1993 Nickel Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

1993 Nickel value ranges from $0.05 face value to $6,900. That record was a Grade 67 example sold through Heritage Auctions in September 2010 — a high-grade coin that collectors pushed well into four figures. Upload a photo of yours below to get a quick value range on your coin. Then scroll down to see what 1993 Nickels are selling for on eBay today.

 

1993 Nickel Value By Variety

Your 1993 nickel’s value comes down to which mint made it and whether it has Full Steps. If you already know the grade, jump to the **Value Guides** section for exact pricing.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1993 Nickel Worth Money

The gap between a $74 coin and a $6,900 coin — both from Philadelphia — shows what happens once you cross into MS67 Full Steps territory. You’re not competing with thousands of nice examples anymore. You’re fighting over a handful of coins that survived with near-perfect strikes.

San Francisco proofs play a different game entirely. Their value comes from mirror-like surfaces and deliberate craftsmanship, not surviving circulation. The top auction price for a PR70 Deep Cameo sits at $1,058 at Heritage Auctions on June 5, 2013.

Denver coins consistently sell for less than Philadelphia at the same grade, even though mintage numbers are almost identical. I think it’s more about collector habit than actual scarcity — Philly nickels just draw more attention from serious registry set builders, and that premium feeds on itself.

 

History of the 1993 Nickel

The 1993 Jefferson nickel rolled off the presses as the U.S. was climbing out of the early ’90s recession. Unemployment was dropping from its 1992 peak, and the longest economic expansion in modern history was just getting started.

The Jefferson series launched in 1938 after the Buffalo nickel completed its required 25-year run. The Mint held an open design competition — 390 artists entered — and Felix Schlag, a German-born immigrant who’d become a citizen in 1929, won the $1,000 prize.

Here’s a fun detail: Treasury officials rejected Schlag’s original three-quarter view of Monticello. He had to redesign the reverse into the flat, head-on view we still see today — and they didn’t pay him a dime extra for the rework.

In 1939, the Mint recut the hub to sharpen Monticello’s steps, which had looked fuzzy on early strikes. That single change is why the Full Steps designation exists as a collecting benchmark. Schlag’s initials “FS” weren’t added below Jefferson’s portrait until 1966. Two special presentation pieces were struck and given to the designer. By 1993, his design had been in continuous production for 55 years.

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

 

Is Your 1993 Nickel Rare?

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

 

Key Features of the 1993 Nickel

Here’s what to look for when you’re examining a 1993 Jefferson nickel.

The Obverse of the 1993 Nickel

The front shows Felix Schlag’s left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson with refined hair and facial detail from years of Mint hub improvements. Look below Jefferson’s shoulder for the designer’s initials “FS” — added in 1966, nearly three decades after the coin debuted in 1938.

IN GOD WE TRUST sits to the left of the portrait, with LIBERTY curving along the right edge. The date 1993 anchors the bottom. Your mint mark — “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco proofs — appears just below the date, a placement used since 1968.

The Reverse of the 1993 Nickel

Flip it over and Monticello fills the reverse in that flat, frontal view Treasury forced Schlag to create. On premium specimens, look at the entrance staircase for the Full Steps (FS) feature: five or six distinct, unbroken horizontal lines running across the steps.

PCGS requires at least five complete, uninterrupted lines at MS60 or better. NGC has distinguished between 5FS and 6FS designations since 2004. Even one tiny interruption — a die gouge, planchet flaw, or weak spot — kills the FS designation.

E PLURIBUS UNUM crowns the design, with MONTICELLO labeled below the building. FIVE CENTS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA complete the inscriptions around the rim.

Other Features of the 1993 Nickel

The 1993 nickel measures 21.20 millimeters in diameter, weighs 5.00 grams, and has a plain (smooth) edge. It’s 75% copper and 25% nickel — looks silvery but contains zero precious metal.

That’s the same formula used since 1946. During World War II (1942–1945), the alloy temporarily shifted to 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese to save nickel for the war effort. You can spot those wartime nickels by the large mint mark above Monticello’s dome — a placement never used before or since on regular Jefferson nickels.

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

 

1993 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia and Denver each cranked out over 400 million pieces — that’s roughly one nickel for every man, woman, and child in the U.S. at the time, from each mint. San Francisco produced just over 3.39 million proof coins strictly for collector sets, and about 95% of those still survive today.

Nobody knows the real survival rate for P and D circulation coins. Hundreds of millions exist somewhere, but try finding one with sharp strikes, original luster, and Full Steps. That’s a completely different kind of rare — collectors call it “conditional rarity.” Common in a junk box, scarce in a top-pop holder.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1993 Nickel Value

1993 Nickel Value Guides

1993-P Nickel Value

Most people assume 412 million coins means nothing special. They’re right — up to a point. PCGS CoinFacts calls the 1993-P “very common” through MS64 and “much tougher” at MS65. By MS66, especially with Full Steps, you’re looking at a scarce coin.

