Valuable Nickels
Take a closer look before you dump that handful of pennies and nickels into the tip jar — you don't need to find a Revolutionary War-era coin to make a fortune from your change.
Coin Collecting Guide For Beginners is dedicated to helping the beginner learn all about the fun, fascinating and rewarding hobby of collecting coins. If you are looking for information about collecting coins, you have come to the right place. Most people think that collecting coins is only for the rich, but believe me, you will find collectors from all genders, nationalities, ages. The 1913 Liberty Nickel is considered to be one of the most valuable coins in the world. In 1913, the Indian head design for nickels was introduced. However, a master die was created for the 1913 Liberty Nickel, and a five-coin test run was struck. Our most valuable nickels list includes coins starting in 1866 up to the present (2021) - including rare nickel errors and rare varieties that could still actually be found in pocket change. This list and the prices are current as of 2021. Estimated coin prices and values in our database are updated twice per year. Value: $105,750. Grade: PCGS MS-66+ Sold: November 2016; Stack's/Bowers, November 2016 Baltimore Coin Auction. The 1924-S Buffalo nickel is by no means a rare coin in circulated condition. With a mintage of 1,437,000 coins, many of them have survived and are available to collectors today. The intrinsic value of a silver nickel jumps to $1.13. Of course, as with all coins, uncirculated and proof examples are worth more. The same is true of special pieces containing varieties. And, in the case of Jefferson silver nickels, there is additional value for pieces that contain Full Steps detail at the base of Monticello on the reverse.
They're harder to find each year, but there are several valuable coins floating around that aren't all that old. They're often valuable for vastly different reasons — like the World War II-era coins minted from atypical metals, or double-printed pennies — but each one is easy to miss if you're not paying attention.
See also: Californian Couple Finds $10 Million Worth of Gold Coins in Tin Can
Check out these eight coins that are worth a lot more than their intended value.
Valuable Nickels 2005
1. 2004 Wisconsin state quarter with extra leaf
Value: Up to $300
Find an average Wisconsin state quarter from 2004, and that will get you one-fourth of a bag of chips. Find one with either the high or low leaf error, and you can get a whole lot more.
The 50 State Quarters series ran from 1999 until 2008, with special designs representing each state. Wisconsin's quarter came out in 2004; the reverse design features a cow, a wheel of cheese and a partially husked ear of corn lurking in the back.
However, some the coins have an extra line below the front left leaf, which looks like another leaf entirely. There are two varieties you should be looking out for: the high leaf and low leaf.
2. 1995 double die penny
Valuable Nickels 1941
Value: $20 - $50
This penny has a double-printed obverse (heads side) that makes the 'LIBERTY' and 'IN GOD WE TRUST' look blurry. The error has happened before, in 1969 and 1972, and those versions of the coins are much more valuable.
3. 1942-1945 silver nickel
Value: 56 cents - $12.25
During World War II, the United States needed to save as much nickel as possible for military uses. Consequently, it started minting nickels made of 35% silver. Melting down pennies and nickels is a federal offense, but the coin might still fetch you enough for a decent lunch, if it's in good condition.
4. 1943 steel penny
Value: 45 cents - $10
Pennies were made from steel during wartime, for the same reasons nickels were made partially from silver — steel pennies helped preserve copper for World War II. However, the switch only lasted one year.
5. Ben Franklin half-dollar
Value: $12 - $125
In 1948, the U.S. mint began circulating half-dollar coins with images of Ben Franklin and an eagle — which is funny, considering Franklin opposed the bald eagle's nomination as the nation's bird, in favor of a wild turkey.
Franklin's portrait on the coin was replaced by John F. Kennedy in 1964, following the president's 1963 assassination.
6. 1932-1964 silver quarter
Value: $7 - $65
Between 1932 and 1964, quarters were 90% silver and 10% copper. These silver quarters look like any pre-state quarter 25-cent piece, but are worth a lot more if they're in the right condition.
7. 'In God We Rust' 2005 Kansas state quarter
Value: Up to $100
What Jefferson Nickels Are Valuable
While it might seem like a mint employee's rogue political statement, these coins are actually just the result of grease preventing a clean pressing.
8. Presidential dollar coin with lettering errors
Value: $20 - $45
In 2007, the U.S. Mint began printing a series of dollar coins featuring presidents. Many of the early coins, especially those with George Washington, have errant or missing lettering along the edge of the coin.