1962 Nickel Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1962 nickel value reflects a coin designed by Felix Schlag, whose artwork won a 1937 competition among 390 artists. His Jefferson portrait and Monticello reverse have remained iconic in American coinage.

Today, 1962 nickel value varies widely by condition and variety. Circulated examples in Good condition average around $0.20. Uncirculated coins show significantly higher values, with MS grade pieces averaging $9.33 for Philadelphia coins and $62.50 for Denver issues.

Proof coins command premiums, with Deep Cameo examples averaging $43.75. The “Full Steps” designation can substantially increase value for well-struck specimens.This guide will explore these key differences.

 

1962 Nickel Value By Variety

Two U.S. Mint facilities produced Jefferson nickels in 1962: Philadelphia and Denver. Several factors determine their value today. These include the mint mark, overall condition, and any special striking characteristics or errors.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money List (1938-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1962 Nickel Worth Money

The chart presents the top ten most valuable 1962 nickels from 2004 to present. The 1962 Full Step graded 67 dominates at $21,150. This represents an exceptional premium over all other entries.

The second position belongs to the 1962-D graded 65 at $3,525. The 1962-D graded 67 follows closely at $2,995. These Denver mint coins form the second value tier.

Two 1962 coins graded 69 appear on the list. One is valued at $1,560 and another at $550. This demonstrates how grade differences significantly impact value.

Denver mint marks appear frequently throughout the rankings. The 1962-D coins span grades 64 through 67. Values for these range from $900 to $3,525.

The lowest entry is a 1962 PR 67 proof coin at $400. Higher numerical grades consistently correlate with greater worth. The Full Step designation creates extraordinary value premiums for collectors.

 

History Of The 1962 Nickel

The 1962 nickel is part of the Jefferson Nickel series. This iconic series first began production in 1938. It replaced the Buffalo nickel, also called the Indian Head nickel.

The coin’s design was created by artist Felix Schlag. Its obverse features a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson. The reverse depicts Monticello, Jefferson’s famous Virginia home. This design was a mainstay of U.S. coinage for decades.

The 1962 nickel is composed of a cupronickel alloy. Its metal content is 75% copper and 25% nickel. This coin contains no silver. The only silver nickels were “war nickels” from 1942 to 1945. By 1962, the mint had long used its standard alloy. The coin’s composition would not change again in the 20th century.

Production in 1962 was split between two mints. The Philadelphia Mint struck over 100.6 million coins. These coins do not have any mint mark. The Denver Mint produced a much larger mintage. It struck over 280.1 million nickels. These coins feature a “D” mint mark on the reverse.

The U.S. Mint also produced Proof nickels in 1962. Philadelphia struck over 3.2 million proof coins. The Mint specially made these for collectors. They sold them in sets.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money

 

Is Your 1962 Nickel Rare?

To accurately determine if your 1962 nickel is rare, its specific mint mark, grade, and attributes must be analyzed. For a detailed evaluation of your coin’s rarity and potential value, use our CoinValueChecker App.

 

Key Features Of The 1962 Nickel

The 1962 Jefferson nickel follows the standard design and specifications set for the series in 1938. Authored by Felix Schlag, its key features include the iconic portrait of Jefferson, the image of Monticello, and a standard cupronickel composition. These elements define its appearance and technical specifications.

The Obverse Of The 1962 Nickel

The obverse features Thomas Jefferson’s left-facing portrait. Felix Schlag based this design on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s famous bust. Jefferson appears in profile wearing period attire.

The word “LIBERTY” arches along the right side. “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears on the left. The date 1962 sits to the right of Jefferson’s portrait. A small five-pointed star separates the date from “LIBERTY.”

Schlag’s initials were not yet present in 1962. The Mint added his “FS” initials below Jefferson’s portrait starting in 1966. The design remained virtually unchanged for decades.

The Reverse Of The 1962 Nickel

The reverse displays a front elevation view of Monticello. This was Jefferson’s Virginia home near Charlottesville. Schlag originally designed a three-quarter view with trees. Officials required him to revise it to a straightforward view.

The building name “MONTICELLO” appears below the structure. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs across the top. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the bottom rim. “FIVE CENTS” appears in smaller letters between them.

The mint mark appears to the right of Monticello. A “D” indicates Denver production. No mint mark means Philadelphia struck the coin. This design emphasized architectural clarity and proportion.

