1955 Nickel Coin Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The Jefferson nickel series is among the most famous American coinage you can still find in circulation. The first pieces appeared in 1938 after the US Mint ended the complicated-to-strike Buffalo nickel series.

The 1955 nickel value depends on several factors. Expectedly, the most expensive and collectible are the highest-ranked pieces, particularly those with Full Steps. However, their prices can vary based on demand and market fluctuations.

1955 nickel value Chart
Condition	1955 no mint mark nickel	1955 D nickel	1955 D nickel D over S
MS 60	$2	$2	$42
MS 65	$24	$18	$225
PR 65	$18	/	/

History of the 1955 Jefferson Nickel

The history of American nickels started with the so-called Shield nickel, which appeared in circulation in 1866. The Jefferson nickel minting began in 1938 after the US Mint issued V nickels for three decades and Buffalo nickels for 25 years.

1955 Jefferson nickel Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1955 nickel	7.888.000
Philadelphia	1955 nickel proof	378,200
Denver	1955 D nickel	74,464,100
Total	/	82,730,300

Jefferson nickels are the last in the series and have existed for 85 years in everyday use. The designer Felix Schlag was a talented German immigrant who got $1,000 for his design after winning the official competition. His work was actual until 2005.

These coins have historical significance as the third American coinage in a row with a genuine person instead of a symbolic figure depicted on the obverse. Nowadays, most coins from this series are affordable, making them attractive for numismatists on a budget. 

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

Features of the 1955 Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson nickels were a successful Felix Schlag’s design used by the US Mint from 1938 to 2004. Coins minted in 1955 came from only two mints, unlike most coins minted in previous years that were produced in three mints.

The obverse of the 1955 Jefferson nickel

The nickel obverse is reserved for President Thomas Jefferson’s profile. Behind his back are LIBERTY and the date separated by the star, while the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST is struck in front of his eyes.

The reverse of the 1955 Jefferson nickel

The President’s home, Monticello, occupies the reverse center, while inscriptions are placed above and below it. You can read the Latin motto along the top, while the lower coin half is filled with the mansion’s name, FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

1955 Jefferson nickel Details
Face value	Five cents ($0.05)
Shape	Round
Compound	Cupronickel in 3/4: 1/4 copper and nickel ratio
Coin thickness	0.07677 inches (1.95 mm)
Coin diameter	0.83504 inches (21.2 mm)
Coin weight	0.17637 ounces (5 g)
Edge	Plain

Other features of the 1955 Jefferson nickel

Like all other copper-clad nickels, those minted in 1955 weigh 0.17637 ounces (5 g) and have a diameter of 0.83504 inches (21.2 mm). These five cents are 0.07677 inches (1.95 mm) thick and have a plain edge.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

1955 Jefferson Nickel Grading

Coin grading is easier now than in the past, thanks to a unique method of evaluation based on the Sheldon scale.

Everyone can grade the 1955 Jefferson nickels by following established criteria, but most collectors prefer professionally assessed and certified coins. That is particularly true for highly ranked nickels that can be expensive.

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Jefferson Nickel?

1955 Jefferson Nickel Value Guides

The 1955 Jefferson nickel mintage of 82,730,300 coins is pretty standard for this series. Two mints issued coins with Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, with the fact that the Philadelphia mint produced both regular coins and proofs.

1955 No Mint Mark nickel Value

The Philadelphia mint produced 1955 nickels in a high mintage of 7.888.000 pieces. You can recognize regular coins and those with the Full Step feature, affecting their prices.

The 1955 Jefferson nickels with four or fewer steps in front of the mansion cost about $2 to $18, while those in the highest MS 66 grade can reach $45. Interestingly, the auction record went to the 1955 AU 55 coin offered at Heritage Auctions. One collector bought it for $1,035 in 2010.

Quarters with five or six steps on the reverse are considered pieces with Full Steps. They typically cost more since they look like the initially created design without changes caused by the minting limitations.

Estimated prices for 1955 FS Jefferson nickels depend only on their condition. Therefore, you can get one after setting aside approximately:

• $200 for the MS 64-graded coin
• $550 for the MS 65-graded coin
• $1,700 for the MS 66-graded coin

Despite a high estimated price of $8,500 for the Full Steps nickels ranked MS 67, the auction record exceeded all expectations. One owner sold their specimen for $12,650 in 2007.

1955 proof Jefferson nickel Value

Even though proofs are the best-preserved coins in every set and typically cost the most, this is not the case with any of the 378,200 specimens minted in Philadelphia in 1955. These nickels with beautiful luster and superb characteristics are assessed at $6 (PR 60) to $285 (PR 69).

Only rare coins from this set are more valuable. One collector bought the 1955 PR 69 CAM nickel for $950 in 2022, while another set aside $1,100 to get a coin of the same quality in 2020.

The best-paid proof produced this year is one coin with deep cameo contrast. Its auction record of $4,025 from 2004 is still actual.

1955 D nickel Value

Precisely 74,464,100 nickels came from the mint in Denver in 1955. Their assessed price range depends on the number of steps in front of the Monticello mansion. For instance, it is necessary to count on $0.07 to $2 when buying a circulated coin.

Those in the mint state cost more but have typically reasonable prices. All pieces from MS 60 to MS 65 grades cost up to $18, and only those ranked MS 66 grades are estimated at $90. Still, one coin from this set in MS 66+ ranking sold at $920 on eBay in 2022.

