1985 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

The 1985 Jefferson nickel over 1.1 billion coins entered circulation, yet finding premium-quality examples remains remarkably challenging. Standard circulated examples remain worth just $0.08 in Good condition, while exceptional Philadelphia specimens with Full Steps achieve $10.40 in Mint State. Denver’s Full Steps nickels reach even higher at $47.67 MS grade.

While most specimens trade at or near face value, the pursuit of gem-grade pieces with Full Steps designation transforms this common date into a genuine condition rarity commanding significant premiums.

Exploring 1985 nickel value requires recognizing how strike quality, preservation level, and mint mark combine to separate common pocket change from collectible treasures.

 

1985 Nickel Value By Variety

The value of 1985 nickels varies mainly depending on the mint mark, coin condition grade, and special designations such as Full Steps or proof strikes. 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 1985 Nickel Worth Money

The valuation hierarchy of 1985 nickels reveals an interesting pattern: Philadelphia Mint specimens dominate the top three positions entirely, with grades MS-67, MS-62, and MS-66 commanding $9,066, $1,725, and $1,610 respectively.

This Philadelphia mint supremacy extends beyond the podium, accounting for four of the ten most valuable examples, suggesting that collectors perceive P-mint coins from this year as having superior market appeal or greater condition rarity.

Denver mint nickels, while present in the rankings, consistently command lower prices at comparable grades, indicating either larger surviving populations in high grades or reduced collector demand.

The inclusion of San Francisco proof coins (PR-70 at $1,528 and PR-68 at $59) provides an interesting contrast, as even perfect proof specimens cannot match the value of exceptional business strikes, reflecting specialized collector preferences within the 1985 nickel market.

 

History of The 1985 Nickel

The 1985 Jefferson nickel represents a mature phase in the long-running series that began in 1938, carrying forward Felix Schlag’s iconic design that had honored America’s third president for nearly five decades. By 1985, this five-cent piece had become deeply embedded in American commerce and collecting culture.

This particular year holds special significance as it fell between two major design refinements. In 1982, the U.S. Mint sharpened the steps on Monticello’s reverse, attempting to improve strike quality. The 1987 modification would further enhance Jefferson’s hair details and Monticello’s architectural features, making well-struck specimens more achievable.

The 1985 nickel maintained the traditional copper-nickel composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, a formula restored after World War II’s emergency silver alloy period. The designer’s initials “FS” appeared below Jefferson’s bust, added in 1966 as tribute to Schlag’s enduring contribution to American coinage.

In the mid-1980s, the full-step collecting movement gained momentum, changing the way numismatists evaluated Jefferson nickels and elevating mint quality to a level of importance equal to traditional rarity.

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

 

Is Your 1985 Nickel Rare?

Don’t guess about your 1985 nickel’s rarity, let our CoinValueChecker App examine carefully to reveal whether you’re holding a common piece or a valuable collector’s gem.

 

Key Features of The 1985 Nickel

The 1985 Jefferson nickel embodies Felix Schlag’s enduring design. This copper-nickel composition coin features distinctive elements on both obverse and reverse, with specifications unchanged since the post-World War II restoration of the traditional alloy.

The Obverse Of The 1985 Nickel

The obverse presents a left-facing profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson, modeled after Jean-Antoine Houdon’s classical 1789 marble bust. Jefferson’s dignified likeness captures his statesmanlike demeanor, rendered with careful attention to period-appropriate attire including his coat and queue hairstyle.

The word “LIBERTY” appears along the right periphery, while the national motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is positioned to the left of Jefferson’s portrait. The date “1985” sits at the lower right, with mint marks—when present—appearing directly below the final digit of the date in horizontal orientation.

Beneath Jefferson’s truncated bust, the tiny initials “FS” honor designer Felix Schlag.

The Reverse Of The 1985 Nickel

Monticello dominates the reverse in a stately elevation view, showcasing Jefferson’s neoclassical Virginia plantation home with architectural precision. The building’s iconic dome, columns, and symmetrical facade create an immediately recognizable American landmark that has become synonymous with the five-cent denomination.

The word “MONTICELLO” appears directly beneath the structure, with “FIVE CENTS” arcing below in smaller letters. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” graces the upper periphery, while “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the lower rim, completing the circular arrangement of inscriptions.

Critical for collectors is the staircase detail between Monticello’s front columns. Well-struck specimens display all six steps as complete, uninterrupted horizontal lines—the “Full Steps” designation that dramatically elevates collector value.

Other Features Of The 1985 Nickel

The 1985 nickel maintains the traditional copper-nickel composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, a formula restored after the wartime silver emergency alloy ended in 1945. This alloy produces the coin’s characteristic silvery appearance while ensuring durability in circulation and compatibility with contemporary vending machines.

Physical specifications include a diameter of 21.2 millimeters, weight of 5.00 grams, and thickness of 1.95 millimeters. The edge remains completely smooth without reeding or inscriptions—a plain design that distinguishes nickels from other denominations.