Other Features Of The 1962 Nickel

The 1962 nickel is a standard circulating coin with no silver content. It is made from a cupronickel alloy, consisting of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition gives the coin a standard weight of 5.0 grams and a diameter of 21.21 millimeters. A key identifying feature is its edge. Unlike dimes or quarters, the 1962 nickel has a plain, smooth edge with no reeding.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Nickels Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

1962 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1962 nickel production reached over 377 million coins across all varieties. The Denver Mint dominated production with 280,195,720 pieces. This represents approximately 74% of total mintage. Philadelphia produced 97,384,000 coins without mint marks.

Proof coins saw limited mintage at 3,218,019 pieces. This includes standard proofs plus CAM and DCAM varieties. All three proof categories share the same original mintage number.

Survival rates vary significantly by type. Both business strikes maintain around 80% survival rates. Philadelphia coins survive at 80.0953% while Denver reaches 80.301%. These high percentages reflect widespread circulation and retention.

Proof nickels show much lower survival rates. Standard proofs survive at 49.72% of original mintage. Cameo examples drop to 18.645% survival. Deep Cameo variants are rarest at only 10.0994% survival.

The survival distribution chart visually confirms Denver coins dominate existing populations. They comprise the majority of surviving 1962 nickels today. Philadelphia pieces represent a smaller but still substantial portion.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1962 Nickel Value

Grading a 1962 nickel yourself can be difficult. Professionals look for tiny details, like the fullness of the steps on Monticello, that can change the value from five cents to hundreds of dollars. To simplify this complex evaluation and understand your coin’s grade, use our guided CoinValueChecker App.

 

1962 Nickel Value Guides

This section provides a detailed value guide for the five primary 1962 nickel varieties. A coin’s value is directly tied to which of these categories it belongs to.

Circulating coins (No Mint Mark and D-Mint) are valued differently from collector-grade Proof coins. Furthermore, the special Cameo and Deep Cameo designations carry significant premiums, making them the most valuable of the proof types.

 

1962 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

The 1962 No Mint Mark nickel was the version struck at the main U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia. During this era, Philadelphia did not use a “P” mint mark on nickels, so the absence of a mark is its key identifier.

With a mintage of over 97 million, these coins are very common in circulated condition. However, examples in top-level uncirculated grades with sharp strike details are exceptionally scarce.

The true value of this coin is realized only in these pristine, high-grade examples. This rarity is confirmed by auction results. The record price for a 1962 No Mint Mark nickel was set in 2013. A nearly flawless coin, graded MS67+ and distinguished by a “Full Steps” designation, sold for $21,150.

This auction record chart further demonstrates the high values collectors will pay for the finest-known specimens.

The coin’s market activity, in turn, shows how frequently it is traded among collectors today.

 

1962-D Nickel Value

The 1962-D nickel, struck at the Denver Mint, is identified by its “D” mint mark. This mark is located on the reverse, to the right of Monticello.

This coin is extremely common in circulation. With a mintage of over 280 million, it is the most plentiful 1962 nickel. As a result, circulated examples are generally not valuable.

Value for this coin is found only in top-quality uncirculated specimens. Collectors prioritize strike quality over mintage numbers. The auction record for a 1962-D nickel was $3,525. This was for a coin graded MS65 with the desirable “Full Steps” designation.

The following auction chart illustrates the significant price jump for high-grade examples.

This market activity data reveals the coin’s current trading popularity and volume.

 

1962 Proof Nickel Value

The U.S. Mint did not intend 1962 Proof Nickels for circulation. The Philadelphia Mint struck these coins using highly polished dies and planchets. This process created coins with sharp details and reflective, mirror-like fields. The U.S. Mint sold these special coins directly to collectors in proof sets.

1962 CAM Nickel Value

The 1962 Cameo (CAM) nickel is a special designation given to proof coins. These coins exhibit a frosted, satiny finish on the raised devices, such as Jefferson’s portrait. This light frost creates a distinct visual contrast against the highly reflective, mirror-like background.

Cameo coins are scarcer than standard proofs, as they were struck early in a die’s life. This added rarity translates to higher values, especially in top grades. The auction record for a 1962 Cameo nickel is $550. This price was achieved in 2019 for a superb specimen graded PR69CAM.

The table of recent auction results demonstrates a clear trend: as the certified grade increases, so does the coin’s value.

This market activity chart reveals fluctuating sales volume, showing how collector demand for this coin varies from month to month.

