1990 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”,”D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

The 1990 nickel value represents more than just a five-cent piece. This coin circulated during a pivotal year when the Cold War ended and Germany reunified. While Americans used these nickels for everyday transactions, few realized their potential collectible worth.

Most circulated 1990 nickels remain near face value. However, certain varieties and conditions can reach $5.20 or higher. Proof specimens and Full Steps examples command even greater premiums.

Understanding what makes your 1990 nickel valuable requires examining its mint mark, condition, and special features—all factors that separate common pocket change from collectible treasures.

 

1990 Nickel Value By Variety

The 1990 Jefferson nickel was struck in three varieties: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) proof issues, each with distinct characteristics that affect their market value.

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 1990 Nickel Worth Money

The 1990 nickel series offers exciting opportunities for collectors. Values range dramatically based on grade and condition. The most valuable is a 1990-P graded MS60, reaching $2,990. This high price reflects its exceptional preservation.

The second and third positions go to Full Steps specimens. A 1990-P MS67 Full Steps sold for $1,260. A 1990-D MS66 Full Steps brought $1,093. Full Steps means five or six complete stair steps are visible on Monticello.

Proof coins also command strong premiums. A 1990-S PR69 reached $920 at auction. The 1990-S DDO FS-101 error in PR69 sold for $700. Even a perfect 1990-S PR70 brought $489.

Business strike coins in lower grades remain affordable. A 1990-P MS66 is worth around $340. A 1990-P MS55 trades for approximately $299. These values show that condition is crucial. Higher grades can increase value by over ten times compared to circulated examples.

 

History Of The 1990 Nickel

The year 1990 marked a pivotal moment in world history. The Cold War was drawing to a close. Germany officially reunified on October 3, 1990, ending decades of division. This historic event followed the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.

Against this backdrop of global change, the United States continued minting Jefferson nickels. The 1990 nickel carried forward Felix Schlag’s design, introduced in 1938. This marked the 52nd consecutive year of the Jefferson nickel series.

Three U.S. Mint facilities produced 1990 nickels. The Philadelphia Mint struck 661,636,000 coins bearing the “P” mint mark. The Denver Mint produced 663,938,503 pieces with the “D” designation. Together, these two facilities created over 1.3 billion circulation strikes for everyday use.

The San Francisco Mint took a different approach. It produced 3,299,559 proof nickels exclusively for collectors. These specimens featured mirror-like surfaces and superior striking quality. They were sold in special proof sets, not released into circulation.

The composition remained standard: 75% copper and 25% nickel. Each coin weighed exactly 5 grams with a diameter of 21.2 millimeters.

Americans used billions of these nickels daily for ordinary transactions. Few realized certain pristine examples would later command significant collector premiums.

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

 

Is Your 1990 Nickel Rare?

Not all 1990 nickels are created equal. High mintage numbers mean most examples remain common. Yet collectors actively seek premium specimens with sharp details and clean surfaces. Error coins and Full Steps varieties spark particular interest. Skip the guesswork and let the CoinValueChecker App analyze your coin’s rarity instantly.

 

Key Features Of The 1990 Nickel

The 1990 nickel displays Felix Schlag’s classic design unchanged since 1938. The obverse showcases President Jefferson’s profile with identifying marks. The reverse features his Virginia estate with critical striking details. Understanding these elements helps collectors identify valuable specimens.

The Obverse Of The 1990 Nickel

The obverse presents Thomas Jefferson’s left-facing profile based on Jean-Antoine Houdon’s famous bust. The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears along the left edge. The word “LIBERTY” sits on the right side above the date “1990.”

The mint mark location is crucial for identification. Look below the date on the obverse. You’ll find either “P” for Philadelphia or “D” for Denver. San Francisco proof coins bear an “S” mark in the same position.

Designer Felix Schlag’s initials “FS” appear below Jefferson’s shoulder. These initials were added to the design in 1966. They’re small but visible under magnification.

The Reverse Of The 1990 Nickel

The reverse displays Monticello, Jefferson’s architectural masterpiece in Virginia. Schlag depicted the building in a straight-on frontal view. This perspective replaced his original three-quarter angle design.

