Nickels · 1938–2003

Jefferson Nickel Values & Mintages

Q: Where is the mint mark on a Jefferson Nickel?

1938–1941: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.1942–1945: Large mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse, including a "P" for Philadelphia, the first ever used. A large mint mark means a 35% silver war nickel.1946–1964: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.1965–1967: No mint mark. Mint marks were suspended in 1965–1967.1968–2003: On the obverse, near the date. "P" appears from 1980.

Felix Schlag won a public competition in 1938 with his portrait of Thomas Jefferson and a view of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia home.

Years: 1938–2003
Issues listed: 203
Lowest mintage: 2.63M
Diameter: 21.21 mm

Original illustration. Tap to flip.

From late 1942 to 1945, nickel was reserved for the war effort and the coin was struck in an alloy of copper, silver and manganese. These "war nickels" contain 0.0563 troy ounces of silver and are marked with a large mint letter above Monticello. Collectors also prize "Full Steps" coins showing five or six complete steps on Monticello.

Designer: Felix Schlag.

Key dates: lowest mintages

See all 203 →

1950-D Jefferson NickelThe 1950-D has the lowest mintage of any regular circulating Jefferson nickel and was heavily hoarded by…

2,630,030

1939-D Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

3,514,000

1938-S Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

4,105,000

1938-D Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

5,376,000

1939-S Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

6,630,000

1951-S Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

7,776,000

1955 Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

7,888,000

1949-S Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

9,716,000

1950 Jefferson NickelSemi-key: below-average mintage

9,796,000

1948-S Jefferson NickelCommon date

11,300,000

Jefferson Nickel circulation mintagesLog scale · hover or tap a bar · 1938–2003

Every Jefferson Nickel by year and mint

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Coin	Year	Mint	Mintage	Type	Silver
1938 Jefferson Nickel	1938	None	19,496,000	Circulation strike	–
1938 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1938	None	19,365	Proof	–
1938-D Jefferson Nickel	1938	D	5,376,000	Circulation strike	–
1938-S Jefferson Nickel	1938	S	4,105,000	Circulation strike	–
1939 Jefferson Nickel	1939	None	120,615,000	Circulation strike	–
1939 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1939	None	12,535	Proof	–
1939-D Jefferson Nickel	1939	D	3,514,000	Circulation strike	–
1939-S Jefferson Nickel	1939	S	6,630,000	Circulation strike	–
1940 Jefferson Nickel	1940	None	176,485,000	Circulation strike	–
1940 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1940	None	14,158	Proof	–
1940-D Jefferson Nickel	1940	D	43,540,000	Circulation strike	–
1940-S Jefferson Nickel	1940	S	39,690,000	Circulation strike	–
1941 Jefferson Nickel	1941	None	203,265,000	Circulation strike	–
1941 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1941	None	18,720	Proof	–
1941-D Jefferson Nickel	1941	D	53,432,000	Circulation strike	–
1941-S Jefferson Nickel	1941	S	43,445,000	Circulation strike	–
1942 Jefferson Nickel	1942	None	49,789,000	Circulation strike	–
1942-P Jefferson Nickel	1942	P	57,873,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1942 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1942	None	29,600	Proof	–
1942-P Jefferson Nickel Proof	1942	P	27,600	Proof	0.0563 oz
1942-D Jefferson Nickel	1942	D	13,938,000	Circulation strike	–
1942-S Jefferson Nickel	1942	S	32,900,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1943-P Jefferson Nickel	1943	P	271,165,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1943-D Jefferson Nickel	1943	D	15,294,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1943-S Jefferson Nickel	1943	S	104,060,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1944-P Jefferson Nickel	1944	P	119,150,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1944-D Jefferson Nickel	1944	D	32,309,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1944-S Jefferson Nickel	1944	S	21,640,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1945-P Jefferson Nickel	1945	P	119,408,100	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1945-D Jefferson Nickel	1945	D	37,158,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1945-S Jefferson Nickel	1945	S	58,939,000	Circulation strike	0.0563 oz