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

 

1985 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1985 production demonstrates typical mid-1980s output patterns, with Philadelphia leading at 647 million pieces and Denver contributing 459 million circulation strikes. This combined total exceeding 1.1 billion coins reflects strong economic demand during the Reagan-era expansion.

San Francisco operated exclusively in proof mode, producing 3.36 million collector specimens. The “S DCAM” designation indicates Deep Cameo examples featuring mirror-like fields contrasting sharply with frosted design elements, representing the highest quality proof strikes available.

The unknown survival rates present a critical data gap for collectors and researchers. Without documented population figures, determining actual scarcity in premium grades remains speculative. This uncertainty particularly affects valuation for gem-condition specimens, where perceived rarity may differ significantly from actual surviving populations across professional grading services.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1985 Nickel Value

Exploring your 1985 nickel’s worth starts with three quick assessments: identify the mint mark (P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, S for proof), examine surface condition for wear or damage, and check Monticello’s steps for complete definition. Circulated examples typically retain only face value, while uncirculated specimens range from $0.60 to over $100 depending on strike quality and preservation grade.

Skip the guesswork—our CoinValueChecker App provides instant professional valuation using advanced image recognition technology. Simply photograph your 1985 nickel to receive detailed grading analysis, current market values across all condition levels.

 

1985 Nickel Value Guides

Three distinct 1985 nickel varieties offer collectors varying levels of challenge and investment potential. Philadelphia and Denver business strikes trade at face value in circulation but transform into valuable condition rarities with Full Steps designation. San Francisco’s proof specimens provide accessible entry into premium collecting. Each mint facility presents unique characteristics that dramatically impact both collectibility and market value.

1985 Nickel Categories:

• 1985-P Nickel (Philadelphia)
• 1985-D Nickel (Denver)
• 1985-S DCAM  Nickel (San Francisco)

 

1985-P Nickel Value

The 1985-P nickel marks an important milestone in Jefferson nickel history as the sixth year featuring the Philadelphia Mint’s “P” mint mark. This designation first appeared on circulation-strike Jefferson nickels in 1980, permanently ending Philadelphia’s 34-year tradition of producing unmarked coins.

The introduction of the “P” mint mark on nickels represented a historic shift. Philadelphia had only used this mark once before—during World War II (1942-1945) when silver-alloy “war nickels” required special identification. In 1980, this practice became permanent for all Philadelphia-struck Jefferson nickels.

Philadelphia produced 647,114,962 nickels in 1985, representing the largest mintage among all three facilities that year. Despite this enormous production, the 1985-P abundant in circulation but exceptionally scarce in premium grades.

The genuine scarcity emerges with Full Steps designation. MS-67+ Full Steps specimens represent the highest consistently certified grade, with population reports suggesting only seven examples exist in MS-67 Full Steps.

The extraordinary rarity becomes evident at the MS-67+ level, where a single PCGS-certified specimen achieved a remarkable $9,066 at Heritage Auctions in January 2024—the standing auction record for this date-mint combination.

This dramatic premium reflects genuine condition rarity rather than speculation, as most 1985-P specimens show incomplete step definition, weak luster, or contact marks preventing premium certification.

The auction market reveals the varied premiums commanded by higher-grade Philadelphia specimens.

Collector demand for 1985-P nickels remains concentrated in the gem quality segment.

 

1985-D Nickel Value

The 1985-D nickel from Denver represents the second-largest production run for this date, with 459,747,446 pieces struck for circulation. This substantial mintage ensures abundant availability in lower grades, yet the coin presents a compelling challenge for collectors seeking premium quality examples.

Circulated specimens remain at face value, while standard uncirculated pieces command modest premiums of $0.60-$3.50. The 1980s proved particularly difficult for Full Steps designation coins, with strike weakness endemic across this decade’s production. This technical deficiency transforms the 1985-D into a genuine condition rarity at higher grades.

In high uncirculated grades, particularly MS-66 and higher, the 1985-D becomes genuinely scarce. With Full Steps designation, population reports suggest fewer than one hundred examples would in grade MS-66 FS. And 1985-D Full Steps quite possibly around 300 examples exist in total.

Auction records demonstrate the premium commanded by superior examples. Over a 15-year period, 1985-D Full Steps specimens have sold from $6 to $2,750 across grades MS-63 to MS-67. The dramatic price escalation at gem levels reflects the formidable difficulty collectors face in locating Denver specimens with complete architectural definition, strong luster, and minimal surface marks—qualities that elevate this common mintage coin into the realm of desirable numismatic material.

Denver mint specimens have established notable auction benchmarks.

Market activity reflects the ongoing challenge collectors face locating high-grade 1985-D examples with complete architectural definition.

 

1985-S DCAM Nickel Value

The 1985-S proof nickel from San Francisco represents the collector-oriented production for this year, with 3,362,821 pieces struck exclusively for proof sets sold directly to collectors. These specimens showcase specialized striking techniques that create coins far superior to circulation issues.

