Valuable Nickels
The final coin on this list of rare Canadian nickels is the 1948 5 cents. As we discussed in the section on the 1947 dot 5 cent coin, the dies for the 1948 coinage were not available until later in the year so the mint only produced about 1.8 million 1948 nickels. The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between 1907 and 1909. 1834 Proof Capped Bust Quarter. Value: $329,000. Grade: PCGS PR-67 Cameo. Other, older valuable nickels feature the profile of an Indian one one side and a buffalo on the other. Knowing precisely which of these pieces of metal currency is valuable requires the expertise of a knowledgeable rare coin and currency appraisal specialist. Oct 23, 2019 While, generally speaking, Buffalo nickels tend to be rarer and more valuable the older they are, age is not the singular defining factor of the Buffalo Nickel’s value. Those from the first few years of minting that are carefully preserved are highly sought after. Other key dates for Buffalo nickels include: 1915-S, minted in San Francisco.
Finding Rare Nickels - What to Look For
There are not a lot of rare nickels and they are fairly inexpensive, which makes them a great coin series for the beginner or those with a modest budget to collect.
You can put together a nice collection without spending a lot of money. In fact, a lot of the Jefferson Nickel series can still be found in circulation.
Who knows, you might even happen across a very unique rare nickel just like Mr. Ken Frith did.
In 1961, knowing that Mr. Frith specialized in error coins, a very unique 1942-S Jefferson Nickel was brought to his attention.
After carefully examining the coin to make sure it was not a fabrication, Mr. Frith purchased the coin.
This unique, one of a kind nickel has the obverse (front) of a 1942 Jefferson Nickel muledMule
This is a coin that was struck from two dies not intended to be used together. For example, it would have the front (obverse) of one denomination or coin type and the back (reverse) of another. These are very rare. with a 1941-S reverse.
Click Here to read more about Mr. Frith's exciting discovery.
Find out how he knew that someone at the mint had made a huge error.
You will also see the documentation sent to me by Mr. Frith which details all the steps that he took to verify that this was truly an authentic mint strike coin.
See actual copies of letters, a newspaper article in the New York Times, and a copy of the page from the auction catalog where the coin was described for auction.
Then, get out your nickels and start searching for your own keydates and error coins!!
Below you will find the keydates for each type of nickel along with information about error coins that you should keep an eye out for.
Valuable Nickels 1941
Shield Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
Shield Nickels are going to be the most expensive of all the nickel types if you choose to collect them. Very worn coins will cost you around $20 each.- Key Dates: 1877 (proof only), 1878 (proof only), 1879, 1880, 1881
- Overdate: 1879/8, 1883/2
- Repunched Date: 1866
Valuable Nickels 1964
Liberty Head Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
A collection of Liberty Head Nickels is quite possible on a modest budget with the exception of the keydates listed below.- Key Dates: 1885, 1886, 1912-S
- 1913 - Only 5 are known to exist!!
Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
Most Indian Head Nickels are also moderately priced and within reach of the average collector. With only one keydate and a couple of semi-keydates, a collection of Buffalo Nickels could be put together on a fairly small budget.- Key Dates: 1913-S Variety 2
- Overdate: 1914/3, 1918/7-D
- Double Dies: 1916 (obv), 1935 (rev)
- Overmintmarks:1942-D over Horiaontal D
- 1936-D Three and 1/2 legs on Buffalo
- 1937-D Three-legged Buffalo
Jefferson Nickel - Rare Nickels and Errors to Watch For
The Jefferson Nickel series doesn't have any major rarities. This is one reason it's such a good series for a beginner to collect (or anyone on a modest budget).
- Key Dates: 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S and the 1950-D
- Overmintmarks: 1949-D/S, 1954-S/D, 1955-D/S
- Overdate: 1943/2-P
- Double Dies: 1939 (doubled MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS), 1943-P (doubled eye), 1945 (rev) and 2004
- Full Step Nickels: Jefferson nickels that have 'full steps' on the reverse sell for a premium.
- 1942-S with the reverse of the 1941: the rarest Jefferson Nickel. Only one is known to exist. Wouldn't it be cool to find one of those in your pocket change!
Click here to read more about this exciting discovery.
For some great deals on Coins and Coin Supplies visit my friends at Jake's Marketplace, Inc. They have a very comprehensive selection to choose from and give great discounts!
Learn more about Shield Nickels
Valuable Dollar Coins
Learn more about Liberty Head Nickels
Learn more about Indian Head or Buffalo Nickels
Return from Rare Nickels to Jefferson Nickels.
Learn more about the one of a kind 1942 Rare Nickel described above.
Learn where the mint mark is located