This blog is the second of a 2-part series on how to organize your pennies and nickels for sale. In part 1 of the series we discussed pennies. Now, in part 2, we show you how to organize your circulated 5-cent nickels.
The Jefferson nickel, shown above, has been in circulation since 1938. While it is the only 5-cent coin you will find circulating in commerce today, collectors saved previous 5-cent coins like the Buffalo and the Liberty nickel before it.
Since its introduction in 1866, the 5-cent nickel has been composed of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. The only exception was between 1942 and 1945. During this period, nickel was in short supply and needed for the war effort. As a result, silver and manganese were substituted for nickel. Each war-time nickel contains 1.75 grams of silver which makes it valuable. Silver war-time nickels can be identified by a large P, D, or S placed at the top of Monticello on the coin’s reverse. The image above shows what a new or uncirculated coin would look like.
The coin to the right is more representative of what you might find in a typical collection of these coins that would have been saved from pocket change years ago.
The Buffalo or Indian Head nickel is a favorite among collectors. It was produced from 1913 until 1938. The image to the left shows you what a mint state specimen looks like. By contrast, those that were saved from circulation would look like the ones below.
The left coin shows a circulated Buffalo nickel with its date still visible. The one to the right
is circulated to the point that its date has worn off. Both have value but the dated Buffalo will be worth more.
Finally, you might also find Liberty nickels in an inherited collection. These nickels are also called “V” nickels due to the Roman numeral V used on the reverse to designate its denomination of five-cents. The uncirculated example to the right from 1883 is known as the “no cents” variety because
the word “cents” was omitted. As a result, this coin was the object of unscrupulous individuals who gold plated them. In places where gold coins were less common, these altered coins would be passed off as a five-dollar gold coin to an unsuspecting person. Recognizing its mistake, the U.S. Mint adjusted the coin’s design by including the word “cents” to remove all doubt.
Liberty nickels that you find might look more like this worn example.
In summary, if you wish to sell any five-cent nickels pull out your war-time Jeffersons, your Buffalos, V Nickels and any others dated 1883 or earlier. They all are valued more than their face amount.
