1979 Nickel Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1979-D Nickel value ranges from $0.05 face value to $4,500. That record was set by a Grade 67 example sold on eBay in November 2022. Upload a photo of yours below to get a quick value range. Then scroll down to see what recent eBay sales can tell you about what collectors are paying today.

 

1979 Nickel Value By Variety

This chart displays the different varieties of 1979 nickels categorized by mint mark (no mark, D, and S) 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 1979 Nickel Value Worth Money

This chart ranks 1979 Jefferson nickels by grade and mint variation based on auction records from 2004 to present.

The king of the hill is a lone 1979-D MS-67 Full Steps coin that brought $4,500 at auction in November 2022. Per PCGS CoinFacts, it’s the only Denver-mint 1979 nickel ever slabbed at MS-67 with Full Steps. That makes it one of the toughest coins in the entire modern Jefferson series.

The San Francisco proofs tell an interesting story too. Type 2 coins — the ones with the sharper, clearer mint mark — carry much bigger premiums than Type 1. A 1979-S Type 2 PR-70 Deep Cameo (DCAM — frosted devices against mirror-like fields) hit $2,530 at Heritage Auctions in January 2008. Meanwhile, Type 1 PR-70 DCAM examples top out around $80 today.

 

1979 Nickel Value History and Design Origins

The 1979 nickel belongs to the Jefferson nickel series that kicked off in 1938. Felix Schlag beat out 390 artists in a US Mint design competition, pocketing a $1,000 prize. His winning entry put a left-facing Jefferson portrait on the obverse and the Monticello estate on the reverse.

By 1979, this was a pure workhorse coin. No design changes, no special programs — just massive production runs to keep cash registers stocked. Philadelphia cranked out 463,188,000 nickels without mint marks. Denver added another 325,867,672 with the “D” mark.

San Francisco only made proofs for collectors that year — 3,677,175 of them in two varieties based on how sharp the “S” mint mark looked. That had been the arrangement since 1970, when San Francisco stopped making circulation nickels entirely.

Here’s the fun part about 1979 proofs: the Mint switched punches mid-year. The Type 1 “Filled S” — basically a blobby letter used since about 1968 — got replaced by the Type 2 “Clear S” with rounder loops and crisp serifs. The Type 2 accounts for only about 40% of total 1979-S proof production, which is why it carries a premium.

Strike quality on 1979 nickels sits in a transitional zone. These coins fall between the generally mushy strikes of the 1950s–1960s and the sharper work the Mint started producing in the later 1980s. Hub modifications over the years affected how well Monticello’s details transferred to each coin.

If you want to go deep on this series, I’d recommend Bernard Nagengast’s book, The Jefferson Nickel Analyst. It’s the go-to reference for variety collecting and strike quality in the Jefferson series.

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

 

Is Your 1979 Nickel Value Higher Than You Think? Rarity Explained

Use the Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly identify your 1979 nickels, check their rarity rankings within the Jefferson Nickel series, and discover their current market values across different grades and varieties.

Philadelphia and Denver combined to strike nearly 789 million 1979 nickels — one of the most abundant years in the whole Jefferson run. But mintage numbers don’t tell you much. What matters is how many survived in top condition with sharp strikes.

PCGS CoinFacts shows fewer than 100 total 1979 Philadelphia nickels have ever been certified Full Steps. Out of hundreds of millions struck. Only 2 examples have been graded MS-66 Full Steps, with none higher.

Denver is even wilder. Just 19 examples of the 1979-D have earned MS-66 Full Steps, and only one single coin in the world sits at MS-67 Full Steps — the $4,500 piece from 2022. PCGS CoinFacts actually says the 1979-D in Gem condition is scarcer than some Jefferson nickels from the 1930s.

 

1979 Nickel Value Key Features and Specifications

The 1979 Jefferson Nickel weighs 5 grams, measures 21.21 millimeters across, and is 1.95 millimeters thick. The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel — not silver — with a plain, smooth edge.

Quick silver myth-buster: the only Jefferson nickels with silver are the “War Nickels” of 1942–1945 (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese). You can spot those by a large mint mark sitting above Monticello on the reverse. No 1979 nickel has that feature.

Three mints produced 1979 nickels: Philadelphia (no mint mark, 463,188,000 coins), Denver (D mint mark, 325,867,672 coins), and San Francisco (S mint mark, 3,677,175 proof coins only). Look for the mint mark on the obverse, right below the date.

