1981 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

The 1981 nickel value varies significantly across different varieties and conditions, with market prices ranging from $0.08 for common worn examples to over $378 for premium Full Steps specimens in mint state.

Most 1981 nickels from Philadelphia and Denver mints trade at modest prices in circulated grades, but condition makes a dramatic difference—a regular 1981-P nickel worth 26 cents in Fine condition can jump to $5.20 in uncirculated MS grade.

Understanding your coin’s mint mark, strike quality, and preservation is essential to determining its current market worth in today’s collecting landscape.

 

1981 Nickel Value By Variety

Check the table below to see how much your 1981 nickel is worth in different grades. 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 1981 Nickel Worth Money

Philadelphia nickels not only rank at the top but occupy six of the ten positions. The highest-valued coin reaches $5,995 at MS67, more than double the value of most San Francisco proofs. This is primarily because circulation strikes are prone to wear, and high-grade circulation coins may be even fewer in number than top-tier proof coins, making them more scarce.

San Francisco proof nickels follow a more predictable pricing trend. The chart shows both Type 1 and Type 2 versions, with values ranging from $2,990 to $3,525 based on grade. The Type 2 version refers to the clearer “S” mint mark introduced in late 1981. This value difference exists because Type 2 had a short production window that year, resulting in a smaller proportion within the total mintage.

Denver nickels are priced in the middle range, with the MS67 version valued at $2,500. Like the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint primarily produced circulation nickels rather than proof versions, making high-grade specimens relatively scarce. The consistent pattern across all three mints demonstrates that scarcity to a certain degree creates value more than original mintage numbers.

 

History Of The 1981 Nickel

By 1981, the Jefferson nickel had been circulating for over four decades since Felix Schlag’s design debuted in 1938, becoming one of the nation’s most recognizable coins.

This year marked a critical juncture as the U.S. Mint navigated rising metal costs and persistent inflation that had plagued the economy throughout the late 1970s.

In the early 1980s, soaring copper prices prompted discussions about changing the composition of coins across several denominations. The nickel retained its traditional 75% copper and 25% nickel blend in 1981, though discussions about cost-effective alternatives intensified behind closed doors.

The 1981 production year also witnessed a technical refinement when San Francisco introduced the Type 2 mint mark punch late in the year, attempting to improve clarity and consistency in proof coinage. This seemingly minor adjustment would later create a collectible variety that distinguishes 1981 proofs in numismatic circles.

These coins served everyday commerce during Ronald Reagan’s first year in office, quietly documenting an era of economic transition and monetary policy debates that would shape American coinage for decades to come.

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

 

Is Your 1981 Nickel Rare?

Want to know if your 1981 nickel is truly rare? Download the CoinValueChecker App to instantly check your coin’s rarity grade, mint mark scarcity, and collector demand—all in one tap.

 

Key Features Of The 1981 Nickel

This section provides an overview of the physical and design characteristics that define the 1981 Jefferson nickel. Understanding these features helps identify the coin’s authenticity and condition.

The design elements remain consistent with the Jefferson nickel series that began in 1938, featuring the work of designer Felix Schlag.

The Obverse Of The 1981 Nickel

The front of the 1981 nickel displays a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson’s profile extends nearly to the rim at the top, with minimal truncation visible at his shoulder.

The word LIBERTY curves along the right side behind Jefferson’s profile, while the date “1981” appears below it. These two elements are separated by a small five-pointed star. On the left side, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST arcs from Jefferson’s chest upward toward his hairline.

The designer’s initials “FS” appear in tiny letters below the portrait near the rim, added to honor Felix Schlag starting in 1966. The mint mark, when present, sits to the right of the date at the lower portion of the coin.

The Reverse Of The 1981 Nickel

The back of the coin features a front elevation view of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia estate that he designed himself based on Italian Renaissance architectural principles.

The building sits centrally on the coin with remarkable detail, including the iconic dome and columned portico. Above Monticello, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM arcs across the upper rim. The name “MONTICELLO” appears in a straight line directly beneath the building, a placement that was specifically requested by the Mint during the original design process.

Below that, the denomination “FIVE CENTS” curves gently, and the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” follows the bottom rim in a counterclockwise direction.

Other Features Of The 1981 Nickel

The 1981 nickel weighs exactly 5.00 grams and measures 21.20 millimeters in diameter with a thickness of 1.95 millimeters. The coin’s composition consists of 75% copper and 25% nickel, giving it the characteristic silver-white appearance that defines the denomination.

This cupron ickel alloy has been standard since the coin’s introduction in 1938, with the exception of wartime nickels from 1942 to 1945 that contained silver.

The edge remains completely smooth without any reeding or lettering, a design choice that has continued throughout the Jefferson nickel series. This plain edge distinguishes nickels from dimes and quarters, which feature reeded edges.

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

 

1981 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1981 nickel coinage was very large, with a total of over one billion coins. Philadelphia struck over 657 million nickels, nearly double Denver’s output of approximately 364 million pieces. San Francisco produced just over 4 million coins, exclusively in proof format. This distribution reflects the operational structure where Philadelphia and Denver handled circulation needs while San Francisco focused solely on collector products.

