Find the current Jefferson Nickel values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. Premium Jefferson nickel values are found in the early years and silver issues. Follow a few steps comparing your coin to images and descriptions. 1941 D $0.05 $0. The 1941 Jefferson Nickel had a mintage of just 203,265,000. The composition of these coins is copper/nickel. The diameter is 21.2mm. We use strict Photograde standards when grading all of our coins. You can refer to the grading guidelines for these coins at the bottom of the main page for the Jefferson Nickels. CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1941 Jefferson Nickel value at an average of 35 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $175.
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!
What Jefferson Nickels Are Valuable
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.
Pokerstars casino blackjack no deposit. 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
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
1941 Nickel Value Chart
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.
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.
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.
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.
Image source: Flickr
What to Look for In a1941 Nickel
The 1941 nickel is the last pre-war nickel produced that had the 25% nickel, 75% copper composition.
Starting in 1942, the United States Mint started striking five-cent coins of different composition: a combination of copper, silver and manganese. The reason for the change in the five cent's composition was to allocate the nickel used in the coins to artillery production during World War II.
Nickels produced in 1941 were minted in San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia so you will see an S or D mark on the reverse side of the coin.
But there are also a number of these coins with no mint mark. Those with no mint marks mean that they were minted in Philadelphia, United States' primary mint. The P mint mark was not added to nickels and other coins until the 1970s, except for nickels made from 1942-1945, or the wartime nickels.
How Much Is A 1941-S Nickel Worth?
If you ever come across a 1941 nickel in your purse or anywhere in your house, it may most likely be worth more than its face value, which is five cents.
If you take your rare find at an auction, it may fetch somewhere between 55 cents – those that are in average condition as the rest of the coins in circulation since 1941 – and $150 in mint state condition, meaning it is not as worn out as the others and is in better condition than the rest. Nickels that are in mint state condition are those that have not been in circulation for a good number of years, thus preserving their mint state.
What Should You Look For In A 1941-S Nickel?
It may be a little eye-straining to look at a 1941 nickel and its features to determine if it is indeed a rare find. When it comes to being a collectible coin, it must have certain features and elements that are otherwise not present in the others in the same batch or mint date:
- The coin should have a mint mark of S or D, or no mint mark at all. No mint mark indicates that it was minted in Philadelphia. If you see a 1941 nickel that has a P mint mark on top of the Monticello Dome, it is highly likely to be fake, as nickels struck in Philadelphia prior to the ‘70s do not have the P mint mark.
- The coin should be in excellent, or at least good, condition to be considered of high value. Since it has been in circulation since 1941, you can expect to see some wear, but not too much or it would lose its value by a huge margin.
Determining A Coin's Value.
When it comes to collecting rare and collectible coins, their value are determined by grades. Not all old coins are worth more than their face value. There are grading criteria for coins to be considered rare, collectible and have values higher than what they are originally worth.
1. The first criteria is its being uncirculated. This element is what numismatists run after. If a coin is uncirculated, you are most likely to land one that is in its almost perfect condition as it was when it was minted. Uncirculated coins fetch the highest values because of their mint condition.
2. A grade of extremely fine indicates that a coin is in mint condition, appearing almost like an uncirculated coin. But on closer inspection, you will see some minor flaws that have accumulated for years of being in circulation. Extremely fine nickels may be in circulation for a few years then kept in storage for a long time before being released into circulation.
3. Fine coins are those that have been in circulation for many years, and may exhibit visible scratches and other flaws, but generally the features are still clear and recognizable.
4. Good nickels are what majority of the nickels are graded today. These are the ones that have been in circulation the longest, and on their surfaces are scratches, dents and other flaws that may diminish their value compared to other nickels in better grades.
These are just some of the things that you need to know about 1941 Jefferson nickels and coins in general. When looking for a rare nickel, remember the things mentioned above, and be always on the lookout for opportunities to find rare nickels and coins.
SaleBestseller No. 1 1941 S Jefferson Nickel 5C About Uncirculated- 1941-S Jefferson Nickel About Uncirculated
- Product images are of the exact collectible coin(s) sold and shipped.
- 1941-S Jefferson Nickel Very Fine
- Product images are of the exact collectible coin(s) sold and shipped.
1941 Buffalo Nickel Value
SaleBestseller No. 3 1941 Jefferson Nickel 5C Very Fine- 1941 No Mint Mark Jefferson Nickel Very Fine
- Coin Pictured is Coin Sold
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