pass up any old-looking nickels!
11. 1939-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1939-D Jefferson Nickel is another key date in the Jefferson series. This nickel has a low mintage and can be worth up to $50 in mint condition.
Even worn examples are worth more than a dollar. So, don’t forget to check your change!
12. 2004 Keelboat Nickel
This nickel is part of the Westward Journey series and features a keelboat on the reverse side. Some of these nickels have a die error that makes it look like there are extra waves in the water.
Nickels with this error can be worth up to $50. So, keep an eye out for any nautical nickels!
13. 1971-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1971-D Jefferson Nickel is worth looking out for because of a possible error. Some of these nickels were struck on 40% silver planchets intended for half dollars.
Nickels with this error can be worth up to $1000. So, don’t ignore any shiny nickels!
14. 1943-P Silver War Nickel
The 1943-P Silver War Nickel is notable for a possible error. Some of these nickels have a doubled die on the reverse side that makes it look like there are extra columns on Monticello.
Nickels with this error can be worth up to $500. So, keep an eye out for any architectural anomalies!
15. 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel
This is one of the most famous error coins. The 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel gets its name from a mistake in the minting process that makes it look like the buffalo only has three legs.
Even in average condition, these nickels can be worth hundreds of dollars. In top grades, they can be worth thousands. So, don’t pass up any buffalo nickels!