The 1955 D FS nickels are more valuable than poorly struck pieces, and you can expect to pay for one about:

• MS 63-graded coin costs about $600
• MS 64-graded coin costs about $700
• MS 65-graded coin costs about $3,150
• MS 66-graded coin costs about $8,500

The auction record for the best-graded nickel (MS 66) with Full Steps from 2019 is $9,694.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

Rare 1955 Jefferson Nickel Errors List

The 1955 nickel set is well-known for a few famous minting errors. Even though all are collectible nowadays, a few are particularly sought-after, particularly when error coins are of a high grade. In most cases, collectors appreciate their unique appearance and rarity.

D over S

This mint mark variety is typical for 1955 nickels produced in Denver. You can recognize the letter S under the D struck over it. Such coins have a tiny upper part of the S visible above the D mark upper edge.

This error appeared after the San Francisco mint canceled nickel minting, and the one in Denver took over and reused unused reverse dies. Since it was impossible to entirely erase the existing mint mark, the solution was to punch the D over the S directly.

It is a rare example of an intentional error, but such coins are excellent collectibles. These nickels are interesting for numismatists even in circulated conditions when their value ranges from $5 to $36.

Pieces in the mint state typically cost $42 to $225, but nickels with this imperfection in MS 66 grade are estimated at $1,150. However, one 1955 D/S MS 66 nickel sold at $3,738 in 2008, setting a record at Heritage Auctions for this coin type.

Double struck (No Mint mark nickel proof)

Some proof nickels from Philadelphia came with a double-struck error after being hit twice on one side. Their lettering and images show a fascinating doubling effect, making the affecting side slightly out of focus and blurred. You can buy such a coin for about $55 to $60.

Triple struck (No Mint mark nickel proof)

This exciting error appeared on 1955 nickels after their reverse side was triple-struck. You can notice triple lettering on top of each other, but probably only under a coin microscope.

Even though such pieces are assessed at $50, one such CAM nickel error in PR 67 grade sold at $153 at Heritage Auctions in 2016. The 1955 PR 68 tripled die reverse nickel error was even more expensive. One collector purchased it on eBay for $400 in 2021.

Off-center

This error type is pretty common among 1955 nickels. Their value depends on the design percentage remaining off-center, but such a coin is worth only when the date is intact.

Most nickels come with inexpensive 5% off-center error, while the most appreciated among collectors are pieces with 50% design off-center. However, most coins minted this year come with 10% to 20% missing design, and you can buy one for $10 to $50.

Doubled die

When the die with a doubling on the surface strikes the nickel, the result is a coin with a partially or totally doubled design impression. Collectors like these imperfect coins and are prepared to pay $20 and $50 for pieces with doubling in President’s eye (obverse) and/or MONTICELLO and denomination (reverse).

Struck-through

These nickels resulted from the foreign object struck between the die and planchet during minting, leaving its outline on the affected coin’s side. The usual items include grease, piece of cloth, metal shavings, or even staples.

Remember that such a coin is always more appealing and costlier when the nature and origin of the struck object are known. In most cases, you can expect to pay about $100 for this imperfect 1955 nickel.

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

Where to Sell Your 1955 Nickel ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

FAQ about the 1955 Jefferson Nickel

What makes a 1955 Jefferson nickel rare?

The 1955 nickels’ rarity depends on the mint they were produced, their grade and the Full Steps quality. Therefore, you can expect the highest-ranked FS coins to be relatively rare, particularly those minted in Philadelphia. However, they are never scarce, like some pieces minted in earlier years.

Which Jefferson nickels from the 1955 set are the most expensive?

• The 1955 MS 66 Jefferson nickel/Full Steps offered at Bowers & Merena sold at $12,650 in 2007
• The 1955 D MS 66 Jefferson nickel/Full Steps offered at Legend Rare Coin Auctions sold at $9,694 in 2019
• The 1955 PR 69 Jefferson nickel with deep cameo contrast offered at Heritage Auctions sold at $4,025 in 2004
• The 1955 D/S MS 66 Jefferson nickel with D over S error offered at Heritage Auctions sold at $3,738 in 2008
• The 1955 PR 69 Jefferson nickel offered on eBay sold at $1,100 in 2020
• The 1955 AU 55 Jefferson Nickel offered at Heritage Auctions sold at $1,035 in 2010
• The 1955 PR 69 Jefferson nickel with cameo contrast offered on eBay sold at $950 in 2022
• The 1955 D MS 66+ Jefferson nickel offered on eBay sold at $920 in 2022
• The 1955 PR 68 Jefferson nickel with tripled die reverse error offered on eBay sold at $400 in 2021
• The 1955 PR 67 Jefferson nickel with cameo contrast and tripled die reverse error offered at Heritage Auctions sold at $153 in 2016

How much is the No Mint mark 1955 Jefferson nickel worth?

Most 1955 nickels minted in the mint in Philadelphia are affordable nowadays. You can find circulated pieces for a modest $0.07 to $0.25, while even those in uncirculated condition are often worth under $2.

Only better-graded specimens cost $8 to $45, while those with Full Steps are the most precious. Their prices range from $175 to $5,000, according to their appearance and preservation.

What Jefferson nickels are the priciest in the series?

Undoubtedly, the most expensive Jefferson nickel is the one minted in 1954 in San Francisco. One collector paid $35,250 in 2020 for this MS 67-graded coin with Full Steps.

Two coins from Denver with Full Steps share the same high value. The MS 65-graded nickel from 1969 and the one ranked MS 68+ from 1938 were sold at $33,600 at auctions organized in 2021 and 2022.

Besides, two nickels reached $32,900 at auctions, making them the costliest in their categories. Those are the 1964 SP 68 FS SMS nickel from Philadelphia and the 1949 D/S error nickel in MS 67 grade.