Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels That Are Worth Money – Check If You Have Any

The art of collecting rare nickels is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to own pieces of American history that could be worth a fortune. Some of these coins have sold for millions, while others remain highly coveted due to their rarity, errors, or historical significance.

Let’s take a deep look into the ten most valuable nickels ever minted, each with its own unique story and appeal.

1913 Liberty Head V Nickel

With only five known examples, the 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel is one of the rarest and most famous coins in U.S. history.

• Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
• Grade: Varies
• Last Sale Price: $4.56 million (2018)

This coin remains a mystery, as Liberty Head nickels were officially discontinued in 1912. Experts believe a rogue mint employee may have struck them without authorization, adding to their allure and extreme value.

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1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel is an overdate error caused when a 1917 die was mistakenly re-engraved with “1918.”

• Mint Mark: Denver (D)
• Grade: MS 65
• Last Sale Price: Over $350,000

This mistake created a unique date combination, making this coin highly desirable among collectors, especially in higher grades.

1926-S Buffalo Nickel

With a mintage of only 970,000, the 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is the rarest regular-issue Buffalo Nickel.

• Mint Mark: San Francisco (S)
• Grade: MS 66
• Last Sale Price: Over $300,000

Due to heavy circulation, high-grade examples are extremely difficult to find, making them some of the most valuable nickels in existence.

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1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel

This coin features a dramatic doubled die error, most visible in the word “LIBERTY” and the Native American’s facial features.

• Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
• Grade: MS 64
• Last Sale Price: Over $250,000

Collectors love this coin for its striking error, and well-preserved examples are rare and expensive.

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel

One of the most famous U.S. coin errors, the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel resulted from over-polishing of the die, causing the buffalo’s front leg to disappear.

• Mint Mark: Denver (D)
• Grade: MS 66
• Last Sale Price: Over $100,000

This unique design flaw has made it one of the most sought-after Buffalo Nickels.

1924-S Buffalo Nickel

The 1924-S Buffalo Nickel had a low mintage of approximately 1.4 million, and most examples were poorly struck or heavily circulated.

• Mint Mark: San Francisco (S)
• Grade: MS 66
• Last Sale Price: Over $100,000

Finding one in high grade is nearly impossible, making well-preserved specimens extremely valuable.

1885 Liberty Head V Nickel

This Liberty Head V Nickel had a mintage of only 1.47 million, making it one of the key dates in the series.

• Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
• Grade: MS 67
• Last Sale Price: Over $90,000

Most of these coins saw heavy circulation, and high-grade specimens command a premium.

1912-S Liberty Head V Nickel

The 1912-S Liberty Head V Nickel was the first nickel struck at the San Francisco Mint and had the lowest mintage of the series at just 238,000.

• Mint Mark: San Francisco (S)
• Grade: MS 66
• Last Sale Price: Over $80,000

Due to its rarity, collectors highly seek this coin, and its value increases significantly in higher grades.

1867 Shield Nickel (With Rays)

This Shield Nickel was originally designed with rays around the shield, but they were removed due to striking issues.

• Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
• Grade: MS 66
• Last Sale Price: Over $75,000

Because this version was only struck for one year, it remains a prized addition to any nickel collection.

1942-D Over Horizontal D Jefferson Nickel

This wartime error coin features a mint mark that was initially punched in a horizontal position and later corrected.

• Mint Mark: Denver (D)
• Grade: MS 65
• Last Sale Price: Over $50,000

Collectors love minting errors, and this one is particularly rare, making high-grade examples very valuable.

Collecting rare nickels can be an exciting and rewarding pursuit, both historically and financially. If you happen to come across one of these valuable nickels, you might just have a small fortune in your hands!

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