1973 Nickel Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

If you’ve found a 1973 nickel in your pocket change or inherited collection, you might be wondering whether it’s worth more than five cents. The answer depends on several important factors.

While most 1973 nickels in circulated condition trade near their face value of $0.08 to $0.26, the 1973 nickel value can climb significantly for well-preserved examples—uncirculated coins typically range from $8.67 to $15.50, and exceptional specimens with sharp architectural details have sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.

This guide walks you through everything you need to evaluate your coin, including how to identify different mint marks, what makes certain 1973 nickels valuable, and which errors to look for that can transform an ordinary nickel into a collectible treasure worth serious money.

 

1973 Nickel Value By Variety

This chart displays the values of 1973 nickels across different mint marks (No Mint Mark, D, and Proof DCAM) and condition grades (Good, Fine, AU, MS, and PR).

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 1973 Nickel Worth Money

The top 10 most valuable 1973 nickels display a price range from $5,550 to $145, reflecting a grade-stratified pricing mechanism.

The top-ranked 1973-S PR70 proof coin at $5,550 stems from the extreme scarcity of flawless specimens—perfect PR70 Deep Cameo examples are genuinely difficult to locate and command significant premiums over PR69DC examples. The second-place standard MS66 at $2,300 and third-place MS67 at $1,528 represent premium grades for circulation strikes.

The ranking structure reveals three pricing factors. The PR70 proof coin tops the list due to its perfect grade standard, yet a standard PR69 proof is valued at only $155, creating a 35-fold price difference from a single grade increment.

For circulation strikes, the MS66-MS67 range occupies core positions, with MS67 representing genuinely scarce territory where fewer than dozens of examples typically exist across Jefferson nickel issues. MS67 combined with Full Steps characteristics can reach over $2,000.

The ranking includes 1973-D MS63 at $810 and lower grades D55 at $216 and D50 at $145 in the top 10, indicating that specific error varieties or special features can override conventional grade-based pricing.

Population data across Jefferson nickels shows that at MS67 Full Steps, examples become genuine rarities with typically five or fewer known specimens.

This certification scarcity enables top-grade specimens to command order-of-magnitude premiums, establishing a stratified pricing system based on grade distribution rather than mintage figures alone.

 

History of the 1973 Nickel

The Jefferson nickel entered production in 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickel after its 25-year run. In 1937, the United States Mint held a design competition, and German émigré Felix Oscar Schlag won against 390 other artists, receiving a $1,000 award.

The Jefferson nickel continued a trend towards featuring actual historical figures on American coinage rather than symbolic representations of Liberty, joining the Lincoln Cent and Washington Quarter already in circulation.

Shortly after its introduction, World War II broke out, and from 1942 through 1945, silver was substituted for nickel in the alloy because nickel was more valuable to the war effort than silver. In 1946, the coinage of regular nickels using the usual alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel resumed.

Two significant changes occurred before 1973: In 1966, the designer’s initials “FS” were added to the obverse following advocacy by Coin World and columnist Mort Reed.

In 1968, the mintmark position moved from the reverse to the front of the coin, appearing below the date on all branch mint issues. The coin belongs to what graders classify as the “original design modern Jefferson nickel” sub-series, which began in 1965 when silver was removed from several denominations.

By 1973, all nickels for circulation were being minted at Philadelphia and Denver, as San Francisco had halted production of business strike nickels in 1971, though it continued producing proof coins.

Philadelphia produced 384,396,000 coins without a mint mark, Denver minted 261,405,000 with a “D” mark, and San Francisco struck approximately 2.76 million proof coins with an “S” mark for collectors.

Together, the three mints produced approximately 648 million Jefferson nickels in 1973. The massive production numbers reflected the ongoing demand for circulating coinage in the American economy. These coins passed through millions of hands during a transformative era, circulating during the end of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.

The basic Jefferson nickel design remained largely unchanged from 1938 until 2003. From 2004 through 2005, special bicentennial issues honored the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The 1973 nickel stands as part of one of the longest-running continuous designs in American coinage history, representing the final decades of the original Schlag design that defined American five-cent pieces for 66 years.

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

 

Is your 1973 Nickel rare?

The 1973 nickels rank as common coins in the Jefferson series—use the CoinValueChecker App to determine your coin’s exact value based on condition and mint mark.

 

Key Features of the 1973 Nickel

The 1973 Nickel is part of the Jefferson nickel series designed by Felix Schlag. These coins feature the standard composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, maintaining the traditional alloy that had been restored after World War II ended, when the wartime silver composition (56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese) was discontinued in 1946.

The 1973 nickel represents a coin from the middle period of the original Jefferson design era, produced during a time when the series had been in continuous production for 35 years without major design changes.

The Obverse of the 1973 Nickel

The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson showing his head and shoulders, with the President wearing an enigmatic smile. The inscriptions include “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the left side in front of the portrait, “LIBERTY” curving along the right rim, and the date “1973” positioned below the portrait.

The designer’s initials “FS” for Felix Schlag appear just below Jefferson’s shoulder near the rim, a feature added in 1966. The mint mark is positioned on the obverse below the date, where it has been located since 1968—no mark for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco proof coins.