MS67 Full Steps is where things get wild. PCGS describes these as “very difficult to find and very scarce with few examples known.” Anything higher is flat-out rare.

The all-time record? $6,900 for an NGC-certified MS67 sold at Heritage Auctions on September 22, 2010. That’s a thousandfold premium over a circulated example worth face value. Strike quality and grade drive the price here, not mintage.

Auction records show a huge price jump for high-grade 1993-P nickels, with MS67 specimens reaching $6,900 while lower grades trade for under $150.

Market activity for 1993-P nickels has remained relatively steady throughout 2024-2025, with a notable spike in March 2025.

Market activity score: 43/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 8 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1993-D Nickel Value

Here’s a question worth asking: why does a coin with nearly the same mintage as the 1993-P sell for a fraction of the price? Denver struck over 406 million pieces, and PCGS says they’re “fairly easy to find” even in uncirculated condition from bank rolls or mint sets. Scarcity doesn’t really kick in until MS66 or higher.

Even at MS66 Full Steps, the 1993-D stays surprisingly affordable. That’s a big difference from the Philly coin, where MS66 FS already carries a real premium. You need to reach MS67 Full Steps before the Denver coin commands “several hundred dollars or even higher,” per PCGS CoinFacts.

The auction record is $646.25 for a PCGS MS67 Full Steps specimen sold at Heritage Auctions on January 6, 2016 — roughly one-tenth the Philadelphia record at the same grade. Several MS67 FS examples have appeared at auction recently, typically selling around $100. If you’re cherrypicking rolls, Denver coins offer a better shot at finding a nice one for less money.

Market activity for the 1993-D nickel over the past year:

Market activity score: 47/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 12 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1993-S DCAM Nickel Value

You can pick up a 1993-S proof nickel for about $4–$5. That’s the good news if you’re building a type set on a budget. These were struck exclusively at San Francisco for collector proof sets and never entered circulation. “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) describes the frosty white raised design elements against deeply mirrored fields — that bold contrast is what proof collectors chase.

By 1993, the Mint had its cameo production dialed in. Better dies, inert packaging, fewer toning problems. Most examples grade between PR67 and PR70 Deep Cameo, making them far more consistent than earlier proof issues.

The top auction price is $1,058 for a PCGS PR70DCAM sold at Heritage Auctions on June 5, 2013. We think PR69 DCAM examples at $4–$5 are one of the best entry points in the hobby for anyone wanting high-quality proof coinage without spending real money.

The recorded sales show how accessible this coin is across both PR69 and PR70 grades.

Market activity from late 2024 through October 2025 for the 1993-S DCAM Jefferson Nickel:

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

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

 

Rare 1993 Nickel Error List

Over 821 million 1993 nickels were struck across all three mints. Modern quality control catches most mistakes — but not all of them. When errors slip through, the premiums can surprise you.

1. Double Strike and Flip-Over Double Strike Errors

A double strike means the coin got hit twice by the dies. The second strike is usually rotated or off-center, leaving overlapping ghost images across the design. In a flip-over double strike, the coin physically flips 180 degrees between hits, so you see both obverse and reverse images on each side. Wild looking.

A dramatic 1993-P flip-over double strike — second impression off-center — was certified MS66 by NGC and sold through Heritage Auctions. For this to happen, multiple things have to go wrong: the coin fails to eject and re-enters the striking chamber.

Subtle double strikes start around $50. Spectacular flip-over varieties in mint state can bring $300–$600 or more.

2. Wrong Planchet Errors

This is when a nickel die strikes a blank meant for a different denomination. Heritage Auctions has documented a 1993-P nickel struck on a cent planchet, certified MS66 Red by NGC. The copper planchet gives it a distinctive reddish color you can’t miss.

These weigh about 2.5 grams instead of the standard 5.0 grams, and the smaller diameter is immediately obvious. Modern systems are supposed to prevent this. That’s what makes them genuinely scarce.

Common examples start at $200–$300. High-grade specimens with sharp strikes and nice eye appeal can push past $500–$1,000.

3. Off-Center Strikes

When the planchet isn’t seated properly in the collar, the design shifts to one side and leaves a blank, unstruck crescent on the opposite edge. Both Philadelphia and Denver 1993 nickels have documented off-center examples.

The key question: can you read the date? Collectors pay a strong premium when “1993” remains fully visible. A minor 5%–10% off-center strike might bring $20–$40. A dramatic 50% off-center with full date? That’s $150–$300 or more territory.

Check the blank area carefully. Authentic off-center strikes show smooth, unstruck planchet surface — not the rough, gouged look of post-mint damage.

4. Clipped Planchet Errors

These happen when the blanking punch overlaps a previously punched hole (or the strip’s edge), leaving a “bite” out of the coin. Jefferson nickels are one of the most common series for clipped planchet errors, according to PCGS.