 

1962 DCAM Nickel Value

The Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the rarest and most valued designation for a 1962 proof nickel. It is not a different coin, but a premium quality of the standard proof strike. It describes a coin with an exceptionally strong, frosty white finish on the raised designs. This heavy frost creates a dramatic, black-and-white contrast against the deep, mirror-like fields.

This stunning effect was only achieved on the very first coins struck with new dies.This visual appeal and extreme scarcity make them highly sought-after by top collectors.

The value escalates dramatically in the highest grades. The auction record for a 1962 Deep Cameo nickel is $1,560. This price was set in 2017 for a top-population specimen graded PR69DCAM, just one point shy of perfection.

This auction data illustrates the sharp increase in value for top-grade Deep Cameo specimens.

This market activity data plots the sales frequency, showing the month-to-month changes in collector demand.

Also Read: 22 Rare Nickel Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1962 Nickel Error List

While numismatists have not cataloged major varieties for the 1962 nickel, collectors can still find valuable errors. The minting process creates these mistakes. Collectors highly prize them. This section covers general error types that occur on Jefferson nickels. Collectors may potentially find any of these on a 1962 coin.

1. Doubled Die (DDO or DDR)

A doubled die error occurs when workers make the coin die. If the hub shifts slightly between impressions, it creates a doubled image on the die. That die then transfers this doubling to every coin it strikes.

Collectors look for doubling on the date and mottoes like “IN GOD WE TRUST.” They also check the reverse lettering. Some Jefferson nickel dates have become famous for this error. However, collectors can find minor examples on many years.

2. Off-Center Strike

This dramatic error occurs when the planchet fails to center in the coining press. The planchet (the blank coin) sits off-center. When the dies strike, they impress the image off-center. This leaves a portion of the coin’s surface blank and unstruck.

The value of an off-center strike is based on how much of the design is missing. Collectors often seek examples where the full date and mint mark are still visible.

3. Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

Before 1990, workers punched the mint mark into the die by hand. If the worker did not set the punch correctly the first time, they would strike it again. This created a repunched mint mark. This often resulted in a “Repunched Mint Mark,” or RPM.

Collectors can spot this by looking for a split, overlapping, or secondary “D” mint mark on the reverse, often visible with magnification.

4. Struck on Wrong Planchet

This is a rare and valuable error. It happens when a blank planchet from another denomination, like a dime or a cent, is accidentally fed into the nickel coining press.

Where To Sell Your 1962 Nickel?

Once you’ve assessed your coins’ value, the next question is where to sell them online with ease. I’ve gathered information on the top selling sites, including their features, strengths, and weaknesses.

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

 

1962 Nickel Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1962 Nickel

1. Is a 1962 nickel worth anything?

Most 1962 nickels found in circulation are extremely common and worth only their face value of five cents. Their value is primarily determined by their condition and mint mark. However, some 1962 nickels are worth significant amounts.

Coins in pristine, uncirculated condition, especially those with a “Full Steps” (FS) designation, are exceptionally scarce. For example, one 1962 nickel in a top-level grade sold for $21,150. Special collector-grade proof coins and rare mint errors are also valuable.

2. How much is a 1962 5 cent coin worth?

The value of a 1962 nickel varies dramatically based on condition. The range spans from just five cents to over $21,000. Most circulating coins show little premium. Philadelphia coins (no mint mark) and Denver coins (D mint mark) are worth face value if worn.

However, uncirculated examples command much higher prices. The coin’s value jumps significantly for pristine specimens. The “Full Steps” (FS) designation adds even more value. This designation refers to complete, well-defined steps on Monticello’s reverse.

Auction records demonstrate this premium clearly. A 1962-D with Full Steps sold for $3,525. The top-graded 1962 Philadelphia Full Steps coin achieved $21,150.

Proof coins represent another valuable category. The Mint specially made these for collectors, not circulation. A standard 1962 Proof has reached $400 at auction. The scarcer Cameo (CAM) variety achieved $550. The rare Deep Cameo (DCAM) variety holds the record at $1,560.

3. Where is the mint mark on a 1962 nickel?

The mint mark on a 1962 nickel is located on the reverse (back) side of the coin. If the coin has a mint mark, it will be a small “D” for the Denver Mint. You can find this “D” to the right of the Monticello building, next to the steps.

Check for a mint mark on your 1962 nickel. If no mint mark appears in this spot, Philadelphia Mint struck the coin. Philadelphia did not use a “P” mint mark on nickels during this period.