Many checks were returned to persons who ordered multiple sets. 1964 was the peak year of coin collecting as a popular mass hobby in America, and no one wanted to miss out on the imagined profits to be made. The 1964 proof nickel is very common, even in high grades. Jefferson Nickel Values 1938 to 1964 Condition of Coin; Date Good Fine Extremely Fine Mint State Jefferson Nickel Values Updated 2/1/2021 1938 $0.05 $0.05 $0.25 $5.33 1938 D $0.38 $0.71 $1.25 $4.70 1938 S $0.45 $0.95 $1.45 $5.28 1939 $0.05 $0.05 $0.25 $2.23 1939 D $1.31 $3.28 $6.17 $39 1939 S $0.31 $0.83 $3.25 $24 1940 $0.05.

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90

Minted 1913 to 1938; buffalo nickel value is found by determining date | mintmark | condition. A heavily worn coin with a readable date is worth well above face value. A very popular series with collectors, each coin is evaluated closely to identify its full potential. Follow the step by step process below and find where your coin is listed on the value chart.

Steps Leading to Value:

• Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination - Identify date and locate mintmarks to find listing on the value chart.
• Step 2: Grading Condition - Using Video, Images, and Descriptions judge the condition and determine grade.
• Step 3: Special Qualities - Varieties are important to collectors, compare your coin to images to recognize the important qualities to these old buffalo nickels.

The value table shows the importance of the key elements to identify.

The above are wholesale coin values. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling.

Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs.

Step 1: | Date and Mintmark Combination is Identified

Three different mints struck Buffalo nickels throughout the span of the series; 1913 to 1938. In most years all three mints produced nickels. The key is to identify both the date and mint of each coin. Mintmarks on the Denver and San Francisco issues identify the mint. Philadelphia did not place a mintmark on their production.

Collectors typically assemble sets of Buffalo nickels including each mint variety of each year. Availability and scarcity of a year and mintmark combination drives values above minimum base value.

'S' Mintmark on Reverse: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

Low mintage numbers of San Francisco Buffalo nickels place most dates as the scarce issue for the year. A total of 118 million were struck with all years combined, lowest of the mints. Many of the key and high value nickels are the San Francisco coins.

San Francisco mint placed a 'S' mintmark on the reverse just under Five Cents. A date with all numerals clearly showing plus the 'S' mintmark is a premium value nickel.

'D' Mintmark on Reverse: Denver Mint Struck the Coin

The Denver Mint in Colorado also contributed to the numbers of Buffalo nickels minted. Striking just over 225 million coins, Denver issues are another exciting find. Early year examples 1913 to 1926 are all high premium coins.

Denver placed a 'D' mintmark on the reverse to identify its production. A surprising premium coin is the last year of the Buffalo nickel 1938, all were minted at Denver. Last of series plus Denver only adds to this coin's popularity and demand from collectors.

No Mintmark on Reverse: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Leading in numbers of Buffalo nickels struck is the Philadelphia mint. Throughout the years the main mint placed over 900 million nickels into circulation. Most of the old nickels found today are the Philadelphia issue. Many collectors find these coins appealing. Affordable in higher condition, a date run is a popular collection, creating a steady demand for all Buffalo nickels.

Looking on the reverse, just under Five Cents; if without a mintmark, the coin was struck at Philadelphia. The Philadelphia mint did not place mintmarks on Buffalo nickels.

Step 2: | Grading Condition of Buffalo Nickels

Coin collecting remains a popular hobby today. A collection of Buffalo nickels presents an engaging pursuit for both young and advanced collectors. Your coins have the potential to add to a collection.

Condition Narrows Value Range

Judging condition directly links to how much your coin is worth. Rare dates and mintmark combinations are a start. Grading narrows into a close value range.