The Reverse of the 1973 Nickel

The reverse displays Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia estate, shown in frontal perspective. The inscriptions include “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above the building, while “MONTICELLO,” “FIVE CENTS,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” appear below.

Coins displaying “Full Steps”—where at least five steps leading to Monticello’s entrance remain sharply defined and clearly visible—are highly prized and command premium values. Examples with the Full Steps designation become scarce at MS66 grade and are rare in MS67 or higher.

Other Features of the 1973 Nickel

The coin measures 21.20 millimeters in diameter, weighs 5.00 grams, and features a plain smooth edge. Production included 384,396,000 pieces from Philadelphia, 261,405,000 from Denver, and approximately 2,760,339 proofs from San Francisco.

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

 

1973 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1973 Jefferson nickel production demonstrates the typical distribution pattern among the three U.S. Mint facilities during this era.

Philadelphia led production with 384,396,000 coins struck without a mint mark, followed by Denver’s output of 261,405,000 pieces bearing the “D” designation, while San Francisco produced 2,760,339 proof specimens marked with an “S”.

The combined mintage of approximately 648 million nickels reflects the robust demand for circulating coinage during the early 1970s.

Survival rate data remains unknown for both Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes, as these coins entered general circulation where tracking becomes impractical.

Business strike coins typically show attrition rates exceeding 50% across all mints due to heavy circulation, with countless specimens lost, damaged, or worn beyond collectible condition over the past five decades.

In stark contrast, proof coins from San Francisco demonstrate a remarkably high survival rate, with approximately 2,235,874 pieces still in existence—representing an 81% survival rate.

This high preservation rate reflects their collectible nature and protective storage by numismatists, as proof coins were never intended for circulation and were specially made with enhanced finishes for collectors.

The survival distribution chart illustrates this dramatic disparity, showing that documented surviving specimens are overwhelmingly dominated by the San Francisco proof coins, while the fate of hundreds of millions of circulation strikes remains undocumented in the numismatic record.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1973 Nicke Value

Determining your 1973 nickel’s value follows a systematic process of identifying date and mint mark combination, variety, and importantly condition.

Start by locating the mint mark on the obverse below the date, near the ribbon tying Jefferson’s braid—no mark indicates Philadelphia, “D” means Denver, and “S” denotes San Francisco proof coins. Next, assess the coin’s condition by examining wear on high points like Jefferson’s cheekbone and Monticello’s steps, as less wear translates to higher value.

The most valuable specimens display “Full Steps” designation, where five or six steps leading to Monticello’s entrance remain sharply defined without merging, significantly boosting worth.

Mint State examples must show total absence of wear with complete luster coverage—bright surfaces with minimal marks indicate premium “gem” quality that collectors actively seek.

Also look closely for minting errors such as doubled lettering, repunched mint marks, or off-center strikes, which can dramatically increase value from face value to hundreds of dollars.

Understanding exactly what you possess is vital, and the CoinValueChecker App simplifies this process by instantly identifying your coin type, mint mark, and estimated value just by snapping a photo.

 

1973 Nicke Value Guides

• 1973 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1973-D (Denver)
• 1973-S Proof DCDM (San Francisco)

The 1973 Jefferson nickel presents three distinct collecting opportunities across its varieties.

While Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes remain abundant and affordable in typical grades, their value escalates dramatically for pristine specimens displaying Full Steps designation. San Francisco proof coins, struck exclusively for collectors with mirror-like fields and frosted designs, command premiums in Deep Cameo finish.

Most circulated examples trade near face value, but uncirculated specimens in MS66 or higher grades become increasingly scarce and valuable.

 

1973 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

The 1973 Philadelphia nickel was produced during a period when mint set prices increased to $6.00, contributing to a sales drop-off of nearly one million sets.

Coins in these sets were pulled from regular production runs, resulting in widely varying quality. The coin’s collecting significance emerged during the 1970s when “Full Steps collecting” transformed the Jefferson nickel series into a specialized challenge focused on strike quality.

The Philadelphia Mint produced 384,396,000 pieces. These nickels are common through MS65, even with Full Steps designation, but become difficult to find in MS66 condition and higher.

Circulated examples trade at $0.10 to $0.20. Uncirculated values range from $0.50 to $4-5 depending on grade, with the rarest examples reaching several hundred dollars. Auction records include $300 for standard specimens and $1,528 for an MS67 Full Steps example in 2020. An MS66 specimen achieved $2,300 in 2010.

The copper-nickel composition shows contact marks readily, making pristine surfaces scarce at higher grades. Registry set builders seek these coins for their affordability at lower grades and significant challenge at premium levels, where conditional rarity drives value.

Historical auction results provide valuable insight into the market performance of these coins over time, showing consistent collector interest in top-tier examples.

Market activity for 1973 Philadelphia nickels remains steady, with regular transactions occurring across all grade levels as collectors continue building comprehensive Jefferson nickel sets.

 

1973-D Nickel Value

The 1973-D nickel’s primary collectible feature is “Full Steps” – the complete definition of all six steps on the Monticello building’s reverse. The copper-nickel alloy composition and extended die usage at the mint resulted in weak strikes, making coins with clear step separation uncommon.

