1987 Nickel Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

The 1987 nickel is one of the most accessible Jefferson nickels for collectors at every level. Most circulated examples are worth only face value—five cents—but uncirculated specimens can command anywhere from 10 cents to several thousand dollars depending on condition, mint mark, and strike quality.

What makes 1987 stand out in the Jefferson nickel series is a deliberate production upgrade. The U.S. Mint strengthened its working dies that year, producing sharper hair detail on Jefferson’s portrait and crisper architectural lines on Monticello’s reverse. The result was a noticeably higher percentage of Full Steps (FS) coins—those showing five or six complete, unbroken steps at the base of Monticello—compared to most earlier dates.

Whether you have a 1987-P from Philadelphia, a 1987-D from Denver, or the proof-only 1987-S from San Francisco, this guide will help you understand exactly what your coin could be worth today.

 

1987 Nickel Value By Variety

The 1987 nickel was struck at three facilities—Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). Each variety carries distinct characteristics and values based on condition and strike quality. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump straight to the Value Guides section below.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1987 Nickel Worth Money

The value hierarchy for 1987 nickels follows clear numismatic logic. Proof coins lead the market: the 1987-S PR 70 Deep Cameo (DCAM) holds the all-time auction record at $3,220, realized through Heritage Auctions in November 2007.

The Full Steps (FS) designation—meaning all five or six architectural steps at Monticello’s base are sharply defined with no breaks—creates dramatic price gaps. High-grade Full Steps examples graded MS-67 to MS-68 sell for $1,800 to $2,291, while standard strikes at the same grade levels bring only $138 to $329.

That price gap isn’t an accident. PCGS CoinFacts notes that the 1987-D Jefferson nickel is “scarce in MS-66 Full Steps condition” and “rare in MS-67 Full Steps, despite having a very large mintage.” High production numbers don’t protect a coin from grade rarity at the very top.

 

History of the 1987 Nickel

The Jefferson nickel series began in 1938 when the U.S. Mint held an open design competition to replace the long-running Buffalo nickel. German-born artist Felix Oscar Schlag—who had immigrated to the United States in 1929 and become a citizen just nine years later—won the contest with entry #340 and collected the $1,000 prize.

Schlag’s original reverse concept was an innovative three-quarters perspective of Monticello, but the Treasury Department rejected it. Schlag revised the design at no additional compensation, producing the flat frontal view of Monticello that collectors recognize today. Notably, his initials “FS” were not added to the obverse design until 1966, nearly three decades after the coin debuted.

The 1939 hub recuting sharpened the Monticello steps for the first time, establishing Full Steps as the benchmark for exceptional strike quality throughout the entire series. By 1987, the Mint had accumulated nearly five decades of feedback from collectors frustrated by weakly struck steps.

In 1987, the Mint addressed this with stronger working dies across all three production facilities—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The improvement remained in place through 1991, creating a brief period of consistently higher strike quality in the series. The 1987 date thus benefits from both improved technology and institutional attention to collector concerns.

The year 1987 was also economically significant. Consumer spending during the Reagan-era expansion drove robust coin demand, pushing Philadelphia to 371,499,481 pieces and Denver to 410,590,604 pieces—totals that reflected a busy economy, not special collector interest.

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

 

Is Your 1987 Nickel Rare?

For detailed information about your coin’s specific variety and current market value, our Coin Value Checker App provides accurate rarity and value assessments for your coins.

 

Key Features of the 1987 Nickel

Understanding the design details of 1987 Jefferson nickels helps you identify premium specimens and spot the diagnostic clues that separate common circulated pieces from valuable finds.

The Obverse of the 1987 Nickel

Felix Schlag’s portrait of Thomas Jefferson anchors the obverse, a design that ran continuously from 1938 through 2003—making 1987 part of a 65-year unbroken run of the same side-profile composition. Jefferson’s hair strands and facial contours show enhanced definition on 1987 examples thanks to the strengthened dies introduced that year.

