Rare Nickels Worth Money
Most nickels are worth five cents, but a handful of key dates, silver war nickels, and errors are worth far more. Here are the nickels worth checking and how to identify them.
What is your nickel really worth?
Snap a photo and Coin AI identifies the coin, estimates its grade, and gives a value range in seconds.
What to look for
Nickels worth checking
- Liberty Head V Nickel — Includes the legendary 1913 Liberty nickel — a multimillion-dollar rarity.
- 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel — Over-polished die removed a leg — a famous, valuable error.
- Jefferson War Nickel (Silver) — 1942–1945 nickels are 35% silver — worth above face.
- 1950-D Jefferson Nickel — Lowest-mintage Jefferson nickel and the series key date.
- 2005 Buffalo Nickel (Speared Bison) — The Speared Bison die-gouge variety brings strong premiums.
- 1939 Jefferson Nickel — Doubled Monticello variety and scarcer Denver coins.
- 1971 Jefferson Nickel — The rare 1971 No-S proof error.
- Buffalo Nickel — Key dates and Type 2 issues across 1913–1938.
What is your nickel really worth?
Snap a photo and Coin AI identifies the coin, estimates its grade, and gives a value range in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Which nickels are worth money?
Silver war nickels (1942–1945), key dates like the 1950-D and 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo, the 2005 Speared Bison variety, and the legendary 1913 Liberty nickel are the standouts. Condition and Full Steps also drive value.
How do I know if my nickel is silver?
Only war nickels from 1942–1945 are silver, identified by a large mint mark (P, D, or S) above Monticello on the reverse. All other circulating nickels are copper-nickel. Photograph yours in Coin AI to check.