Curved clips are the most common type. Straight clips happen at the strip’s edge. Multiple clips — more than one missing area — are rarer and worth more.

A small curved clip on a 1993 nickel in decent shape might bring $10–$25. Larger clips (15% or more missing) in uncirculated grades can fetch $50–$150, with slabbed PCGS or NGC examples pulling a premium over raw pieces.

5. Struck Through Grease Errors

Grease or debris builds up in the die recesses and blocks the design transfer during striking. On 1993 nickels, you’ll most often see this on the date, “LIBERTY,” or Jefferson’s hair — areas that look smudged or ghostly while the rest of the coin stays sharp.

Severity varies a lot. Light grease strikes with subtle detail loss run about $8–$15. Heavy fills that completely wipe out a major element — like the entire date — can bring $20–$50 or more, especially when slabbed by PCGS or NGC.

 

Where to Sell Your 1993 Nickel?

After determining what your coins are worth, you’re probably wondering about convenient online selling options. I’ve researched and compiled a guide to the best platforms, outlining their services, pros, and cons.

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

 

FAQ about 1993 Nickel Value

1. What makes a 1993 nickel valuable compared to face value?

Full Steps. That’s the biggest value driver — five or six unbroken horizontal lines on Monticello’s staircase. A 1993-P graded MS67 Full Steps sold for $6,900 at Heritage Auctions in 2010. A comparable 1993-D brought $646.25 in 2016. Without FS, most are worth 5 cents.

2. Should I keep 1993-D or 1993-P nickels I find in change?

Keep any 1993 nickel with bright luster, sharp detail, and no visible wear. Philadelphia coins are worth significantly more in top grades — the P mint record is $6,900 versus $646 for D mint. Finding a truly uncirculated example in pocket change is unlikely, though. If you spot one with full steps visible on Monticello, consider sending it to PCGS or NGC.

3. Why do 1993-P nickels sell for more than 1993-D at the same grade?

Production numbers are nearly identical (412 million P versus 406 million D), so it’s not about total supply. The 1993-P has a steeper rarity curve in top grades — MS67 Full Steps examples are extremely rare for the P mint, while Denver MS67 FS specimens show up at auction more often. Collector preference reinforces the gap over time.

4. What does “Full Steps” mean on a Jefferson nickel and how do I check it?

Full Steps (FS) is a strike-quality designation from PCGS and NGC for Jefferson nickels where Monticello’s staircase shows five or six completely uninterrupted horizontal lines. One tiny break or merged line disqualifies it. Grab a 5x–10x loupe, look at the bottom center of the reverse under good light, and count the lines. If five or six run cleanly edge to edge with no breaks, you might have an FS coin worth grading.

5. What is the 1993-S proof nickel and is it worth buying?

It’s a proof coin struck at San Francisco exclusively for collector sets — never circulated. DCAM (Deep Cameo) means frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields. With about 3.39 million made and high survival rates, most grade PR67–PR70 DCAM and sell for just $4–$5. The record is $1,058 for a perfect PR70DCAM at Heritage Auctions in 2013.

6. How can I tell which mint made my 1993 nickel?

Check the obverse just below the date. You’ll see “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco. All 1993 business strikes carry a mint mark. The “S” coins are proof-only pieces from collector sets — you won’t find them in pocket change.

7. Are there any doubled die errors known for the 1993 nickel?

No major catalogued doubled die variety exists for 1993 like the famous 1955 Lincoln cent. Minor machine doubling shows up occasionally, but that’s a different thing. True doubled dies — with distinct separated images on the date or lettering — are uncommon. Minor examples start around $10–$30 circulated. Dramatic, clearly doubled pieces could reach $50–$150 or more if certified.

8. Does cleaning a 1993 nickel hurt its value?

Absolutely. Even a light wipe leaves microscopic scratches visible to graders. PCGS and NGC will label it with a “Details” grade (e.g., “MS65 Details — Cleaned”), which tanks the value. A 1993-P that might grade MS65 and sell for $10–$20 could drop to $1–$2 with a “Cleaned” designation. Never clean a coin you think might be valuable.

9. What does the “MS” grade number on a 1993 nickel mean?

MS stands for “Mint State” — no wear from circulation. The number comes from the Sheldon Scale, running from MS60 (no wear but lots of bag marks) to MS70 (perfect). For 1993 nickels, MS60–MS64 is common and worth a dollar or two. MS65 carries a small premium. MS66 is moderately scarce. MS67 with Full Steps is where the real money starts.

10. Is a 1993 nickel made of silver?

No. It’s 75% copper and 25% nickel with no precious metal content. The only silver Jefferson nickels are the “Wartime” issues from late 1942 through 1945, which contain 35% silver. You can spot those by the large mint mark (P, D, or S) above Monticello’s dome on the reverse. The 1993 nickel has a plain edge and the mint mark below the date on the front — standard copper-nickel alloy.