The Obverse of the 1979 Nickel

The obverse shows a left-facing profile of Thomas Jefferson with his hair tied back in a ribbon, all inside a simple border. Look below the shoulder truncation for the designer’s initials “FS” (Felix Schlag) — those were added in 1966 since the original 1938 design left them off.

“IN GOD WE TRUST” runs along the left side. “LIBERTY” sits on the right, separated from “1979” by a five-pointed star.

The Reverse of the 1979 Nickel

Flip it over and you’ll see Monticello, Jefferson’s estate in Albemarle County, Virginia — a building he designed himself, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits centered with a simple rim around it.

“MONTICELLO” appears below the building. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (“Out of many, one”) runs above, and “FIVE CENTS” plus “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” wrap around the bottom.

Other Features of the 1979 Nickel

Full Steps (FS) Designation: Full Steps — abbreviated FS — is a special grading designation from PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). To qualify, a Jefferson nickel needs at least five complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines visible at the base of Monticello’s staircase. Even one tiny bridge or break disqualifies it.

Proof Varieties: The 1979-S proof nickel comes in two types based on the “S” mint mark. Type 1 has a partially filled, blobby S. Type 2 — introduced partway through 1979 — shows a clearly defined S with larger, rounded loops and distinct serifs. The Type 2 is significantly rarer, making up an estimated 40% of total proof mintage.

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

 

1979 Nickel Value Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia led the way with 463,188,000 coins struck without mint marks. Denver followed with 325,867,672 pieces carrying the “D.” That’s nearly 789 million nickels between the two facilities — enough to give roughly three coins to every person in the country at the time.

San Francisco made 3,677,175 proof specimens across both Type 1 and Type 2 varieties. Proofs are struck on polished blanks, hit at least twice for those mirror-like fields, and packaged straight into protective sets. They survive at much higher rates than circulation coins.

For the business strikes, common-date Jefferson nickels probably lose 50% or more of their original mintage over time through wear, loss, and damage. The 1979 issues didn’t attract any special hoarding when they were new, so they went through normal circulation patterns.

Full Steps examples are a completely different kind of rare. The scarcity comes from strike quality, not mintage. PCGS population data backs this up: fewer than 100 Philadelphia coins have been certified FS, and only 2 made it to MS-66 FS.

One thing to watch with 1979-S proofs: the plastic packaging from those proof sets has been known to cause haze and kill the cameo contrast over time. If you’re evaluating a 1979-S proof, check that it still has full Deep Cameo contrast without that telltale cloudy film from decades inside the original holder.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1979 Nickel Value

Start by finding the mint mark below the date on the obverse. No mark means Philadelphia. A “D” means Denver. An “S” means a San Francisco proof.

If you’ve got an S-mint proof, look closely at that letter. Is it blobby and filled in? That’s Type 1. Is it sharp with clean, open loops? Type 2 — and worth more money.

Condition follows the Sheldon Scale, running from 1 (Poor) up to 70 (perfect). Uncirculated coins get MS grades. Proofs get PR grades, and DCAM (Deep Cameo) means the strongest possible contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields.

For circulation strikes, Full Steps is the biggest value driver. Fewer than 100 Philadelphia examples have ever earned FS certification out of 463 million made. That’s a true condition rarity.

Don’t overlook errors either. Off-center strikes, wrong planchet coins, and brockages can turn a five-cent coin into something worth hundreds or thousands. The Coin Identifier and Value App provides instant identification, grade estimation, and value determination through advanced image recognition and comprehensive database integration, eliminating guesswork while delivering professional-level analysis directly from your mobile device.

 

1979 Nickel Value Guides

• 1979 No Mint Mark Nickel (Philadelphia)
• 1979-D Nickel (Denver)
• 1979-S Type 1 Proof DCAM Nickel (San Francisco – Filled S)
• 1979-S Type 2 Proof DCAM Nickel (San Francisco – Clear S)

Four distinct varieties make up the 1979 Jefferson nickel series. Philadelphia and Denver struck nearly 789 million circulation coins between them, while San Francisco produced about 3.68 million proofs.

The San Francisco proofs split into two varieties: Type 1 with a filled, blobby “S” (roughly 60% of production) and the scarcer Type 2 with a crisp, well-defined “S” (about 40%). Each variety has its own rarity profile and price range depending on grade and strike quality.

