1999 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

Most 1999 nickel value falls within an accessible range for beginning collectors. Standard circulated examples trade near face value, while mint state specimens offer moderate appreciation potential.

A typical 1999-P nickel in MS condition reaches around $7.50, though Full Steps examples with sharp stair details can command $12.33 or more.

The 1999-D variant with Full Steps in mint state presents stronger investment appeal at approximately $15.50. These coins remain readily available in the market, making them ideal for collectors building Jefferson nickel sets without significant financial barriers.

 

1999 Nickel Value By Variety

This value chart displays the price ranges for different 1999 nickel varieties across various condition 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 1999 Nickel Worth Money

The most valuable 1999 nickels are those preserved in exceptional high-grade conditions, particularly specimens with Full Steps designations.

Among Full Steps examples, a 1999-P nickel graded MS68 stands out with a value of $4,465 at auction. This premium reflects both the coin’s near-perfect preservation and the sharp, complete stair details on Monticello’s reverse. A 1999-P MS67FS example can reach $1,080, while at the same grade level, a 1999-D Full Steps variant is valued at $588.

Proof coins from San Francisco also demonstrate strong collector demand, with a pristine 1999-S PR70 specimen bringing $604—representing the highest attainable proof grade.

Even mid-range mint state pieces command respectable premiums. A 1999-P MS64FS coin can sell for $345, considerably above standard uncirculated examples. These auction records spanning 2003 to present reveal sustained collector interest in premium-quality 1999 nickels.

 

History of the 1999 Nickel

The Jefferson nickel series debuted in 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickel after completing its 25-year production cycle. Felix Schlag’s design won a competition among 390 entries, though Treasury officials required modifications before the final approval in July 1938.

By 1999, the Jefferson nickel had maintained Felix Schlag’s original design for over six decades with minimal changes. In 1966, the designer’s initials “FS” were finally added to Jefferson’s coat near the rim, twenty-eight years after the first nickel was produced. This subtle modification represented one of the few alterations to Schlag’s original vision.

At this point in the series history, Full Steps varieties had become particularly significant to collectors. These well-struck examples, where all stair details on Monticello remain sharply defined, proved considerably scarcer than standard strikes.

The series would continue with Schlag’s original design through 2003. In 2004, special commemorative issues honoring the Lewis and Clark Expedition bicentennial were introduced, marking the first major design change in the series’ modern era. The 1999 nickel thus represents one of the final years of the uninterrupted original design period.

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

 

Is Your 1999 Nickel Rare?

Check your 1999 nickel’s rarity level instantly with the CoinValueChecker App through a quick photo scan.

 

Key Features of the 1999 Nickel

The 1999 Jefferson nickel represents Felix Schlag’s enduring design in its 61st year of production. As one of the final Jefferson nickels minted in the 20th century, this coin showcases the same artistic elements that had characterized the series since its inception.

The Obverse of the 1999 Nickel

Thomas Jefferson’s left-facing profile dominates the obverse, inspired by the famous Houdon bust created two centuries earlier. His hair is styled in the characteristic late 18th-century manner with a ribbon-tied queue.

“IN GOD WE TRUST” follows a curved path along the coin’s left edge, beginning near Jefferson’s shoulder. The word “LIBERTY” appears on the right side, positioned above the year “1999,” with both inscriptions following the coin’s natural curve.

Look for the mint mark immediately to the right of Jefferson’s hair ribbon, positioned beneath the date. This small letter indicates whether your nickel originated from Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), or San Francisco (S).

The Reverse of the 1999 Nickel

Monticello takes center stage on the reverse, displayed in a symmetrical front-facing view that highlights the neoclassical architecture. The building’s iconic dome and columned portico are rendered in careful detail.

Above the mansion, the national motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” spans the upper portion. The building’s name “MONTICELLO” sits directly below the structure, followed by “FIVE CENTS” to denote the coin’s value and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the lower rim.

Other Features of the 1999 Nickel

Each 1999 nickel weighs exactly 5 grams and measures 21.20 millimeters across, with a uniform thickness of 1.95 millimeters. The coin features a plain edge without any ridges or inscriptions.

