Nickel Hunting
- Thread starter JimmerUSD
- Start date
hrnewsome
Full Member
- Jun 19, 2013
- 118
- 43
That cracked me up! I've put back almost that many.
If I don't find silver it's not because I'm not looking!
DaytonaRacer
Sr. Member
- May 21, 2013
- 486
- 222
- Detector(s) used
-
BH Tracker IV,
Fisher F22,
Garrett Pro Pointer
- Primary Interest:
- Other
I was always attracted to pre-62 nickels, the older the better - never really knew why. Eventually I decided to try to complete a full set (and I always replace existing coins with better condition ones when possible) so I began buying rolls and roll boxes. I've still got a ways to go, but in the meantime I did discover TWO 2013 identical die break reverse errors in the same box And there's always the possibility of finding some of the rarest issues:
 1938-D Jefferson Nickel - The Denver issue from the first year of the Jefferson nickel series, only 5,376,000 of these coins were minted. The 1938-D starts at a price of about $1.50 for an average-circulated Jefferson nickel.
 1938-S Jefferson Nickel - The San Francisco mint churned out only 4,105,000 first-year Jefferson nickels, among the 3 scarcest coins of the regular-issue Jefferson nickels. The 1939-S has a base price tag of around $2.50 for a typical, circulated Jefferson nickel.
 1939-D Jefferson Nickel - Coming in as the second scarcest regular-issue Jefferson nickel, the 1939-D is among the top of Jefferson nickel collectors’ wish lists. This piece has risen in value a bit over recent years, with a low-end price tag of about $6.
 1939-S Jefferson Nickel - Though not quite as scarce as its Denver cousin, the 1939-S is still a coin that is very difficult to locate in circulation and does cost a slight premium over other regular-issue Jefferson nickels in average-circulated condition. With a mintage of 6,630,000 the 1939-S Jefferson nickel typically costs about $1.50 in decent circulated condition.
 1949-S Jefferson Nickel - With some 9,716,000 being churned out, the 1949-S nickel is among the least scarce of the nickels listed here, but still under the 10,000,000 threshold and, thus, among the hardest-to-locate Jefferson nickels in the entire series. The 1949-S Jefferson nickel can be had for about 75 cents in circulated grades.
 1950 Jefferson Nickel - 1950 was a pretty lean year for nickel production. Only 9,847,386 1950 nickels rolled out of the Philadelphia mint, making the 1950 Jefferson nickel a coin worth looking for — and one that is certainly needed if you are completing a Jefferson nickel series collection. The 1950 Jefferson nickel can be purchased for around $1 in middle circulated grades.
 1950-D Jefferson Nickel - Every good coin series has its "key" coin. The Lincoln cents have the 1909-S V.D.B., the Mercury dimes have the 1916-D, and the Standing Liberty Quarter series would not be the challenge it is without its 1916 key. Which one coin is the most sought-after Jefferson nickel? None other than the 1950-D Jefferson nickel. That’s right, a modern-day "rarity," with just 2,630,030 produced.
A popular key coin ever since it first was released, causing people in mainstream America to look for and snap up these 1950-D Jefferson nickels, this coin at one time cost many hundreds of times its face value in uncirculated condition. While the fervor has since quieted around the 1950-D Jefferson nickel since its peak in popularity decades ago, this is still a coin that has people in the Jefferson nickel and modern coin communities buzzing.
Because it was saved in bulk quantities early on, most 1950-D nickels you find in dealers’ cases will be uncirculated. However, worn 1950-D Jefferson nickels certainly exist, and it is not at all impossible to even come across one in your change today. To buy a 1950-D Jefferson nickel will set you back about $15 or so in circulated grades, but only around $20 in uncirculated — remember, many were saved from day one.
 1951-S Jefferson Nickel - Not nearly as scarce as the 1950-D but still a toughie, the 1951-S Jefferson nickel comes in with a mintage of 7,776,000 — still a coin which will be difficult to find in circulation. The 1951-S Jefferson nickel costs around 75 cents to purchase in average-circulated condition.
