Nickels, though often overlooked in daily transactions, can sometimes hold significant value beyond their face value. Here are seven valuable American nickels that you might find in circulation.
1. 1942-1945 Jefferson Silver War Nickel
During World War II, nickel was a critical war material, so the U.S. Mint used a combination of copper, silver, and manganese to produce nickels. These “War Nickels” are easily identified by the large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse. Their silver content makes them valuable to collectors.
2. 1938-D Buffalo Nickel
The Buffalo Nickel, minted from 1913 to 1938, features a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison (commonly called a buffalo) on the reverse. The 1938-D edition, minted in Denver, is particularly sought after by collectors.
3. 2004 and 2005 Bison Nickels
In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Mint released a special series of nickels to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. These nickels, known as the “Westward Journey” series, feature a bison on the reverse and a depiction of the Jefferson Peace Medal on the obverse.
4. 1939-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1939-D Jefferson Nickel, minted in Denver, is notable for its low mintage and is therefore a valuable find for collectors. It features Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse.
5. 1950-D Jefferson Nickel
Similar to the 1939-D, the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel from the Denver Mint is also valuable due to its low mintage. It features the same design as other Jefferson Nickels, with Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse.
6. 2005-D Speared Bison Nickel
A rare error coin from the Westward Journey series, the 2005-D Speared Bison Nickel features a die gouge that appears to spear the bison on the reverse. This error makes it highly sought after by collectors.
7. 2009-D Jefferson Nickel
In 2009, the U.S. Mint released a special series of nickels to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The 2009-D edition, minted in Denver, features four different reverse designs representing Lincoln’s life stages. Collectors often seek out these unique coins.
While finding these valuable nickels in circulation is rare, it’s always exciting to keep an eye out for these hidden treasures in your change. Who knows, you might just stumble upon a valuable piece of American numismatic history!