1946 Jefferson Nickel	1946	None	161,116,000	Circulation strike	–
1946-D Jefferson Nickel	1946	D	45,292,200	Circulation strike	–
1946-S Jefferson Nickel	1946	S	13,560,000	Circulation strike	–
1947 Jefferson Nickel	1947	None	95,000,000	Circulation strike	–
1947-D Jefferson Nickel	1947	D	37,822,000	Circulation strike	–
1947-S Jefferson Nickel	1947	S	24,720,000	Circulation strike	–
1948 Jefferson Nickel	1948	None	89,348,000	Circulation strike	–
1948-D Jefferson Nickel	1948	D	44,734,000	Circulation strike	–
1948-S Jefferson Nickel	1948	S	11,300,000	Circulation strike	–
1949 Jefferson Nickel	1949	None	60,652,000	Circulation strike	–
1949-D Jefferson Nickel	1949	D	36,498,000	Circulation strike	–
1949-S Jefferson Nickel	1949	S	9,716,000	Circulation strike	–
1950 Jefferson Nickel	1950	None	9,796,000	Circulation strike	–
1950 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1950	None	51,386	Proof	–
1950-D Jefferson Nickel	1950	D	2,630,030	Circulation strike	–
1951 Jefferson Nickel	1951	None	28,552,000	Circulation strike	–
1951 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1951	None	57,500	Proof	–
1951-D Jefferson Nickel	1951	D	20,460,000	Circulation strike	–
1951-S Jefferson Nickel	1951	S	7,776,000	Circulation strike	–
1952 Jefferson Nickel	1952	None	63,988,000	Circulation strike	–
1952 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1952	None	81,980	Proof	–
1952-D Jefferson Nickel	1952	D	30,638,000	Circulation strike	–
1952-S Jefferson Nickel	1952	S	20,572,000	Circulation strike	–
1953 Jefferson Nickel	1953	None	46,644,000	Circulation strike	–
1953 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1953	None	128,800	Proof	–
1953-D Jefferson Nickel	1953	D	59,878,600	Circulation strike	–
1953-S Jefferson Nickel	1953	S	19,210,900	Circulation strike	–
1954 Jefferson Nickel	1954	None	47,684,050	Circulation strike	–
1954 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1954	None	233,300	Proof	–
1954-D Jefferson Nickel	1954	D	117,183,060	Circulation strike	–
1954-S Jefferson Nickel	1954	S	29,384,000	Circulation strike	–
1955 Jefferson Nickel	1955	None	7,888,000	Circulation strike	–
1955 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1955	None	378,200	Proof	–
1955-D Jefferson Nickel	1955	D	74,464,100	Circulation strike	–
1956 Jefferson Nickel	1956	None	35,216,000	Circulation strike	–
1956 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1956	None	669,384	Proof	–
1956-D Jefferson Nickel	1956	D	67,222,940	Circulation strike	–
1957 Jefferson Nickel	1957	None	38,408,000	Circulation strike	–
1957 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1957	None	1,247,952	Proof	–
1957-D Jefferson Nickel	1957	D	136,828,900	Circulation strike	–
1958 Jefferson Nickel	1958	None	17,088,000	Circulation strike	–
1958 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1958	None	875,652	Proof	–
1958-D Jefferson Nickel	1958	D	168,249,120	Circulation strike	–
1959 Jefferson Nickel	1959	None	27,248,000	Circulation strike	–
1959 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1959	None	1,149,291	Proof	–
1959-D Jefferson Nickel	1959	D	160,738,240	Circulation strike	–
1960 Jefferson Nickel	1960	None	55,416,000	Circulation strike	–
1960 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1960	None	1,691,602	Proof	–
1960-D Jefferson Nickel	1960	D	192,582,180	Circulation strike	–
1961 Jefferson Nickel	1961	None	73,640,000	Circulation strike	–
1961 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1961	None	3,028,244	Proof	–
1961-D Jefferson Nickel	1961	D	229,342,760	Circulation strike	–
1962 Jefferson Nickel	1962	None	97,384,000	Circulation strike	–
1962 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1962	None	3,218,019	Proof	–