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

 

1999 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1999 nickel witnessed massive production numbers at both major minting facilities. Philadelphia struck over 1.212 billion pieces, while Denver produced approximately 1.067 billion coins, bringing the combined circulation mintage to well over 2.2 billion nickels.

These enormous mintage figures explain why circulated 1999 nickels remain readily available today. However, precise survival data for Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes remains unknown, as tracking billions of coins through decades of everyday use proves impractical.

In contrast, the San Francisco Mint produced only 3,347,966 Deep Cameo proof nickels specifically for collectors. These premium specimens show a documented survival rate of 72.17%, with approximately 2.4 million pieces still preserved in collections. This preservation rate reflects the careful storage these collector-oriented coins typically receive.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1999 Nickel Value

Your 1999 nickel’s worth starts with checking the mint mark below the date, which identifies whether it came from Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco.

The coin’s overall condition plays the decisive role in value, with mint state examples showing no wear on Jefferson’s cheekbone or hair details commanding premiums over circulated pieces.

Examine Monticello’s staircase on the reverse carefully. Coins displaying five or six complete, sharply defined steps are notably scarcer and more valuable than those with weak or merged step details. Surface quality matters too, as scratches, discoloration, or heavy wear significantly reduce collector appeal.

The CoinValueChecker App simplifies this entire evaluation process by analyzing your coin’s grade and current market value instantly through photo recognition.

 

1999 Nickel Value Guides

The United States Mint produced three distinct varieties of 1999 nickels across different facilities. Philadelphia and Denver struck billions of circulation coins for everyday commerce, while San Francisco focused exclusively on premium proof specimens for collectors.

• 1999-P Nickel
• 1999-D Nickel
• 1999-S DCAM Nickel

Each variety carries unique characteristics that influence its market value and collectibility. Understanding these differences helps collectors identify which coins merit closer examination.

 

1999-P Nickel Value

The 1999-P nickel remains relatively easy to locate in circulated grades, but finding examples in MS67 or higher presents considerable difficulty for collectors.

What truly distinguishes valuable specimens from common circulation strikes is the Full Steps designation, which requires five or six complete, unbroken step lines visible at Monticello’s base.

The scarcity of well-struck Philadelphia nickels with complete architectural details makes these specimens particularly desirable in today’s market.

The auction record for a 1999-P nickel stands at $4,465, achieved by an MS68 Full Steps example sold in January 2016. This substantial premium reflects how strike quality and superior preservation create significant value differences among coins from the same year.

The chart below highlights auction prices achieved by 1999-P nickels in various grades.

Market engagement for 1999-P nickels is documented in the activity chart.

 

1999-D Nickel Value

The Denver Mint produced approximately 1.067 billion 1999-D nickels, contributing to the year’s massive combined output. This substantial production ensures that circulated examples remain readily accessible to collectors today.

While finding specimens up to MS65 poses little difficulty for collectors, locating examples in MS66 becomes more demanding. The MS67 grade and higher represent genuine rarity.

The Full Steps designation adds another layer of selectivity, as achieving complete step definition on Denver strikes requires precise die alignment and optimal striking pressure.

An MS67 Full Steps specimen realized $588 in January 2016, reflecting collector interest in well-struck examples with complete architectural detail. The combination of high grade and full step definition creates notable scarcity even among modern issues.

Trading patterns for 1999-D nickels reveal ongoing collector engagement.

 

1999-S DCAM Nickel Value

The San Francisco Mint struck these proof nickels exclusively for collectors, never releasing them into general circulation. The production quality proved consistently strong, with most examples displaying the distinctive deep cameo contrast between frosted design elements and mirror-like fields.

The PR69 deep cameo grade represents the most commonly encountered quality level for this issue. Perfect PR70 specimens exist in sufficient numbers to meet collector interest. These premium grades showcase flawless surfaces with no visible imperfections even under magnification.

A PR70 deep cameo example realized $604 at auction in December 2003, reflecting the appeal of pristine proof coins with maximum visual contrast. Pricing remains reasonable for collectors building Jefferson nickel proof sets.

Historical auction results for this variety appear in the chart below.

The following chart illustrates transaction frequency for this proof variety.

