Top 10 Jefferson Nickel Varieties Worth Cherry-Picking

Beyond Silver: Die Varieties in the Jefferson Series

While war nickels get the most attention from coin roll hunters, the Jefferson nickel series (1938-present) contains numerous die varieties that are consistently overlooked. Here are 10 varieties worth cherry-picking, whether you're searching rolls, estate lots, or dealer junk boxes.

1. 1943/2-P Overdate ($50-100)

A wartime silver nickel with the "3" in the date clearly punched over a "2." This overdate occurred when 1942-dated dies were re-engraved for 1943 production. Look for remnants of the "2" beneath the "3." Both Philadelphia and Denver varieties exist, but the P version is more readily available.

2. 1939 Doubled Die Reverse ($50-100)

Strong doubling visible on "MONTICELLO" and "FIVE CENTS" on the reverse. This is one of the earliest and most dramatic doubled dies in the Jefferson series. Examine the building name carefully under magnification.

3. 1949-D/S Over Mintmark ($20-40)

A Denver mintmark punched over a San Francisco mintmark. Remnants of the "S" are visible beneath the "D." RPMs (Repunched Mintmarks) and OMMs (Over Mintmarks) from this era are relatively common because mintmarks were hand-punched into each working die.

4. 1954-S/D Over Mintmark ($15-30)

Similar to the 1949-D/S but in reverse — an "S" over a "D." This OMM variety is well-documented and collectible.

5. 1955-D/S Over Mintmark ($15-25)

Another clear OMM from the hand-punch era. The remnants of the original mintmark are visible under 5-10x magnification.

6. 1964-D Doubled Die Reverse ($25-50)

The last year of the original Jefferson reverse design (before the 2004-2005 Westward Journey changes). Doubling is visible on "MONTICELLO" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." This is a higher-mintage year, so the variety exists in reasonable quantities.

7. 1997-P Special Strike ($5-15)

The 1997 "Matte Finish" nickel — included in specially packaged sets — has a distinctly different surface texture compared to standard business strikes. While these were sold in sets, individual coins have entered circulation and can be identified by their unusual satin-like appearance.

8. 2005-D "Speared Bison" ($5-25)

A die gouge on the 2005-D Westward Journey "American Bison" reverse creates the appearance of a spear or lance through the bison's body. The most prominent examples are worth $15-25. Multiple die stages exist.

9. 1971-S No-S Proof ($1,000+)

A proof Jefferson nickel missing the San Francisco mintmark. This won't be found in circulation (it's a proof issue), but it can be found in inherited or estate proof sets that haven't been examined closely. Only a few hundred are estimated to exist.

10. Full Steps (FS) Specimens — Any Date ($5-500+)

Not a variety per se, but a designation applied to Jefferson nickels where the steps leading up to Monticello on the reverse are fully struck and clearly defined. Due to the design's high relief in the steps area, most Jeffersons show weak or incomplete steps. A common-date nickel in uncirculated condition with Full Steps can be worth $5-50+, while scarcer dates with FS can reach hundreds of dollars.

Cherry-Picking Strategy

Focus your search on:

• Pre-1965 dates for RPMs and OMMs (hand-punched mintmarks create more varieties)
• 1964 specifically for DDR varieties (high mintage = more surviving examples)
• 2004-2005 Westward Journey for die gouges and distinctive varieties
• Any uncirculated specimen for potential Full Steps designation

Explore Jefferson Nickel varieties in the NumisDex catalog.