Regarding grade distribution, the 1973-D nickel becomes scarce at MS66 and rare at MS67, with fewer than ten examples known at the highest grade. The Denver Mint produced 277 million pieces, but most entered circulation. High-grade uncirculated specimens represent a small fraction of the original mintage.

Value ranges from face value for circulated pieces to several hundred dollars for top-grade examples. Uncirculated coins typically trade between a few dollars and $50-100, while MS67 specimens with Full Steps command higher prices.

An MS63 Full Steps example sold for $810 in June 2024. The coin offers an accessible starting point for collectors, with sufficient grade and feature variation to maintain collecting interest.

The auction record chart tracks historical price data across different grades and dates.

Market activity data shows current collector demand and transaction frequency for this issue.

 

1973-S Proof DCAM Nickel Value

The 1973-S Proof nickel’s defining characteristic is the Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation, which requires strong contrast between heavily frosted devices and mirror-like fields.

The San Francisco Mint produced well-struck specimens, with most examples grading at PR68 and PR69 Deep Cameo. This consistent quality resulted from specialized proof production techniques and fresh dies used exclusively for collector coins rather than circulation strikes.

The mintage of 2,760,339 pieces represents typical proof production for the early 1970s. While this quantity is substantial, the distribution across grade levels creates distinct rarity tiers.

PR69 DCAM examples are readily available, reflecting the mint’s improved striking capabilities during this period. However, PR70 Deep Cameo specimens are genuinely difficult to locate and command significant premiums over PR69DC examples.

The grade structure directly impacts value. Standard proof examples without the DCAM designation trade at modest levels, while PR69 DCAM coins remain accessible to most collectors. The rarity concentration occurs at the PR70 DCAM level, where flawless surface preservation and maximum contrast converge.

The auction record stands at $5,550 for a PR70DCAM example sold in June 2018. Lower grades from PR65 to PR68 DCAM typically range from $5 to $25, demonstrating the sharp value increase at the top grade.

For collectors entering the proof Jefferson nickel series, the 1973-S DCAM offers balanced accessibility and quality. The abundant PR69 DCAM population provides affordable options, while PR70 DCAM examples present a challenging pursuit for advanced collectors.

The auction record chart provides historical pricing data across all proof grades and cameo designations.

Market activity metrics indicate current trading volume and collector interest levels for this issue.

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

 

Rare 1973 Nickel Error List

With over 648 million 1973 nickels produced across three mints, manufacturing errors inevitably occurred during the high-volume production process.

These minting anomalies transform ordinary circulation coins into collectible varieties, with values ranging from modest premiums to significant multiples of face value depending on error type and severity.

1. 1973 Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchet errors occur when the metal blank is improperly cut from the metal strip before striking. The resulting coin shows a missing section along its edge, typically curved or straight depending on whether the clip occurred at the edge or middle of the strip.

This type of error happens when blanks are punched from metal sheets in overlapping patterns or when edge material is involved. The size and location of the clip determine value, with larger clips and those affecting design elements commanding higher prices.

Circulated examples with minor clips typically sell for $10-30, while significant clips on uncirculated specimens can reach $50-100 or more.

2. 1973 Off-Center Strike Error

Off-center strikes result when the planchet is not properly positioned between the dies during the striking process. The coin displays a partial design with a blank crescent area opposite the struck portion.

The percentage of off-center striking directly impacts value—minor misalignments of 5-10% attract modest interest, while dramatic 30-50% off-center examples with visible dates are highly collectible. Major off-center strikes represent dramatic minting mistakes that command premium prices from error specialists.

Values for 1973 nickels with visible off-center strikes range from $15 for slight misalignments to $100+ for specimens showing 40% or greater displacement with full date visibility.

3. 1973 Misplaced Mint Mark Error

The 1973-D nickel occasionally displays misplaced mint marks where the “D” appears in abnormal positions, with reduced distance between the date and coin rim. This error occurred when mint workers hand-punched the mint mark onto working dies, sometimes striking the punch in incorrect locations or at unusual angles.

A 1973-D nickel with a low misplaced mint mark graded AU55 sold for $216 in May 2022. The degree of displacement and visibility determines collector interest—dramatic misplacements positioned far from the normal location prove more desirable than minor variations.

Circulated examples typically trade for $10-50, while well-preserved specimens with significant displacement can command $100-300 depending on grade and distinctiveness.

 

Where to Sell Your 1973 Nickel ?

Whether through online auction platforms, local coin dealers, or certified grading services that offer consignment options, selecting the right sales channel depends on your coin’s condition, error type, and your timeline for completing the transaction.

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

 

1973 Nickel Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1973 Nickel

1. How much is a 1973 nickel worth?

Circulated 1973 nickels are worth face value, while uncirculated examples range from $0.50 to $300+ depending on grade and mint mark. Coins with Full Steps designation or significant errors can command substantially higher premiums.

2. What makes a 1973 nickel valuable?

Value factors include uncirculated condition, Full Steps designation showing all six Monticello steps clearly defined, high grades of MS67 or above, and manufacturing errors such as clipped planchets or off-center strikes.