The Latin motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs across the top. Below Monticello, the word “MONTICELLO” identifies the building. The denomination “FIVE CENTS” appears underneath. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the bottom edge.

The steps at Monticello’s base are critically important. Well-struck coins show five or six complete horizontal lines. These uninterrupted steps define “Full Steps” designation. Full Steps specimens command significant premiums. Most circulation strikes show weak or incomplete step details.

Other Features Of The 1990 Nickel

The 1990 nickel measures 21.2 millimeters in diameter and weighs exactly 5 grams. Its composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel. The edge is completely smooth with no reeding.

These specifications remained standard throughout the Jefferson nickel series. The coin’s thickness measures 1.95 millimeters.

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

 

1990 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1990 nickel production shows interesting patterns across three mint facilities. Philadelphia struck 661,636,000 coins while Denver produced slightly more at 663,938,503 pieces. Combined, these circulation strikes exceeded 1.3 billion nickels. San Francisco focused exclusively on proof production with 3,299,559 coins minted.

Survival data reveals a significant gap in our knowledge. Both Philadelphia and Denver survival numbers remain unknown due to extensive circulation and loss over decades. These coins changed hands millions of times, making accurate survival estimates impossible.

San Francisco proof coins show measurable survival rates. Of the 3,299,559 proofs struck, approximately 2,821,122 specimens survive today. This represents an 85.5% survival rate. Collectors preserved these proofs carefully in protective packaging.

The survival distribution chart shows this difference clearly. Known surviving specimens are predominantly San Francisco proofs, while circulated P and D examples remain largely undocumented in collector populations.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1990 Nickel Value

Wondering if your 1990 nickel holds hidden value? While millions were minted, certain specimens stand out. Key factors include mint mark location, strike quality, and error features. Identifying these details takes expertise. Download the CoinValueChecker App to scan your coin instantly and discover its true rarity status.

 

1990 Nickel Value Guides

• 1990-P (Philadelphia):Circulated examples trade near face value. Uncirculated specimens vary significantly by grade. Higher mint state levels show substantial premiums. Full Steps designations add considerable value, particularly in MS66 and above grades where well-struck examples become scarce.
• 1990-D (Denver):Common in circulated condition at face value. Mint state coins display similar patterns to Philadelphia issues in standard grades. Higher certified grades command premiums. The Denver mint produced slightly more coins than Philadelphia, but high-grade examples remain challenging to locate.
• 1990-S DCAM (San Francisco Proof):Proof specimens were sold exclusively to collectors in protective packaging. Most examples feature mirror-like surfaces with Deep Cameo contrast. Professional grading reveals abundant high-quality survivors. These proofs represent the highest striking quality from 1990 production.

Understanding 1990 nickel values requires examining three distinct categories. Each variety follows different market patterns based on production methods and preservation rates.

Philadelphia and Denver strikes circulated widely, making lower grades common. Values increase significantly in higher mint state levels. Full Steps specimens add considerable premiums due to their scarcity.

San Francisco proofs were sold directly to collectors in protective packaging. This careful handling resulted in abundant high-grade survivors. Most examples achieve top grades with Deep Cameo surfaces. Proof nickels maintain modest premiums over their issue prices in typical grades.

 

1990-P Nickel Value

Philadelphia minted over 661 million nickels in 1990, making lower grades abundant. Circulated examples typically trade near face value. The market structure shifts in upper mint state levels where condition becomes critical.

Full Steps specimens grow increasingly scarce above MS65. MS67 with Full Steps represents the finest certified grade. No higher grades have been recorded to date. This certification ceiling reflects the difficulty of achieving exceptional strikes.

Most high-grade Full Steps examples typically sell between $100 and $500. An MS60 specimen achieved $2,990 in 2009. This result remains an outlier, reflecting specific collector demand at that time rather than typical market values.

Auction records show varying price trends across different grade levels over the years.

Monthly market activity demonstrates fluctuating collector interest in this Philadelphia issue.

