Coins are often overlooked in the digital age, especially as online shopping and contactless payments have become the norm.
But those forgotten nickels in your pocket could be worth more than their face value if you happen to have a rare one lying around.
Some nickels, originally worth just five cents, are now considered collectibles and can be sold for large sums of money.
Here’s a list of rare nickels that could be worth a small fortune. These coins range from common nickels you might have at home to rare ones that are harder to come by. Let’s dive in and see if you could be sitting on a valuable treasure!
1. The 1927 S Buffalo Nickel
Though most 1927 S Buffalo Nickels are known for their blurry designs due to poor strikes, if you own one with a crisp image, it could be worth up to $72,500. A clean strike is rare for this coin, making it incredibly valuable to collectors.
15 Antique Coins So Rare, They’re Worth More Than Gold—Find Out Why!
2. The 1913 Type 2 D Buffalo Nickel
This coin is rare because the U.S. Mint produced two variations of the Buffalo Nickel in 1913. The Type 2 D version is highly sought after by collectors.
Circulated versions may be worth $275, but if you have an uncirculated one, it could fetch as much as $500.
3. The 1937-D Buffalo Nickel (Three Legged Buffalo)
In 1937, a production error resulted in nickels where the buffalo image appears with only three legs instead of four. If you have one in good condition, it could be worth up to $1,000, and uncirculated versions can sell for as much as $5,000.
4. The 1913 Liberty Head ‘V’ Nickel
This is one of the rarest and most valuable nickels ever produced. Only five Liberty Head ‘V’ Nickels were made in 1913, and they are worth a fortune. In fact, one of these coins was sold for $4 million in 2018.
5. The 1918 7-D Buffalo Nickel
The 1918 7-D Buffalo Nickel has a unique error where the number “8” is stamped over the “7” in the date. This overdate makes the coin valuable. In excellent condition, it could be worth up to $260,000.
6. The 1918 S Buffalo Nickel
This coin, minted in San Francisco, is rare due to poor quality control during production. As a result, it has become a valuable collector’s item, with good-condition versions fetching up to $35,000.
7. The 1919 S Buffalo Nickel
The 1919 S Buffalo Nickel is valuable if it is error-free, as many produced that year had flaws. A pristine version of this coin could be worth up to $65,000.
8. The 1920 D Buffalo Nickel
Even though the Denver Mint produced around 9.5 million Buffalo Nickels in 1920, not many have survived in good condition. A high-quality version of the 1920 D Buffalo Nickel could be worth up to $50,000.
9. The 1939 Doubled Die Reverse Nickel
The 1939 Doubled Die Reverse Nickel is unique because of its doubled Monticello image. While circulated versions may not bring in much, uncirculated ones can fetch up to $7,800.
10. The 1880 Shield Nickel
Produced from 1866 to 1883, the Shield Nickel is one of the earliest nickels made from a copper-nickel alloy. Only 16,000 were made in 1880, and if you happen to own one, it could be worth around $10,000.
11. The 1916 Double-Died Obverse Buffalo Nickel
This nickel is highly valuable due to an error that created a doubled image on the obverse side of the coin. Depending on the condition, it can be worth anywhere from $3,000 to over $100,000.
12. The 1926 S Buffalo Nickel
This coin is rare not due to errors but because fewer than a million were produced by the San Francisco Mint. A 1926 S Buffalo Nickel in great condition could be worth as much as $135,000.
13. The 1917 S Buffalo Nickel
This nickel is prized for its unique dye, which collectors find intriguing. Most circulated versions of this coin are worth between $12 and $200, but uncirculated ones can sell for as much as $28,000.
14. The 1867 Shield Nickel
The 1867 Shield Nickel is valuable because of a design error. Some of the nickels from this year still featured the original design with rays, making them rare and worth up to $4,000.
10 Jaw-Dropping Coin Designs That Changed the World—You Won’t Believe How They Evolved!
15. The 1950 D Jefferson Nickel
Although not particularly special in design, the 1950 D Jefferson Nickel is rare because only two million were produced due to a recession.
Uncirculated versions can range from $5 to $500, depending on their condition.
16. The 1942 P Jefferson Nickel
Also known as a War Nickel, this coin contains 35% silver, making it more valuable than today’s nickels, which do not contain any silver.
Circulated versions can sell for $2 to $3, while uncirculated ones are worth up to $2,250.
Conclusion:
Rare nickels might seem like ordinary coins, but some of them hold extraordinary value. From coins with minting errors to limited production runs, these 16 nickels could be worth a small fortune if they’re in good condition.
If you have any old coins lying around, it’s worth taking a closer look—you never know, one of them could be the key to unlocking unexpected wealth. Keep an eye on your spare change; your next nickel might just be a hidden treasure!
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.