Using a single light source and magnification, first inspect for a clear date. The date area is high in relief on Buffalo nickels and quickly wears. A bold date showing places your coin in the upper grade ranges. Tilting the coin under the light at different angles helps find subtle details. Compare to the grading images, finding the grade closest to the condition of your coin.

Mint State Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A strong demand is found in old nickels meeting the Mint State grade standards. No wear to the surface is the defining factor. A few points on the coin are checked to confirm this top condition.

Just under the Indian's eye his cheek is one of the high points to design. Any wear shows as a color change to the metal and a smoothing of texture. Luster imparted during minting is a fine grain surface easily removed when worn. Judge the surface of the cheek to match surrounding areas.

View the hair along the parting line from his forehead to bow holding the feathers. High and low areas representing lines of hair remain without any smoothing. Expanding upward and below the part line all surfaces are similar in texture.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: High areas of the buffalo's fur are inspected to detect any wear.

Along the upper shoulder where the fur meets the back remains with a luster indicating a mint state coin.

In the hip area, any wear causes a flattening of the profile and smoothness to the metal.

Look close at the lower edge of the ground, just above 'Five Cents'. The ground surface and a defining lower line remains without flattening.

Extremely Fine Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A bold date, fully raised is a defining feature of the Extremely Fine grade.

All digits of the date are clear and well raised. Last digit of date is fully separated from the trailing end of the tie holding the braid of hair.

A small area of flatness is confined to just under the eye. A contour remains with no flat area connecting with the hair left of the eye.

Strands of hair remain bold throughout, blending with the feather is minimal.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Overall most of the fur details remain. Light wear has flattened only the upper areas of fur.

A distinct line remains separating the buffalo's back with the line of fur along the upper leg to the upper back.

Contour remains on the hip with a noticeable raise area defined. Flatness is limited to the forward area of leg.

The majority of the buffalo's horn is visible. On well struck examples the horn is complete with the tip well defined. Helping define the grade is areas of flatness are small and disconnected.

Fine Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Heavy wear has begun to create large areas of flatness to the surface, placing the coin in Fine grade.

First to judge is the date. Although worn to a shallow profile, all digits must show. Each number is complete. The 'one' is often very weak at the bottom, but is separate from the 'nine'.

The long feather at the back of the head is only just beginning to merge with the Indian's hair. A line of separation is evident but faint.

Letters of 'Liberty' are faint. The majority of the tops of the letters are very weak and beginning to touch the rim. A complete separation indicates a strong Fine grade.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Evidence of a horn remaining helps identify the Fine grade. The upper half of the horn is missing, however, a strong base to the horn is visible.

A defining line remains indicating the fur from the back of the buffalo.

Flattened areas of the head, shoulder, stomach, and hip are evident but no areas are connecting. A wide space remains identifying each design feature.

Good Grade: Buffalo Nickel

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A date is readable but very faint. Defining the grade is the first digits '19' are readable. The '19' are merging with each other but enough remains to identify. Last two digits of date are better defined. A small raised area of all digits is always visible.

Hair detail is missing throughout the center portion above the braid. Flatness extends upward to the part in the hair.

'Liberty' is readable but fully connected with the rim. Often upper part of letters are very faint to missing.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A once fully profiled buffalo is now flat.

The buffalo's head is missing the majority of his horn; a small base is sometimes seen. All fur detail to the head is one flat area.

A small connection of the buffalo's head to the rim is noted.

Only a slight definition of contour remains separating head, shoulder, stomach, and hip. Wide areas of flatness are now larger than contoured areas. Overall a buffalo nickel in Good grade remains with a bold outline of both the Indian and buffalo.

How to Video: Grading Buffalo Nickels

Today, dealers and collectors are searching to find, and have the funds to buy well preserved coins. Your buffalo nickel value increases dramatically the better condition of your coin. A step by step video highlights the elements to the grades.

Step 3: | Special Qualities Enhancing Value

The beginning of the Buffalo nickel series saw the year 1913 struck with two different reverse varieties.

