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Portraying Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse, this nickel replaced the Liberty Head design in 1938 and remains in production today. Its most collectible chapter is the wartime years (1942-1945), when the Mint pulled nickel out of the alloy for military use and struck the coin in 35% silver instead -- identifiable by a large mint mark above Monticello's dome, the first time Philadelphia coins ever carried a mint mark at all.
Every date below is a recognised key date or variety. Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
How many of each were struck — the shortest bar is the scarcest date in the series.
Bars are scaled to keep the smallest mintages visible; the exact figure is printed on every row. Mintage is coins struck, not coins surviving — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further.
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About Jefferson Nickel values
The 1939 tops this series: a top-grade example is estimated around $1,879. Condition drives that figure — the same date in worn condition is worth a fraction of it, which is why each guide shows a range rather than a single number.
By mintage, the 1950-D is the scarcest key date tracked here, with 2,630,030 struck. Mintage is coins struck rather than coins surviving, though — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further, so survival estimates run lower still.
This guide covers 7 key dates and varieties from the Jefferson Nickel series (1938–present). Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
Grading takes practice, and the gap between adjacent grades is real money on a key date. Compare your coin against the photographs on each date's page, and for anything potentially valuable consider having it certified by PCGS or NGC — a graded coin settles both authenticity and condition in one step.
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Every US series with key dates priced here.