 

1979 No Mint Mark Nickel Value (Philadelphia)

Here’s a number that should stop you in your tracks: 463 million struck, fewer than 100 ever certified Full Steps. That’s the 1979 Philadelphia nickel in a nutshell.

According to PCGS population data, only 2 examples have been graded MS-66 FS, with none higher. If you find one with complete Monticello step detail, you’re holding something genuinely scarce. Standard non-FS examples are much more forgiving — circulated coins are worth face value, MS-65 trades in the $3–$5 range, and MS-66 runs about $85.

Here’s a fun market story: a 1979 Philadelphia MS-63 sold at Bowers & Merena for $1,898 on July 30, 2003. Today that same grade goes for about $6. More coins got submitted, the speculative bubble popped, and prices normalized. Meanwhile, one certified MS-66 FS specimen sold for $2,115 — showing the huge gap between common MS grades and the ultra-rare Full Steps tier.

This is also the last year Philadelphia struck Jefferson nickels without a mint mark. Starting in 1980, all Philly coins got the “P.”

Historical auction results documented in the chart below illustrate how condition sensitivity drives pricing across the grading spectrum.

Market activity data shows continued collector interest in collectibles.

Market activity score: 40/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 10 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 50 (Jul 2026).

 

1979-D Nickel Value (Denver)

Can a coin struck 325 million times be rarer than one from the 1930s? With the 1979-D, the answer is yes — at least in top grades. PCGS CoinFacts says exactly that about this coin in Gem condition.

Only 19 examples have earned MS-66 Full Steps. Just one single specimen has ever reached MS-67 Full Steps — and that coin brought $4,500 at auction in November 2022. Standard non-FS MS-66 coins are more accessible at around $42, with about thirty certified.

Why so few Full Steps coins from Denver? The presses there produced especially weak detail on Monticello’s steps in 1979. Even coins that look sharp to the naked eye often fail the strict step-definition test for FS certification. You really need a loupe and good lighting to evaluate the steps properly.

In circulated grades, this is a cheap, easy coin to find. But at the gem Full Steps level, it’s a serious challenge that can anchor a registry set.

The auction record chart presented below documents actual transaction prices across the condition spectrum, illustrating the steep value curve between common and exceptional specimens.

Market activity data indicates sustained collector focus on Full Steps varieties and top-tier grades where true scarcity exists.

Market activity score: 50/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 7 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 53 (Aug 2026).

 

1979-S Type 1 Proof DCAM Nickel Value (Filled S)

Think you’ve got a valuable proof? Check the “S” first. If the loops look filled in and blobby, you’ve got a Type 1 — the more common of the two 1979-S varieties, making up about 60% of production.

These were struck on polished blanks, hit at least twice for those mirror fields and frosty devices. The “Filled S” look came from a worn punch that had been in service since about 1968. The Mint finally replaced it mid-year with a sharper version.

DCAM — Deep Cameo — means you’re looking at the strongest contrast between frosty white design elements and deeply mirrored fields. San Francisco achieved this through laser frosting technology that replaced older acid-wash methods around 1971.

Prices reflect the large certified population. PR-70 DCAM runs about $80 with over 350 graded. PR-69 DCAM trades around $15 with populations over 10,000. That PR-70 price is way down from a $1,763 peak in 2013 — more coins got submitted and the speculative premium evaporated.

The auction record chart below documents realized prices across different proof grades, illustrating how condition and population levels influence market performance.

Market activity data demonstrates steady collector interest with consistent monthly trading volumes throughout the period.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 3 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1979-S Type 2 Proof DCAM Nickel Value (Clear S)

If you’re cherrypicking 1979 proof sets, this is the coin you’re hunting. The Type 2 “Clear S” has rounded center loops and sharp serifs — night and day compared to the blobby Type 1. The Mint redesigned the punch mid-year, and the Type 2 only accounts for about 40% of total 1979-S proof mintage.

The new punch was introduced on lower denominations first, which limited how many Type 2 nickels got made. That shorter production window is why this variety consistently commands a premium over Type 1 at every grade level.

PR-70 DCAM examples trade around $250–$300 today. The all-time record is $2,530, set at Heritage Auctions in January 2008. PR-69 DCAM pieces go for about $15 with over 7,500 slabbed.