 

1990-D Nickel Value

Denver struck 663,938,503 nickels in 1990, slightly exceeding Philadelphia’s production. Most circulated examples trade at face value due to this high mintage. The market dynamics shift considerably in upper mint state levels.

Full Steps specimens become increasingly scarce in higher grades. Most premium examples fall between MS65 and MS67. These Full Steps coins command notable premiums over standard strikes. MS68 represents the finest certified grade, with exceptionally few examples known.

The highest recorded auction price reached $525 for an MS68 specimen in June 2023. This sale demonstrates the rarity of top-grade Denver issues. The value gap between standard strikes and Full Steps examples widens significantly above MS65.

Historical auction data reveals steady collector demand across multiple grade levels.

Market activity patterns reflect consistent interest from Jefferson nickel specialists.

 

1990-S DCAM Nickel Value

San Francisco produced 3,299,559 proof nickels exclusively for collectors. These specimens feature Deep Cameo contrast with frosted devices against mirror-like fields. This visual appeal drives collector demand across all proof grades.

Most examples grade between PR68 and PR69 DCAM. PR70 DCAM specimens represent perfect examples. While scarcer than lower proof grades, sufficient quantities exist to keep prices accessible. The Deep Cameo designation requires strong contrast between frosted design elements and reflective backgrounds.

The highest recorded auction price reached $920 for a PR69 DCAM specimen in April 2010. This represents strong pricing for high-grade proofs at that time. Current market values remain modest, with most PR69 examples trading between $50 and $150.

Recent auction records show moderate but consistent trading activity for premium specimens.

Monthly trading volume indicates moderate but regular collector participation in this series.

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

 

Rare 1990 Nickel Error List

While most 1990 Jefferson nickels are worth face value, several rare error varieties can be worth hundreds of dollars to collectors.

These errors occurred during the minting process and create unique characteristics that make them highly sought after. The most valuable examples are proof coins with doubled die errors from the San Francisco Mint.

1990-S DDO FS-101

The 1990-S DDO FS-101 is a modern doubled die variety that has proven difficult to locate among collectors.

The doubling appears in three diagnostic areas: moderate doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” spreading eastward, strongest doubling on the designer’s initials “FS” below Jefferson’s neck with near complete separation, and light doubling on Jefferson’s top eyelid.

This error occurred during the die-making process when multiple misaligned hub impressions transferred onto the working die. Each coin struck from this flawed die displays the same doubling characteristics, making it a true variety rather than a random error.

The highest documented auction record for this error is $920, achieved by a specimen sold in 2010. Premium Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof examples in top grades like PR69 and PR70 command the strongest prices in today’s market.

 

Where To Sell Your 1990 Nickel?

Finding the right marketplace maximizes your 1990 nickel’s value. Each selling platform offers distinct advantages and limitations. We’ve compiled detailed information on the best places to sell coins online. Review the pros and cons of each option to make an informed decision that suits your needs.

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

 

1990 Nickel Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1990 Nickel

1. Is my 1990 nickel worth anything?

Most circulated 1990 nickels are worth face value due to high mintages exceeding 1.3 billion coins. However, uncirculated examples can be valuable. Full Steps specimens in high grades can reach hundreds of dollars.

The 1990-S proof nickels typically sell for $2 to $5. Error varieties like the DDO FS-101 can command $700 or more. Condition is the most critical factor determining value.

2. What does “Full Steps” mean on a 1990 nickel?

Full Steps refers to Monticello’s staircase on the reverse. A true Full Steps nickel shows five or six complete horizontal lines. These steps must be uninterrupted with no breaks or weakness.

Most circulation strikes show weak step details due to insufficient striking pressure. Full Steps specimens are much scarcer and command significant premiums. They only appear on uncirculated coins, never on circulated examples.

3. Where is the mint mark located on a 1990 nickel?

The mint mark appears on the obverse below the date “1990.” You’ll find either “P” for Philadelphia or “D” for Denver. San Francisco proof coins display an “S” mark in this location. The mint mark helps identify which facility produced your coin.

This information affects both rarity and value assessments. Use magnification if needed for clear viewing.