Schlag’s initials “FS” appear subtly beneath Jefferson’s bust, a feature finally added in 1966 after nearly three decades of the designer going uncredited. The mint mark—either “P” for Philadelphia or “D” for Denver on circulation strikes—sits on the obverse just below the date, a placement adopted in 1968. San Francisco proof coins bear an “S” in this same location.

The traditional inscriptions complete the layout: LIBERTY arcs along the right side, IN GOD WE TRUST appears to the left of the portrait, and the date 1987 anchors the bottom field.

The Reverse of the 1987 Nickel

Monticello, Jefferson’s neoclassical estate in Albemarle County, Virginia, dominates the reverse. The flat, frontal depiction was Schlag’s revised design—his original three-quarters perspective was rejected by Treasury officials before production began in 1938.

The 1987 strikes benefit clearly from die improvements: the building’s columns, pediment details, and—most importantly for value purposes—the six steps at Monticello’s base show sharper definition than coins from most earlier years. E PLURIBUS UNUM (“out of many, one”) crowns the design, while MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA complete the inscriptions.

Other Features of the 1987 Nickel

The 1987 nickel maintains standard Jefferson nickel dimensions: 21.21mm diameter, 5 grams weight, 1.95mm thickness, smooth plain edge. The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel—the same alloy used since production resumed after the wartime silver period (1942–1945), during which nickels were struck in a 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese alloy to conserve nickel for the war effort.

The P mint mark on the 1987-P nickel also carries a small piece of history: Philadelphia first began placing its mint mark on nickels in 1980, making 1987-P one of the relatively early Philadelphia issues to carry this identification.

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

 

1987 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Total 1987 nickel production reached approximately 786 million pieces across all three facilities. Philadelphia struck 371,499,481 circulation coins, Denver struck 410,590,604, and San Francisco produced just over 4.2 million proof coins for inclusion in annual collector sets.

The proof survival rate is an impressive 85.5%, reflecting how carefully most collectors preserved their sealed proof sets. Circulation strike survival rates are not formally tracked, which is typical for modern coinage—but decades of use have quietly eliminated enormous numbers of potential high-grade survivors.

That attrition is what matters most for collectors. A coin with a mintage of 400 million sounds impossibly common, but when most of those pieces spent years in pockets, vending machines, and piggy banks, the number of pristine, Full Steps survivors becomes genuinely small. That’s grade rarity working in reverse—the large original mintage makes low grades plentiful and high grades surprisingly scarce.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1987 Nickel Value

1987 Nickel Value Guides

1987-P Nickel Value

The 1987-P nickel is a technical milestone in the Jefferson nickel series. Philadelphia’s strengthened dies delivered enhanced hair detail on Jefferson’s portrait and sharper architectural features on Monticello’s reverse—improvements that would remain in place through 1991.

PCGS CoinFacts describes the 1987-P as “a very common issue” through about MS-66 condition, with examples becoming scarce at MS-67 and “very scarce to rare” at MS-68 or higher. That rarity at the top end is what drives serious collector premiums. The finest certified 1987-P nickel—an MS-68 Full Steps specimen graded by NGC—sold for $1,800 at a Heritage Auctions sale in April 2021.

It’s also worth noting that Philadelphia first began marking its coins with a “P” mint mark in 1980, meaning the 1987-P is among the earlier Philadelphia issues to carry this identification on Jefferson nickels.

Auction records for the 1987-P nickel demonstrate how grade sensitivity creates dramatic price disparities across specimens.

Market activity indicates steady demand within the Jefferson nickel marketplace.

 

1987-D Nickel Value

The 1987-D nickel emerged as a particularly clean strike among Denver productions, benefiting from the same strengthened dies that improved the entire 1987 series. Denver’s output of 410,590,604 pieces made it the highest-production 1987 nickel variety—yet paradoxically, that massive volume works against gem survival.

