Nickel coins are typically found in our pockets or piggy banks-for small change. But, did you know that some of these small-looking coins can be worth crores today? Because of minting mistakes or being minted in extremely small numbers, some of the rarest American nickel coins are being sold for astronomical prices that could shock anybody to hear. Five quintessence coins worth $250 million (around Rs 2000 crore) are estimated in valuation!
So let’s know about these five historical and unique nickel coins which collectors are still in search of around the world. Who knows, perhaps a similar one is hiding somewhere in your old piggy bank or coin box!
Why Some Nickels Are Worth a Fortune
Nickels are often regarded as just a common pocket currency, but there exist nickels which could make you a millionaire. The coins are extremely valuable because they are very rare, have historical importance, and were subjected to minting errors. Some coins were even minted twice by accident or were minted in extremely low numbers. Such coins become priceless for collectors. The 1913 Liberty Head nickels, only five of which were made, now sell for millions. Each coin conceals its own tale in order to make it special rather than ordinary. Therefore, whenever you come across an old coin, look for it yourself because it might be your lucky one at that moment!
1913 Liberty Head Nickel-A Mysterious Treasure
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel coin holds a mystery in American coin history. The special thing about this coin is it was never supposed to be minted. The Buffalo nickel design was introduced in the US in 1913, and the Liberty Head design was discontinued. But one of the Mint employees, possibly Samuel Brown, clandestinely struck five pieces of this coin.
These coins are among the rarest in the world today, and one sold for $4.56 million in 2018, with the highest price being estimated at $6.25 million. There are only three of them in private ownership; the other two are in museums.
1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel-Wartime Mistake, Priceless Heirloom
This coin’s existence is due to a human error made during a wartime period of World War I. In 1918, in the Denver Mint, an old die from 1917 had an “8” engraved over the “7”. This is called an “overdate error”.
This particular error has caused the coin to become very rare. Only less than 100 such coins exist. A high-grade version sold for $350,750 in 2006, and today it could be worth over $500,000.
1926-S Buffalo Nickel-Minted in Extremely Small Quantities
The special thing about the 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is that this coin was minted at 970,000 units only, whereas hundreds of millions of coins were made in other years. Also, at that time, the striking quality was not good, thus coming up with high-quality coins even rarer.
A high-grade coin sold for $322,000 in 2008 and today could be worth over $400,000.
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel-Just a Funny Mistake, Forming Into Huge Price
This coin is yet another error made during the minting within the US. The die of the buffalo design coin at the Denver Mint was highly polished in 1937 so that one of the buffalo’s legs became lost. It is now called the Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel.
Because of its particular design and mistake, it is highly rated among coin collectors. Its maximum estimated price can reach $150,000.
1969-S Double Die Jefferson Nickel-Double Text’s Rarity
Some varieties of the 1969 Jefferson nickel have the double-die error, which made the lettering appear double or blurred on the coin. Such is especially so for the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.”
Besides, that error made the coin rare, and it is said that now it can be worth as much as $35,000.
Table: Features and Estimated Price of These Top Nickels
| Coin & Year | Key Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 Liberty Head | Only 5 made, secret minting | $6.25 million |
| 1918/7-D Buffalo | Overdate error, Denver Mint | Up to $500,000 |
| 1926-S Buffalo | Low mintage, San Francisco | Up to $400,000 |
| 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo | Missing leg, minting error | Up to $150,000 |
| 1969-S Doubled Die Jefferson | Doubled text, rare design | Up to $35,000 |
Are These Coins Still Available to Find? Absolutely!
How to locate such a rare coin? The truth is there are billions of nickel coins still circulating in the U.S., and there are probably many out there that have been put by someone aside-but mistaken as simple change.
Even a 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo has been found in regular pocket money, so take a good look at that collection of old coins you might own-you never know!
Very useful tips for knowing whether a nickel coin is rare or valuable: Check the date and mint mark-there’s a little letter alongside the date in front of the coin which shows whether the coin was made in D (Denver), S (San Francisco), or none, which means it’s for Philadelphia.
Find out if there are some mistakes: Look for such things as overdates (for example, 8 over 7), double-texts, or some design error (missing limbs). You may need to use a right magnifier or a good phone camera.
Have it professionally checked: If you think you have found a rare coin, have it checked by PCGS or a trustworthy coin-grading agency.
Conclusion
Next time you take out a nickel, take a look at it: that piece of currency might be worth a lot more than you’d think. This just might be an old piece of American history-and worth millions!
FAQs
Q1. What makes these nickels so valuable?
A. Their value comes from extreme rarity, minting errors, and historical significance that attract serious coin collectors.
Q2. Are any of these rare nickels still in circulation?
A. Yes, some have slipped into circulation unnoticed over the years, which means it’s possible to find one in pocket change or old collections.
Q3. How can I tell if my nickel is worth something?
A. Look for specific dates, mint marks, and signs of minting errors like doubled text or missing details, then get it professionally appraised.
Q4. Which is the most valuable nickel of all time?
A. The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel tops the list, with only five known to exist and one selling for over $4.5 million.
Q5. Where should I go if I think I have a rare nickel?
A. You should contact a reputable coin dealer or grading service like PCGS or NGC to verify its authenticity and market value.
