Which Nickles?

[usandthem]

I thought I'd try lookin' through nickles this weekend. I know to look for war nickles and buffalos but what else should I be lookin' for? Thanks.

 

[999digger]

Other things you should look for are
Nickels before 1960
V-Nickels
Errors
Old Canadians
Anything you find interesting
Good luck on the nickels
HH

 

[brucebob]

Those are pretty much the only nickels I keep. I also for some reason keep any nickel 1964 or earlier, I know they aren't worth anymore...

You could also look for errors depending on how much time you want to spend. Proofs are pretty easy to find, I think for nickels, anything 1975 or later that has a 'S' mintmark is a proof and is worth more than face value.

I've been getting rolls of halves and enjoy it. Thinking about getting some dimes. Hope this helps!

 

[kleinerschmitter]

And all 2009 Nickels, I'm selling a roll of them right now on eBay for double face value right now and still have 4 days of auction left...I'm betting it will go for around $10. HH and good luck!

 

[brucebob]

And all 2009 Nickels, I'm selling a roll of them right now on eBay for double face value right now and still have 4 days of auction left...I'm betting it will go for around $10. HH and good luck!

What's the deal with 2009 nickels, did they not make that many that year?

 

[captainfwiffo]

2009 had the lowest mintage since the 50s, like 10% of a usual year. The recession meant that everybody was turning in their change jars, so their was low demand for new coins. So it might be a key date in the future. I find plenty, but I guess I'll keep saving them if people are willing to pay more than face for them.

1950-D is the key date, always a keeper, and very hard to find in circulation. 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D and 1939-S are also semi-key dates, and a few dates in the 40s and 50s are a bit scarce, and pretty much any with an S mintmark (either older or proofs.) Of course, keep all the silver war nickels with the large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse.

Don't keep 1964 nickels unless they're in EXCEPTIONAL condition. They were minted in HUGE numbers because of the coin shortage caused by silver hoarding, and they were even minted into 1965 and 1966. There will never be a shortage. Mintage numbers before '64 are a lot lower than after, so any of them might be worth keeping, though most are only worth face in circulated condition.

 

[brucebob]

2009 had the lowest mintage since the 50s, like 10% of a usual year. The recession meant that everybody was turning in their change jars, so their was low demand for new coins. So it might be a key date in the future. I find plenty, but I guess I'll keep saving them if people are willing to pay more than face for them.

1950-D is the key date, always a keeper, and very hard to find in circulation. 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D and 1939-S are also semi-key dates, and a few dates in the 40s and 50s are a bit scarce, and pretty much any with an S mintmark (either older or proofs.) Of course, keep all the silver war nickels with the large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse.

Don't keep 1964 nickels unless they're in EXCEPTIONAL condition. They were minted in HUGE numbers because of the coin shortage caused by silver hoarding, and they were even minted into 1965 and 1966. There will never be a shortage. Mintage numbers before '64 are a lot lower than after, so any of them might be worth keeping, though most are only worth face in circulated condition.

Very good info, thanks!