First variety: 1913 Type I portrays the buffalo standing on a mounded surface. Lettering of 'Five Cents' is placed bold in the design across the mound. This raised lettering was determined unsatisfactory, quick to wear and loose the statement of denomination.

Second variety: 1913 to 1938 Type II A modification to the design recessed the lettering of 'Five Cents' within the mound below the buffalo. A distinct change protecting both the denomination and mintmark. This Type II reverse design continued until the end of the series in 1938. Both Type I and Type II nickels were minted at all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco and valued individually.

Designer's Initial

James Earle Fraser designed both the Indian obverse and Buffalo reverse. His initial 'F' is found under the date of all Buffalo nickels.

Below Collector Quality

Discoloration has taken over the 'look' of this nickel. Unfortunately, an abrasive was used to remove some of the color to brighten the surface. The resulting unnatural appearance has lowered value. A collector passes on these damaged coins. Damage to the surface and cleaning has removed collectability.

Detecting a Faded Date Buffalo Nickel

1964 Nickel Value Error

Buffalo nickels are a high relief design. Most elements sit well above the field of the coin, including the date. The shoulder of the Indian is raised and date is on top, placing it as one of the highest areas on the surface. Closest protection to the date is the rim below and knot in hair braid above. Many surviving nickels have partial dates. The '19' of the date often wears away first leaving just faint impressions of the last two digits.

Using a single, bright light and adjusting the angle of the coin to the light helps identify a faint digit or two. Magnification is almost a must to use. Many times, the decade digit is just visible, a difference in the '1' | '2' | '3' is recognizable. A faint year digit is usually the difficult one to see. Slowly tilt the angle to the light to bring out subtle detail. If identity of date is uncertain the coin is falling below the Good grade and value.

References

US Mint. 1938 US Mint Annual Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/514142
US Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591

Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Buffalo Nickel Value
1913 to 1938

Buffalo Nickels are very popular. The price of lower grade coins makes it easy for younger collectors to start and enjoy collecting the series.

They are attractive in their design and price, giving them a value boost. Return and keep pace with your rising buffalo nickel value.

A step by step method is used to discover old coin values. Beginning with identifying important dates and mintmarks. Next comparing your coin to images to judge and determine its condition and recognize its 'grade'. Value charts narrow how much coins are worth.

The index page helps identify the Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, Jefferson and Three Cent Nickels. Discover the value of your old nickels by matching your coins to the grading images and value charts.

Visit the in-depth Buffalo nickel grading video, combined with enlarged images and detailed descriptions describing the differences between grades. Dates and mintmarks are only part of old nickel value. Follow the steps to grading Buffalo nickels and it leads to how much your coins are worth… accurately.

Videos, close-up images and descriptions, give insight into the details to accurately grade the condition of your old nickels. Individual series covered: Shield, Liberty, Buffalo, and Jefferson nickels. Judge carefully to find the true potential value.

Do you have other denominations?

A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth.

Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results.

★Coin Values Discovery finds Buffalo Nickel Value and...

All old US coin values. Follow an image index to identify all US coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and a step by step procedure uncovers how much your box of old coins is worth.

Below is a list of the most valuable Jefferson nickels, presented in ascending order. Prices have been updated to reflect the current market.

Decades of experience from numismatic experts informed the research for this list. The images and explanations are a great way to learn more about modern coin collecting!

All values are for coins grading Mint State 65 (MS65). Higher grade examples and those with the Full Steps designation will exceed these prices.

15. 1942-P Proof (silver): $136 in MS65

The 35% silver 'War Nickel' proof issued in 1942 is worth twice as much as its non-silver counterpart from the same year.

14. 1954-S (S Over D): $150 in MS65

The 'S over D' variety of the 1954-S is another example of a mintmark error. You will typically find the bottom of a 'D' jutting out from below the 'S.'

