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Nickel Values

Nickels were not among the original coins struck by the United States. They were added after the Civil War to introduce base metal coinage and were successful enough to replace the Silver Half Dime. There are several very collectible issues among Nickels, including the famous Buffalo design.

Three Cent Nickels 1865 – 1889

The Three Cent Nickel was designed by Chief Engraver of the US Mint, James B. Longacre and was struck between 1865 and 1889. The shortage of all coins, even base metal ones, during the Civil War, was the impetus for minting Two Cent Pieces and Three Cent Nickels.

Shield Nickels – 1868 – 1883

The Shield Nickel is the first five-cent coin issued by the United States that was not made of silver. It was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the US mint in 1866. Longacre based his design on the reasonably successful Two Cent Piece he also designed in 1864.

Liberty Head Nickels – 1883-1913

The Liberty Head Nickel replaced the Shield Nickel. It was designed by Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber, and minted from 1883-1912. There is a legend associated with this coin, as follows.

All Nickels Values Resources

Jefferson Nickels 1938 to Present

After 25 years of toiling to mint the Buffalo Nickel, the U.S. Mint announced a design contest. The design should honor Thomas Jefferson on the

Buffalo Nickels – 1913 – 1938

Following in the great tradition of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and President Teddy Roosevelt, his successor, President William Howard Taft asked Fraser in 1911 to submit a

Three Cent Nickel

The U.S. Three-cent nickel was minted from 1865 to 1889 and slightly overlapped with the Three-cent Silver piece. The Three-cent Silver piece came about due

Shield Nickel

The first U.S. five-cent nickel was struck starting in 1866, and it has become one of the essential denominations of American coinage since that time.

Liberty Nickel (1883-1912)

The Liberty Head or V nickel succeeded the Shield nickel in 1883 and was a highly circulated and used coin. During the later years of

Jefferson Nickel

The Buffalo nickel was not liked by Mint authorities who dealt with breakage and bad strikes. These coins were hard to strike and were replaced

Modern Jefferson Nickel

Nickels have been struck from a 75% copper, and 25% nickel planchet since their inception, with the exception of the 1942 to 1945 War nickels.

Jefferson Nickels 1938 to Present

After 25 years of toiling to mint the Buffalo Nickel, the U.S. Mint announced a design contest. The design should honor Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, and depict Monticello, his Virginia home, on the reverse. After receiving more than 400 entries, a winner was chosen.

Buffalo Nickels – 1913 – 1938

Following in the great tradition of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and President Teddy Roosevelt, his successor, President William Howard Taft asked Fraser in 1911 to submit a new design for Charles Barber’s Liberty Head Nickel. By 1912, Fraser had submitted several designs with a similar theme – a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison on the reverse. The design was much heralded.

Three Cent Nickel

The U.S. Three-cent nickel was minted from 1865 to 1889 and slightly overlapped with the Three-cent Silver piece. The Three-cent Silver piece came about due to the decrease in postage rates, which dropped from five cents to three cents.

Shield Nickel

The first U.S. five-cent nickel was struck starting in 1866, and it has become one of the essential denominations of American coinage since that time. Base metal coins were not that common at the time but nickel changed that.

Liberty Nickel (1883-1912)

The Liberty Head or V nickel succeeded the Shield nickel in 1883 and was a highly circulated and used coin. During the later years of the Shield nickel and into the Liberty Head’s era, the penny arcade, slot machine and nickelodeon became popular and this five-cent piece was heavily used.

Jefferson Nickel

The Buffalo nickel was not liked by Mint authorities who dealt with breakage and bad strikes. These coins were hard to strike and were replaced by Jefferson after the 25-year-period.

Modern Jefferson Nickel

Nickels have been struck from a 75% copper, and 25% nickel planchet since their inception, with the exception of the 1942 to 1945 War nickels.

Jefferson Nickels 1938 to Present

After 25 years of toiling to mint the Buffalo Nickel, the U.S. Mint announced a design contest. The design should honor Thomas Jefferson on the

Buffalo Nickels – 1913 – 1938

Following in the great tradition of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and President Teddy Roosevelt, his successor, President William Howard Taft asked Fraser in 1911 to submit a

Three Cent Nickel

The U.S. Three-cent nickel was minted from 1865 to 1889 and slightly overlapped with the Three-cent Silver piece. The Three-cent Silver piece came about due

Shield Nickel

The first U.S. five-cent nickel was struck starting in 1866, and it has become one of the essential denominations of American coinage since that time.

Liberty Nickel (1883-1912)

The Liberty Head or V nickel succeeded the Shield nickel in 1883 and was a highly circulated and used coin. During the later years of

Jefferson Nickel

The Buffalo nickel was not liked by Mint authorities who dealt with breakage and bad strikes. These coins were hard to strike and were replaced

Modern Jefferson Nickel

Nickels have been struck from a 75% copper, and 25% nickel planchet since their inception, with the exception of the 1942 to 1945 War nickels.

Jefferson Nickels 1938 to Present

Buffalo Nickels – 1913 – 1938

Three Cent Nickel

Shield Nickel

Liberty Nickel (1883-1912)

Jefferson Nickel

The Buffalo nickel was not liked by Mint authorities who dealt with breakage and bad strikes. These coins were hard to strike and were replaced by Jefferson after the 25-year-period.