The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation identifies the most visually striking proof coins, featuring heavily frosted design elements contrasting dramatically against deeply mirrored fields. This cameo effect results from meticulous die preparation and careful striking protocols that San Francisco perfected during the mid-1980s.

Population data reveals the coin’s accessibility across most grades. PCGS has certified 553 examples at the perfect PR-70 level, with an additional 8,148 pieces grading PR-69 DCAM. The substantial PR-69 population reflects both excellent preservation and strong collector demand for high-grade modern proofs.

The auction record stands at $1,528 for a PR-70 DCAM specimen sold through Heritage Auctions in June 2013. Standard PR-69 DCAM examples trade affordably in the $15 range, while perfect PR-70 pieces command premiums reaching $65-$78 based on recent auction results. This pricing structure makes the 1985-S an accessible entry point for collectors building comprehensive proof Jefferson nickel sets.

San Francisco proof specimens demonstrate steady auction performance, with some perfect PR-70 Deep Cameo examples achieving great results.

Market interest in 1985-S proofs remains robust.

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

 

Rare 1985 Nickel Error List

While over 1.1 billion 1985 nickels entered circulation, manufacturing anomalies transformed a small fraction into collectible rarities. These minting errors—ranging from doubled dies to off-center strikes, occurred during the production process when dies, planchets, or striking mechanisms malfunctioned. Understanding these varieties enables collectors to identify potentially valuable specimens hiding in everyday pocket change.

1. Die Clash Errors

Die clashes create ghostly transferred images when obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. Subsequent coins show faint impressions of opposing design elements—Monticello details appearing on the obverse or Jefferson’s profile ghosting onto the reverse.

These errors result from feeding mechanism failures that allow dies to collide directly. The damaged dies continue producing clashed coins until replaced, creating small populations of identifiable varieties.

Most die clash errors add modest premiums of $3-$10 to circulated specimens. Strong, clearly visible clashes showing significant transferred detail can bring $20-$50, particularly when multiple design elements appear prominently on the wrong side.

2. Grease-Filled Die Errors

Grease-filled die errors produce weak, incomplete, or missing design elements when lubricants or debris accumulate in die recesses. Letters, dates, or Monticello details appear filled, flattened, or entirely absent in affected areas.

This common production issue occurs during extended die use when maintenance intervals are exceeded. While not technically errors but rather strike deficiencies, dramatic examples where major design elements disappear attract error collectors.

Values remain minimal for most weak strikes—$1-$5 maximum. Only extreme examples showing nearly complete loss of major design features like Jefferson’s profile or entire words command $10-$25 among specialized error enthusiasts.

3. Off-Center Strikes Errors

A broadstrike occurs when the collar die—the metal ring that constrains the planchet during striking—fails to engage properly, allowing the metal to spread beyond normal dimensions. The resulting coin appears larger in diameter than standard specifications, with a characteristic thin, wavy edge replacing the normal rim.

These errors happen when collar mechanisms malfunction or when planchets are misaligned during feeding. The coin receives full obverse and reverse impressions but lacks the contained dimensions and defined edge of properly struck pieces.

Collectors value broadstrikes for their dramatic, immediately recognizable appearance. Minor broadstrikes showing 5-10% diameter expansion typically sell for $15-$40, while severe examples exceeding 15-20% expansion command $50-$125.

 

Where to Sell Your 1985 Nickel?

Choosing the right selling platform significantly impacts your final return, whether you’re liquidating common circulated nickels or premium gem specimens. For comprehensive marketplace comparisons, fee structures, and expert recommendations to maximize your 1985 nickel’s selling potential.

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

 

1985 Nickel Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about The 1985 Nickel

1. Is the 1985 nickel made of silver?

No, 1985 nickels contain no silver content. They consist of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the standard composition restored after World War II.

The only Jefferson nickels containing silver were wartime issues from 1942-1945, identifiable by a large mint mark positioned above Monticello on the reverse. Regular 1985 nickels maintain the traditional copper-nickel alloy used throughout most of the series.

2. How much is a typical 1985 nickel worth?

Most circulated 1985 nickels remain at face value of five cents. Uncirculated examples typically range from $0.60 to $3.50, depending on preservation quality.

Premium specimens with exceptional strikes can command $10-$100 or more, while gem-grade coins with Full Steps designation reach significantly higher values. Proof specimens from San Francisco generally sell for $2-$5 in standard grades.

3. Are 1985 nickels rare or valuable?

Standard 1985 nickels are common, with over 1.1 billion produced for circulation. The true rarity emerges in gem uncirculated grades, particularly specimens with Full Steps designation.

High-grade examples graded MS-66 or MS-67 with exceptional strikes represent genuine condition rarities despite the massive original mintage. These premium pieces attract serious collectors willing to pay substantial premiums for superior quality.