Good luck finding an unbroken original proof set with Type 2 coins. Since the 1980s, collectors have been cracking those sets apart to submit individual Type 2 coins for grading. Intact sets with Type 2 nickels get harder to find every year.

The coin’s Auction Record Chart provides a clear view of how prices have evolved from early peaks to current stable levels.

Market Activity data shows the trading frequency and collector interest this variety continues to generate in today’s marketplace.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 3 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

1979-S Type 2 FS-501 Proof DCAM Nickel Value

The FS-501 designation comes from the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties. It formally catalogs the Clear-S versus Filled-S distinction from 1979 proof production, giving collectors a standard reference number in major numismatic databases.

Pricing follows a predictable curve. Lower grades (PR-1 to PR-40) barely carry any premium — damaged or circulated proofs just don’t attract serious buyers. Things pick up around PR-55–PR-60, where preservation quality starts mattering.

We think this variety’s main appeal is organizational. The FS-501 attribution gives set-builders a clean catalog reference when assembling comprehensive variety collections across the Jefferson proof nickel series.

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

 

Rare 1979 Nickel Value Error List

Making a coin involves multiple steps where things can go wrong. Blanks get punched from metal strips, heated in an annealing furnace, washed, dried, then struck. A mistake at any stage can create an error coin that looks nothing like a standard strike.

Modern quality control catches most problems, but some errors still escape into circulation. These range from mint mark oddities and planchet defects to dramatic striking mishaps — and they can turn a five-cent coin into something worth hundreds or thousands.

1. 1979-S Filled-S Nickel

On some San Francisco proofs, the interior loops of the “S” mint mark came out clogged or filled, giving it a blobby look instead of a crisp letter. The worn punch had been in use since the late 1960s.

The Mint fixed this mid-year by introducing the sharper Type 2 Clear-S. The Filled-S coin is cataloged as Type 1 and as FS-501 in the Cherrypickers’ Guide. PR-70 DCAM examples trade around $80 today — way down from a $1,763 peak in 2013 as more coins got graded. To check yours, look at the “S” on the obverse: the interior spaces should appear partially or fully closed rather than cleanly open.

2. 1979 Triple Clipped Planchet Nickel

Three separate clips on one coin. That’s rare even among clipped planchet errors. Curved clips happen when blanking dies overlap previously punched holes in the metal strip. Straight clips come from punches at the strip’s edge.

For a triple clip, the feeding mechanism has to malfunction three separate times during blank production. That’s a compounded failure that almost never happens. Values depend on clip size, location, and how much design detail remains visible.

3. 1979 Off-Center Strike Nickel

When a planchet doesn’t seat properly in the collar, the dies stamp the design off-center. You get missing design on one side and blank metal showing on the other.

The percentage tells you how much surface stayed blank — a 60% off-center strike means 60% of the coin is bare metal. Coins that still show a full, readable date are worth significantly more than those with a partial or missing date. Values for 1979 off-center nickels range from $46 in MS-64 grade to $62 in MS-66 for moderate misalignments. Dramatic examples at 50% or more off-center bring higher premiums.

4. 1979 Clipped Planchet Nickel

When the metal strip doesn’t feed properly into the blanking press, you get a coin with a bite taken out of it. Three types exist: curved clips from overlapping punches, straight clips from strip-end punches, and ragged clips from defective strip areas.

Missing 10–25% of its metal usually qualifies a coin as a clipped planchet. Here’s how you verify it’s genuine: look for the Blakesley Effect — a rim weakness or flattening exactly 180° opposite the clip. Also weigh the coin. A real clip will come in under the standard 5.00 grams.

5. 1979 Nickel Brockage Error

This is one of the most eye-catching errors in all of American coinage. It happens when an already-struck coin sticks to a die and acts as a die itself, pressing its design — reversed and incuse (pushed inward) — into the next blank that enters the press.

On 1979 Jefferson nickels, the best brockages show a nearly complete mirror-image of Jefferson’s portrait stamped into what should be the reverse. Major brockage errors from the Jefferson series can top $10,000, depending on how complete and clear the impressed image is.

6. 1979 Wrong Planchet (Off-Metal) Nickel Error

Wrong planchet errors happen when a blank meant for one denomination sneaks into the production line for another. Collectors have found 1979 nickels struck on Lincoln cent planchets — copper instead of the standard 75% copper / 25% nickel alloy.