There are several reasons for this massive minting of circulating coins. First, the early 1980s saw a vibrant US economy and frequent retail transactions, and the nickel, as a small denomination of five cents, became widely used in daily transactions. Furthermore, high inflation in the 1970s and 1980s, coupled with an increase in small-value transactions, necessitated a greater demand for circulating coins to support economic activity.

This is precisely why the number of coins still in existence is unknown. With hundreds of millions of coins minted and scattered across the country, tracking their extant numbers is nearly impossible. Furthermore, due to poor storage, the quality of many Proof coins has deteriorated, so the number of coins that meet the DCAM standard is unknown.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1981 Nickel Value

Researching 1981 nickel values used to mean hours spent cross-referencing price guides, checking auction records, and trying to determine your coin’s exact grade.

Now there’s a faster solution. The CoinValueChecker App eliminates the guesswork entirely—simply snap a photo of your nickel, and receive instant professional valuations based on current market data.

The app identifies your coin’s mint mark, evaluates its condition, detects Full Steps varieties. No more wondering if that 1981-P is a common strike or a valuable Full Steps specimen—let technology do the heavy lifting while you focus on building your collection.

 

1981 Nickel Value Guides

The 1981 nickel comes in several versions based on where it was minted:

• 1981-P Nickel
• 1981-D Nickel
• 1981-S DCAM Type 1Nickel
• 1981-S DACM Type 2 Nickel

The 1981 Jefferson nickel series includes four distinct versions. Philadelphia and Denver mints produced coins for general circulation, while San Francisco specialized in proof coins made specifically for collectors.

The Type 1 and Type 2 variations differ in their font design details, with Type 2 featuring a clearer “S” mint mark. Business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver had substantial production numbers, while the proof versions were made in more limited quantities. Both condition and variety type play important roles in determining value in today’s collecting market.

 

1981-P Nickel Value

Philadelphia struck 657,504,000 nickels in 1981, flooding the market with what should have been an abundant common date. However, a technical issue during production resulted the obverse received strong strikes, the reverse consistently showed weakness.

This uneven die pressure made it exceptionally difficult to produce coins with fully defined steps on Monticello’s staircase—the critical detail that separates ordinary examples from premium Full Steps specimens.

The value progression tells the story clearly. Standard Mint state 1981-P nickels trade around $5.20, reflecting their common status. Add the Full Steps designation, and the price jumps dramatically to $378—a 70-fold increase for those six complete horizontal lines.

The 1981-P Full Steps ranks among the more challenging Philadelphia issues to find in premium grades, making it a condition rarity that advanced collectors actively pursue. For specialists building high-grade Jefferson nickel sets, this date represents both a significant challenge and a worthwhile investment.

The chart below shows how this coin has performed at major auctions over time.

Recent market activity indicates sustained interest from dedicated Jefferson nickel collectors.

 

1981-D Nickel Value

Denver produced 364,801,843 nickels in 1981, creating an abundant supply that makes circulated and lower-grade examples readily accessible to collectors. Standard uncirculated specimens in MS grade typically sell for around $7.67, offering an affordable entry point for those building Jefferson nickel collections.

However, the value hanges dramatically at the top of the grading scale. The finest certified regular strike example at MS67 commanded $2,500 in 2023 auction—more than 300 times the value of typical mint state coins.

This extraordinary price differential reflects a reality: despite the massive original mintage, extremely few 1981-D nickels survived in pristine condition. Decades of circulation, improper storage, environmental exposure, and careless handling took their toll, leaving high-grade survivors genuinely scarce.

The historical auction chart below tracks pricing trends across various grades over time.

Market activity data reflects ongoing collector interest, particularly in certified Full Steps examples.

 

1981-S DCAM Type 1 Nickel Value

The story of the 1981-S Type 1 nickel is a continuation of the 1979 “S” mint mark saga. In late 1979, the San Francisco Mint, in an effort to resolve the “Filled S” issue, introduced a new, clearer punch (which became known as the 1979 Type 2).

This same punch continued to be used for proof coin production into early 1981. Consequently, the “S” mint mark on the 1981-S Type 1 nickel is, in fact, the same as the 1979-S Type 2 “Clear S.” Its primary characteristics are more rounded serifs and loops that are more oval in shape.

Of the 4,063,083 total proof sets produced in 1981, 80% to 90% used this mint mark. This makes the Type 1 the very common version for the year.

Due to its large mintage, this coin is extremely common in the collecting world. A top-grade PR70 DCAM coin is relatively affordable. For example, in a 2006 auction, a PR70DCAM Type 1 nickel sold for $2,990.

Below is a comprehensive view of how Type 1 specimens have performed across major auction houses over the years.

Market data shows steady demand from proof collectors building complete 1981 sets.

 

1981-S DCAM Type 2 Nickel Value

The 1981-S Type 2 nickel is the true “star” for collectors from that year. Midway through production in 1981, the mint decided to change the “S” mint mark punch yet again. There is speculation that the previous punch (the 1981 Type 1) may have begun to show signs of wear or failure.