Image: USA CoinBook

Back then, branch mints would simply stamp over an existing mintmark on a die when necessary. Circumstances such as a tight production schedule or a worn-out die might have forced a mint to do so.

13. 1939-P Proof (Reverse of 1940): $168 in MS65

1939 (Reverse of 1940) Jefferson nickel. Image: PCGS

The sharper reverse design used for these proof coins was introduced in the middle of 1939. It was unchanged until 2004.

12. 1955-D (D Over S): $228 in MS65

This is an example of an overpunched mintmark. As the rest of this list will reveal, it's not a particularly uncommon type of error.

In the photo above, you can see the faint shadow of an 'S' behind the outline of the 'D' mintmark. It is found on the right side of the reverse.

11. 1940-P Proof (Reverse of 1938): $254 in MS65

Because it was struck using the old reverse die of 1938, the proof 1940 Jefferson nickel shows less detail than later issues.

Despite being a proof coin, which generally exhibit higher quality strikes, these 1940 Jefferson nickel proofs show softer details due to using worn-out dies.

10. 1945-P (DDR): $286 in MS65

Like the spooky 'Doubled Eye' nickel, this is another doubled die error. It appears on the reverse design. (It's also the last year silver nickels were produced.)

Image: USA CoinBook

The most famous doubled die variety on a U.S. coin is the 1955 Lincoln cent.

9. 2005-D ('Speared Bison'): $325 in MS65

2005 'Speared Buffalo' Jefferson nickel. Image: PCGS

The most modern coin on the list features what looks like a spear running through the bison's back due to a die gouge.

This one-year issue was part of the new set of 'Westward Journey' designs minted from 2004 to 2006.

8. 1943-P (Doubled Eye): $358 in MS65

Doubling errors are typically some of the most well-known and easy to notice visually.

Yet as the image above shows, it's not an especially recognizable error with the naked eye.

The 1943-P is also a silver war nickel, adding to its appeal.

7. 1949-D (D Over S): $481 in MS65

Like its 1942 counterpart, this coin features another overpunched mintmark.

Image: USA CoinBook

Numismatic insiders often evaluate an error coin's rarity by researching two areas:

• How many existing coins with the error are known so far?
• How many coins were struck by the die that had the error?

Accurate data for these two questions is not always forthcoming. A lot of sleuthing may be required! Values are based on the best possible estimates.

6. 1943-P (3 Over 2, 'Fishhook'): $585 in MS65

Here is another variety of the 1943-P 35% silver nickel. The '3 Over 2' or '3/2' variety is an example of what is often called an overdate error.

Usually, it was easier for the mint to replace one digit of the date rather than use a whole new die. However, in this case, the entire date (all four digits) has been stamped over the previous year.

5. 1971-S (No S): $780 in PR65

Image: USA CoinBook

Proof Jefferson nickels were only minted in San Francisco in 1971.

However, some 1,655 proofs were mistakenly struck without the 'S' mintmark. This is a tricky 'error by omission.' To date, only a few hundred of these 'No S' 1971 Jefferson nickel proof coins have been graded by NGC and PCGS combined.

Such errors have cropped up on other denominations, as well. One prominent example is the 1922-D 'No D' penny that's missing its intended mintmark.

4. 1946-D (D Over Inverted D): $1,350 in MS65

1946-D (D Over Inverted D) Jefferson nickel. Image: PCGS

1964 Nickel Value Rare

Interestingly, this repunched mintmark coin shows an upside-down 'D' that was initially struck backwards!

In this case, the 'D' mint mark was struck upside down before being struck over with a D in the correct position. You can see the curve of the inverted D to the left of the vertical part of the regular D.

3. 1939-P (Double Monticello): $1,500 in MS65

Monticello is the iconic estate designed by Thomas Jefferson. It appears on the reverse design of all Jefferson nickels, with the exception of the Westward Journey subset (2004–2006).

The doubling effect is on the word 'MONTICELLO' and other inscriptions (shown above), not on the building itself.