These off-metal nickels look distinctly reddish or bronze. They weigh about 3.1 grams instead of the normal 5.0 grams — grab a digital scale and you’ll know immediately. A confirmed 1979 nickel on a cent planchet is worth $500 or more depending on condition and design completeness. Get it certified by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling to confirm authenticity.

 

Where to Sell Your 1979 Nickel Value Coins

Whether you choose online auction platforms, coin dealers, or professional grading services, researching current market values and comparing offers from multiple buyers will help you get the best price for your 1979 nickel, especially if it contains rare errors or is in exceptional condition.

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

 

1979 Nickel Value Market Trend

Market interest: 4,730 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

FAQ About the 1979 Nickel Value

1. What is the 1979 nickel value for a regular circulated coin?

Face value — $0.05. The melt value is about $0.06, so even the metal barely beats face. You need an uncirculated (MS grade) or error coin to see any real premium.

2. What is the difference between the 1979-S Type 1 and Type 2 proof nickels?

Type 1 has a partially filled, blobby “S” from a worn die punch. Type 2 has a sharp, clearly defined “S” with distinct serifs, introduced through a mid-year change. Type 1 sells for around $2–$3 in lower proof grades and up to $80 in PR-70 DCAM. Type 2 — only about 40% of production — commands $5–$15 in lower grades and $250–$300 in PR-70 DCAM.

3. What does Full Steps (FS) mean on a 1979 Jefferson nickel?

Full Steps — abbreviated FS — means PCGS or NGC certified that at least five complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines are visible at the base of Monticello’s steps on the reverse. One tiny bridge or weak spot disqualifies it. For 1979, FS coins are extraordinarily rare: fewer than 100 total Philadelphia examples have ever been certified FS, and only one 1979-D has ever reached MS-67 FS.

4. How much is the 1979-D MS-67 Full Steps nickel worth?

The sole known example sold for $4,500 at auction in November 2022. No other 1979-D has been graded higher. PCGS CoinFacts notes that in Gem condition, the 1979-D is scarcer than some Jefferson nickels from the 1930s. At MS-66 FS, only 19 examples are known, trading around $135 each.

5. Does a 1979 nickel contain any silver?

No. Zero silver. It’s 75% copper and 25% nickel — the same alloy used since 1938 (except during WWII). The only silver Jefferson nickels are the 1942–1945 “War Nickels” with 35% silver, identifiable by a large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse. No 1979 nickel has that feature.

6. What is a brockage error on a 1979 nickel and how much is it worth?

A brockage happens when an already-struck coin sticks to a die and impresses its design — reversed and incuse — into the next planchet. The most dramatic 1979 examples show a near-complete mirror-image of Jefferson on the reverse. Major brockages can exceed $10,000 depending on completeness and visual impact.

7. What is a 1979 nickel struck on a cent planchet worth?

$500 or more. These wrong planchet errors weigh about 3.1 grams instead of 5.0 grams and show a reddish or bronze color from the copper cent planchet. PCGS or NGC certification is strongly recommended to confirm authenticity before buying or selling.

8. Why are late-1970s 1979-S proof coins sometimes hazy or dull-looking?

Blame the packaging. The plastic holders used in 1979 proof sets have been documented to cause haze, spotting, and reduced cameo contrast over decades of storage. Many 1979-S proofs that sat in original government packaging show this degradation. Look for fully deep cameo (DCAM) examples that maintained complete contrast, and consider buying only slabbed coins to avoid hidden haze issues.

9. What reference books do experts use to study 1979 Jefferson nickels?

Bernard Nagengast’s The Jefferson Nickel Analyst is the top specialist reference, covering strike quality, varieties, and market analysis. The Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties catalogs the 1979-S FS-501 Type 1/Type 2 distinction. PCGS CoinFacts offers free online population data, auction records, and condition census info for all 1979 varieties.

10. Should I submit my 1979 nickel to PCGS or NGC for grading?

Only if you think it’s worth $200 or more. Good candidates: uncirculated coins that look MS-65 or better, coins with visibly complete Monticello steps that might qualify for Full Steps, confirmed errors (off-center, wrong planchet, brockage), and 1979-S Type 2 proofs in high grade. For everything else, a free assessment through the Coin Identifier and Value App is a smart first step before spending on grading fees.