· US coin values ·
Nickel Coin Value
Circulated Jefferson nickels are worth face value, but the older series carry real premiums: Buffalo nickels start around $1, Liberty V nickels around $1.50–$2, wartime silver nickels (1942–1945) about $3 in silver alone, and key dates run into the thousands.
· Identify yours ·
Identify nickel coin value by photos
Upload a photo of each side of your nickel — the inscriptions are read right in your browser, nothing is uploaded to any server, and the coin is matched against the worldwide catalogue.
· Live catalogue prices ·
How much is a nickel worth?
Estimates below are drawn from a worldwide numismatic catalogue for each series' most common issue and refresh weekly. Scarcer dates and mint marks price far higher — see the key dates further down.
| Coin | Years | Good (G-4) | Very Fine (VF-20) | Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Uncirculated (MS-60+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shield Nickel | 1867–1883 | $4.62 | $15 | $27 | — |
| Liberty "V" Nickel | 1883–1913 | $1.81 | $4.82 | $4.83 | $170 |
| Buffalo Nickel | 1913–1938 | $0.90 | $1.85 | $2.30 | $29 |
| Jefferson Nickel | 1938–2003 | $0.11 | $0.22 | $0.29 | $1.84 |
| Wartime Silver Nickel | 1942–1945 | $1.58 | $2.10 | $3.11 | $9.67 |
Prices are catalogue estimates for each type's most common issue, in USD, for reference only. The exact value of your coin depends on its date, mint mark and condition — check it by name or photograph it in the app.
· Worth real money ·
Nickel key dates to look for
- 1937-D "Three-Legged" Buffalo — $500+ in Very Good to Fine — an over-polished die removed a legSold: $600, PCGS F-15, FS-901 — Stack's Bowers, March 25, 2026 Collectors Choice Online Auction, lot 96095, Mar 2026
- 1916 Doubled Die Buffalo — $2,000+ even in About Good, $4,000+ in GoodSold: $4,440, NGC G-6, FS-101 — Stack's Bowers, November 19, 2025 Collectors Choice Online Auction, lot 94080, Nov 2025
- 1885 Liberty Nickel — $300+ even in Good — the key date of the V seriesSold: $312, PCGS G-6 — Stack's Bowers, August 11, 2023 Collectors Choice Online Auction, lot 92190, Aug 2023
- 1939-D Jefferson — A premium in mint state — one of the key Jefferson dates
- 1942–1945 silver nickels — 35% silver — only those with a large P, D or S above Monticello; earlier 1942 nickels are not silverMelt: about $3.02 (0.05626 oz silver at $53.75/oz, Oct 2026)
· By year ·
Nickel values for single dates
· Questions ·
Nickel values FAQ
Are Buffalo nickels worth anything?
Yes — even a dateless Buffalo nickel sells for around 50 cents, a readable common date for $1–$3, and scarcer Denver and San Francisco dates from the 1910s–1920s for more. The famous 1937-D three-legged variety brings $500 or more in Very Good to Fine.
Which Jefferson nickels are silver?
Only the wartime issues of 1942–1945, identifiable by the large mint mark (P, D or S) above Monticello's dome. They are 35% silver and worth about $3 each in silver at October 2026 prices, in any condition.
How do I check what my nickel is worth?
Confirm the series and date, then the mint mark. The fastest way is a photo — the Coin Value Checker app identifies the exact type and shows the price for its condition.
Got a nickel in hand?
Photograph it and get the exact variety, date and a condition-aware value estimate in seconds.
Coin Value Checker Free
or scan with your camera to download for free
US coin values by denomination:
Penny Coin Value · Dime Coin Value · Quarter Coin Value · Half Dollar Coin Value · Dollar Coin Value · Coin value guide