2. 1942-D (D Over Horizontal D): $4,620 in MS65

Image: USA CoinBook

The strange horizontal alignment of the 'D' (above) is difficult to miss once you see it!

The fact that mintmarks were still hand-punched onto working dies for much of the 20th century made this type of error possible.

On the popular Numista forum, the user edduns points out:

'1989 was the last year of the hand-punched mint-marks on US coins.'

This coin is by far the most desirable Jefferson nickel variety. It's estimated that roughly 20,000 examples exist.

The 'Full Steps' designation is given to sharp, well-struck 1942-D (D/D) coins. This small subset (perhaps 500 examples) sells for a significant premium, with prices up to $10,000.

1. 1964 SMS: $8,750 in MS65

Available only in 1964 Special Mint Sets, it is believed that less than 40 examples of this sharply struck matte proof exist. Its existence was unknown until a 1993 Stack's auction. The 1964 SMS remains one of the rarest Jefferson nickels.

The extraordinary sharp strike on this matte proof 1964 SMS Jefferson nickel is even more impressive than typical proof coins. It was part of a prototype Special Mint Set that was never released.

Honorable Mentions

1994-P (Special Frosted Matte Uncirculated): $30 in MS65

Image: USA CoinBook

This was the first frosted matte finish coin issued in the Jefferson series.

The finish gives the coin a beautiful matte appearance that is the result of sandblasting. Small sand particles impart a 'frosty' look to the surface.

Is A 1964 Nickel Worth Anything

Most proof coins and special mint specimens from the U.S. Mint were produced with a similar style of matte finish before the mid-20th century.

1997-P (Special Frosted Matte Uncirculated): $65 in MS70

This is the second—and sole other—frosted matte issued in the series. It is often seen in MS69 and even MS70 grades. You'll notice it has a considerably higher value than the 1994 version.

That's because the 1997 issue had a limited mintage of only 25,000. Compare that to 167,703 minted for its predecessor.

1942-P (35% silver): $70 in PR65

Image: USA CoinBook

The proof version of the 1942-P Jefferson nickel is distinct from the other early proof coins.

During WWII, nickels were briefly struck from an alloy of 35% silver. Other metals had to be rationed as part of the war mobilization.

These silver 'war nickels' are distinguished by the placement of the mintmark above Monticello on the reverse design. Non-silver nickels put the mintmark to the right of the building.

The usual mintmark location was changed beginning in 1968, moving it to the rim of the obverse design.

1941-P, 1942-P (each): $100 in PR65

Each of these coins were pre-war proofs. They were made by the mint prior to the U.S. getting involved in World War II.

At auction, they tend to garner similar prices.

As proofs, only tens of thousands were minted rather than tens of millions. This relative scarcity supports the higher price.

1939-D: $125 in MS65

By contrast to the last entry, the 1939-D nickel is a regular circulation issue.

So why is it so valuable? It has the lowest mintage (3,514,000) of any standard-issue within the Jefferson nickel series. You can consider it a 'key date' for collectors.

1938-P, 1939-P, 1940-P (each): $130 in PR65

This group includes the earliest proofs in the series. The observation earlier about a much lower original mintage applies.

You can combine these three coins with the 1941 and 1942 issues to make a complete set of pre-war proofs.

Collecting Jefferson Nickels

There are abundant opportunities for collecting Jefferson nickels.

1964 Nickel Value Worth

Most of the high prices on this list relate to rare error coins. Aside from these rarities, the Jefferson nickel series is very affordable and accessible.

You can even kickstart your collection simply by merely sifting through pocket change! It's one of the nice advantages of collecting a modern circulating series.

1964 D Nickel Error

Nickel collectors can also dive into the recent Westward Journey circulating commemorative series. Released from 2004 through 2006, these coins (above) featured the first new designs on the five-cent coin since the Jefferson theme debuted in 1938.

Value Of Nickels By Year