1962-D Jefferson Nickel	1962	D	280,195,720	Circulation strike	–
1963 Jefferson Nickel	1963	None	175,776,000	Circulation strike	–
1963 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1963	None	3,075,645	Proof	–
1963-D Jefferson Nickel	1963	D	276,829,460	Circulation strike	–
1964 Jefferson Nickel	1964	None	1,024,672,000	Circulation strike	–
1964 Jefferson Nickel Proof	1964	None	3,950,762	Proof	–
1964-D Jefferson Nickel	1964	D	1,787,297,160	Circulation strike	–
1965 Jefferson Nickel	1965	None	136,131,380	Circulation strike	–
1966 Jefferson Nickel	1966	None	156,208,283	Circulation strike	–
1967 Jefferson Nickel	1967	None	107,325,800	Circulation strike	–
1968-D Jefferson Nickel	1968	D	91,227,880	Circulation strike	–
1968-S Jefferson Nickel	1968	S	100,396,004	Circulation strike	–
1969-D Jefferson Nickel	1969	D	202,807,500	Circulation strike	–
1969-S Jefferson Nickel	1969	S	120,165,000	Circulation strike	–
1969-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1969	S	2,934,631	Proof	–
1970-D Jefferson Nickel	1970	D	515,485,380	Circulation strike	–
1970-S Jefferson Nickel	1970	S	241,464,814	Circulation strike	–
1971 Jefferson Nickel	1971	None	106,884,000	Circulation strike	–
1971-D Jefferson Nickel	1971	D	316,144,800	Circulation strike	–
1971-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1971	S	3,220,733	Proof	–
1972 Jefferson Nickel	1972	None	202,036,000	Circulation strike	–
1972-D Jefferson Nickel	1972	D	351,694,600	Circulation strike	–
1972-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1972	S	3,260,996	Proof	–
1973 Jefferson Nickel	1973	None	384,396,000	Circulation strike	–
1973-D Jefferson Nickel	1973	D	261,405,000	Circulation strike	–
1973-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1973	S	2,760,339	Proof	–
1974 Jefferson Nickel	1974	None	601,752,000	Circulation strike	–
1974-D Jefferson Nickel	1974	D	277,373,000	Circulation strike	–
1974-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1974	S	2,612,568	Proof	–
1975 Jefferson Nickel	1975	None	181,772,000	Circulation strike	–
1975-D Jefferson Nickel	1975	D	401,875,300	Circulation strike	–
1975-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1975	S	2,845,450	Proof	–
1976 Jefferson Nickel	1976	None	367,124,000	Circulation strike	–
1976-D Jefferson Nickel	1976	D	563,964,147	Circulation strike	–
1976-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1976	S	4,149,730	Proof	–
1977 Jefferson Nickel	1977	None	585,376,000	Circulation strike	–
1977-D Jefferson Nickel	1977	D	297,313,460	Circulation strike	–
1977-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1977	S	3,251,152	Proof	–
1978 Jefferson Nickel	1978	None	391,308,000	Circulation strike	–
1978-D Jefferson Nickel	1978	D	313,092,780	Circulation strike	–
1978-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1978	S	3,127,781	Proof	–
1979 Jefferson Nickel	1979	None	463,188,000	Circulation strike	–
1979-D Jefferson Nickel	1979	D	325,867,672	Circulation strike	–
1979-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1979	S	3,677,175	Proof	–
1980-P Jefferson Nickel	1980	P	593,004,000	Circulation strike	–
1980-D Jefferson Nickel	1980	D	502,323,448	Circulation strike	–
1980-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1980	S	3,554,806	Proof	–
1981-P Jefferson Nickel	1981	P	657,504,000	Circulation strike	–
1981-D Jefferson Nickel	1981	D	364,801,843	Circulation strike	–
1981-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1981	S	4,063,083	Proof	–
1982-P Jefferson Nickel	1982	P	292,355,000	Circulation strike	–
1982-D Jefferson Nickel	1982	D	373,726,544	Circulation strike	–
1982-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1982	S	3,857,479	Proof	–
1983-P Jefferson Nickel	1983	P	561,615,000	Circulation strike	–
1983-D Jefferson Nickel	1983	D	536,726,276	Circulation strike	–
1983-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1983	S	3,279,126	Proof	–
1984-P Jefferson Nickel	1984	P	746,769,000	Circulation strike	–
1984-D Jefferson Nickel	1984	D	517,675,146	Circulation strike	–
1984-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1984	S	3,065,110	Proof	–