More coins in circulation means more opportunities for wear, bag marks, and environmental damage to eliminate top-grade survivors. PCGS CoinFacts confirms the 1987-D is “scarce in MS-66 Full Steps” and that “any MS-67 Full Steps example should be sent in for grading”—a direct acknowledgment of its rarity in top condition.

The auction record for the 1987-D stands at $2,291.25 for an MS-67 Full Steps specimen certified by PCGS, sold in 2013. That price actually exceeds comparable Philadelphia specimens and reflects the Denver issue’s superior rarity in top-tier preservation levels despite its larger original mintage.

Auction history illustrates the 1987-D nickel’s performance across different grade levels and market conditions.

Market activity demonstrates steady collector engagement with notable seasonal variations.

 

1987-S DCAM Nickel Value

The 1987-S Deep Cameo (DCAM) nickel represents the apex of 1987 nickel production. DCAM—short for Deep Cameo—describes coins where the design elements have a frosted, white appearance that contrasts dramatically against mirror-like background fields. This effect is achieved through specially polished dies and carefully selected planchets at the San Francisco Mint.

Unlike Philadelphia and Denver coins, every 1987-S nickel was made exclusively as a proof coin for annual collector proof sets—none entered general circulation. Each specimen received multiple strikes at high pressure, plus hand-selected planchets, to achieve the sharp detail and visual contrast that defines proof coinage.

The 1987-S is a common issue through PR-69 DCAM grades. But specimens achieving perfect PR-70 DCAM status become notably scarcer and command significant premiums. The all-time auction record for the 1987-S stands at $3,220—a flawless PR-70 DCAM specimen sold by Heritage Auctions in November 2007.

Historical sales demonstrate how proof grade perfection commands exponential pricing premiums.

Collector engagement remains consistently active with pronounced acceleration during autumn periods.

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

 

Rare 1987 Nickel Error List

Production errors from 1987 can transform an ordinary five-cent coin into a valuable collector’s item. Here are the known error types to watch for, along with how to identify each one.

1. Off-Center Strike Error

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet slips out of alignment between the dies before striking, producing a coin where the design appears partially missing, with a blank crescent on the opposite side.

Value correlates directly to the percentage of displacement. Coins with 5–10% misalignment command modest premiums of a few dollars above face value. Dramatic examples with 50% or greater displacement—especially those that still show a complete, legible date—can fetch hundreds of dollars. The date is the key detail: without it, the coin’s year and identity cannot be confirmed, which significantly reduces desirability.

2. Struck on Clad Quarter Stock Error

One of the most spectacular 1987 nickel errors involves Philadelphia nickel dies accidentally striking planchets intended for quarter production. The resulting coins weigh approximately 4.2 grams rather than the standard 5.0 grams, due to the thinner cross-sectional profile of quarter strip. Their diameter is also slightly reduced.

Approximately 10 examples are known for this date, making it genuinely rare. Most certified examples grade AU-53 due to circulation wear. The most valuable 1987 wrong-planchet error—struck on clad stock—sold for $1,754 at a 2010 auction. The similar metallic composition of nickels and quarters allowed these errors to pass through automated sorting undetected until collectors found them in circulation.

3. 1987-D Struck on Foreign Blank Error

A confirmed 1987-D Jefferson nickel struck on a foreign blank weighing just 3.7 grams was certified by NGC at MS-62 grade and sold through GreatCollections. This error occurs when a foreign planchet—intended for another country’s coinage—accidentally enters the U.S. striking process.

Wrong-planchet errors on foreign blanks are especially rare because foreign planchets rarely enter U.S. Mint production streams. The weight difference of 1.3 grams is detectable by feel to experienced handlers, but most circulated through unnoticed. Professional authentication by PCGS or NGC is essential, as these errors command strong premiums once certified.

4. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Error

The DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) error occurs when the hub used to make the working die impressed the design more than once, with each impression landing in a slightly different position. The result is a coin that appears to have doubled lettering, numbers, or portrait features—all raised and three-dimensional, not flat like machine doubling.

On 1987 nickels, DDO varieties show doubling most prominently on the date digits, the letters of LIBERTY, and curved features of Jefferson’s portrait such as his eye, lips, and chin. Minor examples bring $10–$50; prominent, easily visible doubling in uncirculated condition can command $100 or more. Always verify suspected DDOs against CONECA (the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) variety listings before seeking professional grading.

5. Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Error

The DDR (Doubled Die Reverse) is the reverse-side equivalent of the DDO—caused by the same misaligned hub impression process, but manifesting on the coin’s back. On 1987 nickels, look for doubling on MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM, where the doubled lettering appears most visually obvious.

The most desirable 1987 DDR examples combine reverse doubling with the Full Steps designation. A DDR with clear doubling on “FIVE CENTS” plus five or six complete, unbroken steps at Monticello’s base commands premium interest from specialist collectors. Values range from $10–$75 depending on boldness and grade, with the strongest examples in uncirculated condition reaching the higher end of that range.

6. Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) Error

Before 1990, mint workers at Philadelphia and Denver hand-punched the mint mark letter (P or D) into each individual working die. When the first punch was improperly placed, workers struck the mark a second time—often at a slightly different angle—creating the shadow effect known as a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM).

The 1987-D is particularly worth examining for RPM varieties, as Denver’s hand-punching process frequently produced these diagnostic secondary impressions. Most circulated 1987 RPM examples add $10–$40 in value, while uncirculated specimens range from $30–$75. Boldly visible RPMs with clearly separated secondary marks can reach $50–$100 with specialist collectors. Researcher James Wiles documented Jefferson nickel RPMs extensively in his “Jefferson Nickel RPM Book,” which remains the standard reference for attributing these varieties.

7. Die Cracks and Cuds

Die cracks appear as raised lines on finished coins, forming when stress fractures develop in the steel working die from repeated striking pressure. As a die continues in service past its optimal lifespan, cracks can expand until a piece of the die breaks away entirely—creating a raised, irregular blob called a cud where die material was missing during striking.

The 1987 production runs were enormous, accelerating die wear and generating numerous crack and cud varieties throughout the year. Minor die cracks add $1–$5 over face value. Major retained cuds—particularly those affecting central design elements like Jefferson’s portrait or Monticello—command substantially higher premiums of $25–$100 or more depending on size and placement.

 

Where to Sell Your 1987 Nickel?

Once you’ve assessed your coin’s value, the next question is where to sell it. I’ve compiled information on the top selling venues, including their features, strengths, and weaknesses.

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

 

FAQ about 1987 Nickel Value

1. How much is a circulated 1987 nickel worth?

Any 1987-P or 1987-D nickel showing visible wear—even light wear on Jefferson’s cheekbone or Monticello’s roofline—is worth exactly five cents in face value. Coin dealers typically won’t pay more than face for circulated modern nickels. The only exception would be a circulated coin with a confirmed error, such as an off-center strike or wrong planchet, which retains collector value regardless of wear.

2. What makes a 1987 nickel worth thousands of dollars?

Three factors combine to create top-tier value: grade, Full Steps designation, and proof status. The 1987-S PR-70 DCAM holds the record at $3,220 (Heritage Auctions, November 2007), while the top circulation-strike sale is $2,291.25 for a 1987-D MS-67 Full Steps (PCGS, 2013). Reaching those grades requires no post-mint damage, no contact marks on the high points, and—for circulation strikes—five or six complete, unbroken steps at Monticello’s base.

3. What does Full Steps mean on a Jefferson nickel?

Full Steps (FS) is a designation awarded by PCGS and NGC when at least five of the six architectural steps at the base of Monticello appear complete and unbroken, without cuts, bag marks, or weak strike interrupting the lines. NGC further distinguishes 5FS (five full steps) from 6FS (six full steps) since 2004—the 6FS designation commands a premium over 5FS. Full Steps examples are scarce on most Jefferson nickel dates because the steps are among the first design areas to show strike weakness or contact damage.