 1955 Jefferson Nickel - With 8,266,200 minted, the 1955 nickel demands a good eye and a bit of luck to spot in circulation. It also commands a slight premium over other average-circulated, more common Jefferson nickels, starting at around 50 cents to purchase a circulated 1955 Jefferson nickel.
 1938-D Jefferson Nickel - The Denver issue from the first year of the Jefferson nickel series, only 5,376,000 of these coins were minted. The 1938-D starts at a price of about $1.50 for an average-circulated Jefferson nickel.
 1938-S Jefferson Nickel - The San Francisco mint churned out only 4,105,000 first-year Jefferson nickels, among the 3 scarcest coins of the regular-issue Jefferson nickels. The 1939-S has a base price tag of around $2.50 for a typical, circulated Jefferson nickel.
 1939-D Jefferson Nickel - Coming in as the second scarcest regular-issue Jefferson nickel, the 1939-D is among the top of Jefferson nickel collectors’ wish lists. This piece has risen in value a bit over recent years, with a low-end price tag of about $6.
 1939-S Jefferson Nickel - Though not quite as scarce as its Denver cousin, the 1939-S is still a coin that is very difficult to locate in circulation and does cost a slight premium over other regular-issue Jefferson nickels in average-circulated condition. With a mintage of 6,630,000 the 1939-S Jefferson nickel typically costs about $1.50 in decent circulated condition.
 1949-S Jefferson Nickel - With some 9,716,000 being churned out, the 1949-S nickel is among the least scarce of the nickels listed here, but still under the 10,000,000 threshold and, thus, among the hardest-to-locate Jefferson nickels in the entire series. The 1949-S Jefferson nickel can be had for about 75 cents in circulated grades.
 1950 Jefferson Nickel - 1950 was a pretty lean year for nickel production. Only 9,847,386 1950 nickels rolled out of the Philadelphia mint, making the 1950 Jefferson nickel a coin worth looking for — and one that is certainly needed if you are completing a Jefferson nickel series collection. The 1950 Jefferson nickel can be purchased for around $1 in middle circulated grades.
 1950-D Jefferson Nickel - Every good coin series has its "key" coin. The Lincoln cents have the 1909-S V.D.B., the Mercury dimes have the 1916-D, and the Standing Liberty Quarter series would not be the challenge it is without its 1916 key. Which one coin is the most sought-after Jefferson nickel? None other than the 1950-D Jefferson nickel. That’s right, a modern-day "rarity," with just 2,630,030 produced.
A popular key coin ever since it first was released, causing people in mainstream America to look for and snap up these 1950-D Jefferson nickels, this coin at one time cost many hundreds of times its face value in uncirculated condition. While the fervor has since quieted around the 1950-D Jefferson nickel since its peak in popularity decades ago, this is still a coin that has people in the Jefferson nickel and modern coin communities buzzing.
Because it was saved in bulk quantities early on, most 1950-D nickels you find in dealers’ cases will be uncirculated. However, worn 1950-D Jefferson nickels certainly exist, and it is not at all impossible to even come across one in your change today. To buy a 1950-D Jefferson nickel will set you back about $15 or so in circulated grades, but only around $20 in uncirculated — remember, many were saved from day one.
 1951-S Jefferson Nickel - Not nearly as scarce as the 1950-D but still a toughie, the 1951-S Jefferson nickel comes in with a mintage of 7,776,000 — still a coin which will be difficult to find in circulation. The 1951-S Jefferson nickel costs around 75 cents to purchase in average-circulated condition.
 1955 Jefferson Nickel - With 8,266,200 minted, the 1955 nickel demands a good eye and a bit of luck to spot in circulation. It also commands a slight premium over other average-circulated, more common Jefferson nickels, starting at around 50 cents to purchase a circulated 1955 Jefferson nickel.
Last edited:
jamesandsons
Sr. Member
I've searched about $700 to $1000 worth of nickels so far (haven't kept good track of it) and have found 2 of those "top 9" nickels: the 1951-S and the 1955 (just got it the other night). Looking forward to finding more, but not holding my breath that I'll ever find a 50-D.
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