1985-P Jefferson Nickel	1985	P	647,114,962	Circulation strike	–
1985-D Jefferson Nickel	1985	D	459,747,446	Circulation strike	–
1985-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1985	S	3,362,821	Proof	–
1986-P Jefferson Nickel	1986	P	536,883,483	Circulation strike	–
1986-D Jefferson Nickel	1986	D	361,819,140	Circulation strike	–
1986-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1986	S	3,010,497	Proof	–
1987-P Jefferson Nickel	1987	P	371,499,481	Circulation strike	–
1987-D Jefferson Nickel	1987	D	410,590,604	Circulation strike	–
1987-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1987	S	4,227,728	Proof	–
1988-P Jefferson Nickel	1988	P	771,360,000	Circulation strike	–
1988-D Jefferson Nickel	1988	D	663,771,652	Circulation strike	–
1988-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1988	S	3,262,948	Proof	–
1989-P Jefferson Nickel	1989	P	898,812,000	Circulation strike	–
1989-D Jefferson Nickel	1989	D	570,842,474	Circulation strike	–
1989-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1989	S	3,220,194	Proof	–
1990-P Jefferson Nickel	1990	P	661,636,000	Circulation strike	–
1990-D Jefferson Nickel	1990	D	663,938,503	Circulation strike	–
1990-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1990	S	3,299,559	Proof	–
1991-P Jefferson Nickel	1991	P	614,104,000	Circulation strike	–
1991-D Jefferson Nickel	1991	D	436,496,678	Circulation strike	–
1991-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1991	S	2,867,787	Proof	–
1992-P Jefferson Nickel	1992	P	399,552,000	Circulation strike	–
1992-D Jefferson Nickel	1992	D	450,565,113	Circulation strike	–
1992-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1992	S	4,176,560	Proof	–
1993-P Jefferson Nickel	1993	P	412,076,000	Circulation strike	–
1993-D Jefferson Nickel	1993	D	406,084,135	Circulation strike	–
1993-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1993	S	3,394,792	Proof	–
1994-P Jefferson Nickel	1994	P	722,160,000	Circulation strike	–
1994-P Jefferson Nickel Uncirculated	1994	P	167,703	Collector uncirculated	–
1994-D Jefferson Nickel	1994	D	715,762,110	Circulation strike	–
1994-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1994	S	3,269,923	Proof	–
1995-P Jefferson Nickel	1995	P	774,156,000	Circulation strike	–
1995-D Jefferson Nickel	1995	D	888,112,000	Circulation strike	–
1995-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1995	S	2,797,481	Proof	–
1996-P Jefferson Nickel	1996	P	829,332,000	Circulation strike	–
1996-D Jefferson Nickel	1996	D	817,736,000	Circulation strike	–
1996-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1996	S	2,525,625	Proof	–
1997-P Jefferson Nickel	1997	P	470,972,000	Circulation strike	–
1997-P Jefferson Nickel Uncirculated	1997	P	25,000	Collector uncirculated	–
1997-D Jefferson Nickel	1997	D	466,640,000	Circulation strike	–
1997-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1997	S	2,796,678	Proof	–
1998-P Jefferson Nickel	1998	P	688,292,000	Circulation strike	–
1998-D Jefferson Nickel	1998	D	635,380,000	Circulation strike	–
1998-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1998	S	2,086,507	Proof	–
1999-P Jefferson Nickel	1999	P	1,212,000,000	Circulation strike	–
1999-D Jefferson Nickel	1999	D	1,066,720,000	Circulation strike	–
1999-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	1999	S	3,347,966	Proof	–
2000-P Jefferson Nickel	2000	P	846,240,000	Circulation strike	–
2000-D Jefferson Nickel	2000	D	1,509,520,000	Circulation strike	–
2000-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	2000	S	4,047,993	Proof	–
2001-P Jefferson Nickel	2001	P	675,704,000	Circulation strike	–
2001-D Jefferson Nickel	2001	D	627,680,000	Circulation strike	–
2001-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	2001	S	3,184,606	Proof	–
2002-P Jefferson Nickel	2002	P	539,280,000	Circulation strike	–
2002-D Jefferson Nickel	2002	D	691,200,000	Circulation strike	–
2002-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	2002	S	3,211,995	Proof	–
2003-P Jefferson Nickel	2003	P	441,840,000	Circulation strike	–
2003-D Jefferson Nickel	2003	D	383,040,000	Circulation strike	–
2003-S Jefferson Nickel Proof	2003	S	3,298,439	Proof	–