4. Why does my 1987-D nickel feel slightly different from my 1987-P?

Both coins share identical specifications—5 grams, 21.21mm diameter, 75% copper and 25% nickel composition. Any perceived difference comes from wear patterns or environmental toning, not intentional production variation. Denver produced about 39 million more nickels than Philadelphia in 1987, so you’re statistically more likely to encounter circulated 1987-D coins with heavier wear. The only guaranteed difference is the mint mark: “D” for Denver, “P” for Philadelphia.

5. Are proof 1987-S nickels valuable if found in change?

All 1987-S nickels were struck exclusively as proof coins and sold in sealed collector sets—none were released for circulation. A 1987-S in your change means someone broke open a proof set and spent it. Circulated proof nickels lose the premium commanded by pristine PR-69 to PR-70 examples, but the mirror fields and frosted devices that define proof production remain partially visible even with light wear, making them worth $3–$10 depending on remaining quality.

6. Can a 1987 nickel stick to a magnet?

Standard 1987 nickels don’t attract magnets—their 75% copper/25% nickel composition is not ferromagnetic. If your 1987 nickel shows magnetic attraction, it may be struck on steel planchet stock intended for foreign coinage, which would make it a significant wrong-planchet error. Rule out post-mint alterations first, as some damaged coins acquire magnetic properties from environmental contamination or deliberate plating. Authentic magnetic errors are extraordinarily rare and worth professional authentication by PCGS or NGC—confirmed examples command four-figure prices.

7. What 1987 nickel errors are known and documented?

Confirmed 1987 nickel errors include: off-center strikes (5% to 50%+ displacement), wrong planchet errors on clad quarter stock (approximately 10 known, top sale $1,754 in 2010), a 1987-D struck on a foreign blank weighing 3.7 grams (NGC MS-62, sold via GreatCollections), Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties showing doubling on the date and Jefferson’s portrait, Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties with doubling on MONTICELLO and FIVE CENTS, Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) varieties on the 1987-D (documented by James Wiles in his Jefferson Nickel RPM Book), and die crack/cud varieties resulting from heavy production volume.

8. Should I clean my 1987 nickel before selling it?

Never clean a coin you intend to sell. Cleaning removes natural patina and leaves microscopic scratches that grading services can detect immediately. A cleaned coin loses 50% or more of its market value and receives a “Details” or “Cleaned” designation from PCGS or NGC, which substantially reduces buyer interest. If your coin looks dirty, leave it alone—a coin with original surfaces in VF condition will always outperform a cleaned coin at the same grade level.

9. Is it worth sending a 1987 nickel to PCGS or NGC for grading?

Professional grading—by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service, founded 1986) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company, founded 1987)—is worth the investment only when potential value clearly exceeds grading costs. Current grading fees plus membership, handling, and shipping typically run $100–$150 per coin. For 1987 nickels, professional grading makes economic sense if your coin appears to be MS-66 Full Steps or higher, shows a confirmed rare error, or is a proof specimen that appears to approach PR-70 DCAM condition.

10. How do I tell machine doubling from a real doubled die on my 1987 nickel?

This is one of the most common errors beginners make when examining coins. Machine doubling (also called strike doubling or mechanical doubling) produces a flat, shelf-like secondary image with no depth—it happens during the actual strike when the die bounces slightly. A true Doubled Die (DDO or DDR) produces rounded, three-dimensional secondary images that look as fully formed as the primary design elements. Both images have equal visual weight and clarity. On 1987 nickels, examine the date digits and the letters in LIBERTY under at least 5x magnification. If the secondary image appears raised and separated from the primary—not flat and smeared—you likely have a genuine doubled die worth professional evaluation.