It was replaced by a new punch with a distinctly different appearance. This Type 2 mint mark features an “S” with very clear, wide, and “bulbous” serifs, as well as rounder loops. This new punch was only used in late 1981 and was quickly replaced by another new design in 1982.

Because it was used for only a small fraction of the total mintage (estimated at just 10% to 20%), the Type 2 nickel is significantly rarer than the Type 1. This scarcity is directly reflected in its price.

In 2013, a PR70DCAM example sold for $3,525. This price difference makes it one of the primary varieties pursued by collectors of modern proof coins.

The auction performance chart below illustrates how Type 2 values have evolved since the variety was first recognized.

Current market data reflects steady but moderate collector interest in this corrected mint mark variety.

1981-S DCAM Type 2 FS-501 nickel

The 1981-S Type 2 FS-501 Jefferson Nickel is a scarcer mintmark variety of the proof 1981-S nickel. The FS-501 designation comes from the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers’ Guide numbering system, where numbers 501-699 specifically indicate mintmark varieties.

This coin features a much clearer and more defined “S” mintmark, appearing flatter in vertical aspect and slightly wider compared to the Type 1 version. The Type 2 has bulbous serifs (rounded ends) that don’t touch the inside of the “S,” creating a clearer appearance.

The 1981-S Type 2 FS-501 and the 1981-S Type 2 Jefferson Nickel are actually the same coin—FS-501 is simply the official variety attribution number for this Type 2 mintmark variety.

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

 

Rare 1981 Nickel Error List

While millions of 1981 nickels were minted correctly, a fascinating few escaped the U.S. Mint with dramatic mistakes. These “error coins” are the result of failures in the high-speed production process, such as dies breaking or coin blanks feeding incorrectly. For collectors, these errors are not flaws but rare and valuable treasures.

1. Off-Center Strikes

This is a classic and visually striking error. It occurs when the coin blank (planchet) is not properly seated in the press and is struck off-center. This results in a design that is partially missing, with a blank, unstruck crescent-shaped area on the other side.

The value of an off-center strike is typically based on how much of the design is missing and whether the full date and mint mark are still visible.

2. Die Cracks / Cuds

Minting dies operate under immense pressure and can crack or break over time. A simple die crack appears as a raised, jagged line on the coin’s surface (the opposite of a scratch).

A more dramatic error, known as a “die cud,” happens when a piece of the die breaks off entirely. This causes the coin’s metal to flow into the empty space, leaving a raised, blank blob of metal on the finished coin, often along the rim.

3. Clipped Planchets

This error happens before the coin is even struck. Planchets are punched from large metal sheets like cookies. If the sheet does not advance correctly, the punching machine will “clip” a piece from a blank that has already been cut, or it will punch an incomplete blank from the edge of the sheet. This leaves the final coin with a smooth, crescent-shaped piece missing. Multiple clips on the same coin are possible but rarer.

 

Where To Sell Your 1981 Nickel?

Found a valuable 1981 nickel in your collection? Knowing its worth is just the first step. Next, you’ll want to know the best places to sell it. I’ve researched the top online marketplaces where collectors actually buy these coins—complete with each platform’s strengths and weaknesses.

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

 

1981 Nickel Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1981 Nickel      

1.  Are 1981 nickels worth anything?

Most 1981 nickels are worth face value to a few dollars in circulated condition. However, certain varieties and high-grade examples can be quite valuable. Regular 1981-P and 1981-D nickels in typical circulated grades trade for $0.08 to $0.67, while uncirculated specimens range from $5 to $8.

The real value lies in Full Steps varieties—1981-P nickels with sharp step details can reach $378 in top grades. Proof coins from San Francisco, especially the scarcer Type 2 variety, command premiums around $5.33.

The key factors determining value are mint mark, strike quality (particularly Full Steps designation), condition grade, and variety type. If you find a pristine example or a Full Steps coin, it’s worth having it professionally graded.

2. How can I tell if my 1981 nickel is valuable?

Start by identifying the mint mark on the obverse near the date: “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco proof coins. Next, assess the condition—coins with minimal wear, strong luster, and no damage are worth more.

For San Francisco proofs, determine if you have Type 1 (filled S) or Type 2 (clear S) by examining the mint mark shape. Check the reverse for Full Steps on Monticello—if you can see five or six complete, unbroken horizontal lines, you may have a valuable variety.

Look for any errors like off-center strikes or die cracks. Coins in pristine uncirculated condition or with Full Steps designation should be professionally graded. Even common 1981 nickels in exceptional preservation can exceed typical market values substantially.

3. What is the difference between 1981-S Type 1 and Type 2 nickels?

The 1981-S proof nickels come in two distinct varieties based on the mint mark punch used. Type 1 features a “filled S” with partially obscured serifs and narrower loops, representing 80-90% of the total proof production.

Type 2, introduced late in 1981, displays a “clear S” with wider, more bulbous serifs and rounder loops. This newer punch was only used briefly, making Type 2 significantly scarcer at just 10-20% of total mintage.

The rarity difference is reflected in values—Type 2 proofs typically command higher prices than Type 1. Distinguishing between them requires examining the mint mark closely, looking for the clarity and shape of the “S.” Collectors actively seek both varieties to complete their 1981 proof sets.