Composition by year

Years	Metal	Weight	Silver
1938–1941	75% copper, 25% nickel	5 g	–
1942–1945	75% copper, 25% nickel	5 g	–
1946–2003	75% copper, 25% nickel	5 g	–

Mint mark location

1938–1941: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.

1942–1945: Large mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse, including a "P" for Philadelphia, the first ever used. A large mint mark means a 35% silver war nickel.

1946–1964: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.

1965–1967: No mint mark. Mint marks were suspended in 1965–1967.

1968–2003: On the obverse, near the date. "P" appears from 1980.

Grading tips

The steps of Monticello are the key: coins with 5 or 6 full steps (5FS / 6FS) sell for large premiums. On the obverse, check Jefferson's cheekbone and hair.

Frequently asked questions

What is the rarest Jefferson Nickel?

By mintage, the scarcest regular circulation issue is the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel with 2,630,030 struck, followed by the 1939-D Jefferson Nickel (3,514,000). Survival rates and condition also matter: some higher-mintage dates are scarce in top grades.

Are Jefferson Nickels silver?

1938–1941: 75% copper, 25% nickel; 1942–1945: 75% copper, 25% nickel; 1946–2003: 75% copper, 25% nickel. Some special collector versions were also struck in silver. They are listed separately below.

Where is the mint mark on a Jefferson Nickel?

1938–1941: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.

1942–1945: Large mint mark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse, including a "P" for Philadelphia, the first ever used. A large mint mark means a 35% silver war nickel.

1946–1964: On the reverse, to the right of Monticello.

1965–1967: No mint mark. Mint marks were suspended in 1965–1967.

1968–2003: On the obverse, near the date. "P" appears from 1980.

How many Jefferson Nickels were made?

About 45,662,796,358 for circulation across 146 date and mint combinations, from 1,787,297,160 for the 1964-D Jefferson Nickel down to 2,630,030 for the 1950-D Jefferson Nickel.

Who designed the Jefferson Nickel?

Felix Schlag.

Other nickels

Shield Nickel

1866–1883 · 19 issues

Liberty Head "V" Nickel

1883–1913 · 34 issues

Buffalo Nickel

1913–1938 · 66 issues

Westward Journey Nickel

2004–2005 · 12 issues

Return to Monticello Nickel

2006–present · 63 issues

Mintages from Wikipedia's US Mint-sourced tables (CC BY-SA 4.0). Specifications from US Mint records. All sources.