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

 

Rare 1999 Nickel Error List

Production anomalies from 1999 coins occasionally escaped the Mint’s quality control processes and reached circulation. These manufacturing variations transform ordinary five-cent pieces into collectible specimens, with values ranging from modest premiums to thousands of dollars depending on the specific flaw.

1. Off-Center Errors

Off-center strikes occur when the blank planchet receives a strike in the wrong position, resulting in partial design transfer with visible blank metal areas. The error’s severity directly determines collector value, measured by the percentage of misalignment from the intended center position.

For an off-center strike to command premium pricing, the misalignment must exceed approximately 5 percent, with edge lettering partially cut off. Minor examples showing 10 to 15 percent displacement typically sell for modest premiums, while specimens with 40 to 60 percent off-center strikes can reach several hundred dollars.

Documented 1999 nickel off-center errors include specimens graded MS63 with 65 percent displacement, and exceptionally rare multiple-strike examples reaching MS65. Standard off-center and broadstrike 1999 nickels generally trade between $10 and $50.

2. Misaligned Die Errors

Misaligned die errors develop when the hammer die shifts horizontally or tilts during the striking process, causing design elements to transfer at incorrect angles or positions. Unlike off-center strikes where the planchet moves, these errors stem from die positioning problems within the press itself.

The resulting coins display design elements positioned away from their expected locations, sometimes creating unusual overlapping patterns between obverse and reverse features. Identification requires careful examination to distinguish genuine die misalignment from post-strike damage or normal manufacturing tolerances.

Standard misaligned die errors carry minimal premium unless displacement exceeds ten percent, as minor variations fall within acceptable production parameters. Collectors seeking these varieties should look for clearly visible design shifts that appear consistently across the entire striking surface.

3. Wrong Planchet Errors

Wrong planchet errors occur when correctly manufactured blanks from one denomination accidentally feed into presses configured for different denominations.

These mistakes represent some of the most valuable modern error categories, as multiple safeguards must fail simultaneously for such errors to reach circulation.

The most valuable documented 1999 nickel error is a 1999-P nickel struck on a 1999-P dime planchet, which sold for $5,463 in 2008. This specimen demonstrates the value potential when nickel dies meet the smaller, clad composition dime blank.

The resulting coin displays the complete Jefferson nickel design compressed onto the dime’s diameter, with distinctive weight and metallic composition mismatches.

Identification requires precise weighing and measurement, as the struck coin retains the dimensions and weight of its actual planchet rather than its intended denomination.

Authentication through professional grading services proves essential for wrong planchet errors, given their significant value and the existence of convincing counterfeits.

 

Where to Sell Your 1999 Nickel?

Your 1999 nickels have been evaluated, but where should you sell them for optimal returns? I’ve compiled a detailed guide to trusted online selling platforms, including comprehensive introductions, key advantages, and potential drawbacks to help you choose the right marketplace.

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

 

1999 Nickel Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1999 Nickel

1. How much is a 1999 Nickel worth today?

Most circulated 1999 nickels trade at face value of five cents. Standard mint state examples range from $5.20 to $7.50 depending on the mint mark.

Full Steps specimens command higher premiums, with MS-grade examples valued between $12.33 and $15.50. The 1999-S proof nickel typically sells for $4.78 in deep cameo condition.

The auction record stands at $4,465 for an MS68 Full Steps example, while error coins like the 1999-P struck on a dime planchet reached $5,463.

2. What makes a 1999 Nickel rare?

With over 2.2 billion circulation pieces produced, the typical 1999 nickel remains abundant. Rarity emerges at specific quality thresholds rather than from limited mintage numbers.

Examples grading MS67 or higher become genuinely scarce, as most coins entering circulation sustained wear or contact marks. Full Steps specimens represent another rarity factor, requiring exceptional die alignment and striking pressure to achieve complete stair definition. Major minting errors also create rarity through production anomalies.

3. How do I tell if my 1999 Nickel is valuable?

Examine Monticello’s staircase under magnification to determine if your coin displays complete, sharply defined steps. Full Steps designation significantly increases value for mint state examples.

Check for any unusual striking characteristics such as off-center designs, doubled elements, or wrong planchet composition that might indicate a valuable error.

Assess the overall surface condition, looking for original mint luster without distracting contact marks or discoloration. Research current market prices for comparable specimens to establish realistic value expectations.