Valuable U.S. Nickels That Are Worth Real Money

The first official U.S. five-cent piece was authorized in 1792, but the nickel as we know it did not appear until 1866. On May 16 of that year, Congress approved a new five-cent coin struck from a copper-nickel alloy — 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel.

For several years the Mint produced both silver half dimes and copper-nickel five-cent coins before the half dime was phased out. Over time four primary designs dominated the nickel series: the Shield, Liberty (Liberty Head), Buffalo (Indian Head Buffalo), and Jefferson designs. Minor variations appear among early issues. In 2004–2005, special reverse designs commemorated the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the obverse of the Jefferson nickel was redesigned in 2006.

Coin value depends on collector demand and is heavily influenced by rarity and condition. In the United States, Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are two leading grading services. Both use the Sheldon Scale, which assigns a numeric grade from 1 to 70. Coins graded 60 or higher are considered mint state; gem-quality coins usually earn grades of 66 or higher, displaying exceptional strike, luster, and minimal abrasions.

Which nickels are most valuable? Most people won’t find any of the coins below under their couch cushions — but if you do, don’t spend it. The following list highlights 20 of the most valuable U.S. nickels, whose combined auction totals reach into the millions.

20. 1880 Shield Nickel

Auction record: $88,125

Just 16,000 Shield nickels were minted in 1880, and only around 100–150 are known to survive. Features such as a raised lump below the TE of STATES indicate specimens struck for circulation rather than specially made proofs. Few survive at gem quality; only two are certified at a higher grade than the example cited.

19. 1867 Rays Shield Cameo Nickel

Auction record: $109,250

In 1867 proof Shield nickels were produced using obverse dies that included rays around the shield. The rays caused early die failures, and they were removed mid-year, making the “rays” proofs especially scarce. The cameo designation on this piece reflects strong contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields, typical of high-quality proofs.

18. 1927-S Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $125,350

The 1927-S Buffalo nickel is commonly encountered in circulated grades, but extremely rare in mint state. In gem condition it ranks among the rarest Buffalo nickels, with only a few other years scarcer in comparable condition. The example cited is the highest-graded known for this date.

17. 1918-S Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $125,350

The 1918-S is scarce in all grades and especially rare in mint state. The specimen noted is graded at gem quality and is considered the rarest regular-strike Buffalo nickel produced between 1913 and 1919.

16. 1867 Rays Cameo Proof Shield Nickel

Auction record: $132,250

Original proofs struck on Feb. 8, 1867 are exceptionally scarce — only about 25 were made and fewer than 10 original examples remain. Later restrikes complicate the series, but the cited coin’s frosted surfaces produce a strong cameo effect on both sides, enhancing its desirability.

15. 1917-S Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $138,000

Many 1917-S nickels suffer weak striking and die erosion. The referenced example is the finest certified, with an unusually sharp strike and only minimal erosion — qualities that elevate its market value.

14. 1920-D Regular Strike Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $138,000

Although Denver and San Francisco each struck roughly 9.5 million nickels in 1920, relatively few survive in mint state. Estimates suggest only about 80 mint-state examples for this Denver issue, making it rarer in high grade than most Denver issues from 1924–1938, with the 1927-D being an exception.

13. 1913-D Buffalo Nickel — Type 2

Auction record: $143,750

Type 2 Buffalo nickels from 1913 have low mintages at Denver and San Francisco. The 1913-D Type 2 is difficult to find in any condition; the example shown is of the highest quality and comparable in rarity to other early mint-state nickels.

12. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $155,250

An overdate variety resulting from reusing a die previously hubbed with “1917” and then impressed with “1918,” some 1918/7-D nickels were produced during wartime pressure to increase coinage. The coin cited is a gem-quality example with only a tiny fleck of carbon near the chin on the obverse.

11. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Nickel

Auction record: $163,000

This doubled-die obverse specimen ranks among the finest of its type and is preserved in mint condition, making it a standout among 1916 nickels.

10. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $161,000

This is one of only two coins at its grade and represents the fifth finest known 1918/7-D. A small carbon spot on the neck likely kept it just shy of gem status.

9. 1880 Shield Nickel

Sale record (eBay): $175,000

With a mintage of only 16,000, the 1880 Shield Nickel is one of the lowest-mintage Shield issues. The example sold on eBay was one of the highest-graded survivors for this date, contributing to its significant price.

8. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $264,500

Circulated examples number only about 100–150, with no more than ten known in mint condition. Despite a small corrosion mark on the obverse, this piece remains one of the finest surviving specimens.

7. 1916-D Buffalo Nickel — Doubled Die Obverse

Auction record: $281,750

About 200 examples are known, with fewer than 15 in mint condition. The doubling shows prominently on the date and on the Indian chief’s lip and chin. The cited coin ranks among the two finest known for this variety.

6. 1926-S Regular Strike Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $322,000

The 1926-S is the rarest standard-issue Buffalo nickel, even in circulated grades. Only 970,000 were struck that year — far fewer than typical mintages — and only 17 are certified in gem condition, which helps explain the coin’s substantial premium.

5. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

Auction record: $350,750

Wartime shortages during World War I led to hurried production and a hubbing error that created the 1918/7 overdate. Estimated mintage is uncertain but may be around 100,000, while surviving mint-state pieces are extremely scarce — perhaps two dozen. Circulated examples often lose their date to wear; only a handful achieve gem grading.

4. 1964 Jefferson Mirror Brockage on Reverse

Sale record (eBay): $1,150,000

This unique piece is a brockage error in which a mirror image of a design has been impressed onto the blank, resulting in the coin showing mirrored obverses (two “head” sides). Only one other two-headed Jefferson nickel is known (a 2000 issue), making brockages and similar striking anomalies exceptionally valuable to collectors.

3. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Auction record: $3,172,500

One of only five known specimens of the 1913 Liberty Head (V) nickel in private hands, this coin is among the most famous rarities in American numismatics. The Walton specimen and the McDermott coin (on display at the ANA Money Museum) are notable examples. The Walton story includes misdirection about ownership and even a known fake that circulated among collectors. Original 1913 Liberty Head nickels have passed through many owners and remain among the most sought-after U.S. coins.

2. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Auction record: $3,737,500

The Olsen specimen is one of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels. Over the decades it passed through notable collections, including sales to prominent collectors and even King Farouk of Egypt, who reportedly considered it redundant once he acquired another example now in the Smithsonian.

1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Auction record: $4,560,000

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel ranks as one of the most desirable and valuable coins in U.S. collecting. Only five uncirculated examples are known, and by 1920 all five belonged to a single collector, Samuel W. Brown, before eventual sale to Col. Edward H.R. Green. After Green’s death the coins moved through several collections. The Eliasberg specimen, considered the finest of the five, displays surfaces similar to a proof and achieved the highest auction record of the group. Two of the five are now held by public institutions.