Top 100 Rarest Nickels Worth Money (Most Expensive)

Most nickels are worth exactly five cents, but a select few have become numismatic treasures worth hundreds of thousands—even millions—of dollars.

The legendary 1913 Liberty Head Nickel holds the record at an astounding $4.56 million, while other rarities like the 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel ($350,750) and 1926-S Buffalo Nickel ($322,000) command six-figure prices.

These extraordinary values stem from limited mintages, mint errors, exceptional preservation, and compelling historical mysteries. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply curious about that old nickel in your pocket, discover the 100 most valuable nickels ever sold at auction.

Looking for rare Nickels from other years?

• Auto Coin Appraisal Tool: Best Coin Identifier App
• (1938-Present): Top 100 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money List
• (1913 – 1938): Top 60+ Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money
• Misprint Nickels: Rare Nickel Errors List with Pictures

 

 

The Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

1. 1913 Proof Liberty Nickel

Record Price: $4,560,000 (PCGS PR66, Stack’s Bowers 2018)

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most legendary rarities in American numismatics, with only five known examples in existence. The most expensive piece sold was a 1913 Liberty Head nickel struck by Dr. Eliasberg/Morton-Smith, graded Proof-66 by PCGS, which sold for $4,560,000.00 in August, 2018 at August 2018 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Philadelphia, PA, by Stack’s Bowers.

This particular coin is widely considered the finest and most well-preserved coin out of all five surviving 1913 Liberty Head nickels. It has a remarkable pedigree, having been owned by legendary collectors including Louis E. Eliasberg Sr., and was the first U.S. coin to break the $1 million barrier when it sold for $1,485,000 in 1996. It now ranks as the most valuable non-precious metal coin ever sold.

The coin’s creation remains mysterious – these were produced in extremely limited quantities unauthorized by the United States Mint, likely by a Mint employee, making them one of the ultimate treasures for serious collectors.

Check 1913 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

2. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $350,750 (PCGS MS65, Bowers & Merena 2006)

The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel represents one of the most significant rarities in 20th-century American numismatics. This extraordinary overdate resulted from wartime coinage demands during World War I, when Philadelphia Mint engravers accidentally impressed a working die first with a 1917-dated hub, then overstruck it with a 1918-dated hub before shipping the die to Denver. The visible “7” beneath the “8” creates a distinctive feature.

The error went unrecognized until the early 1930s. By then, extensive circulation had destroyed most examples. Current estimates suggest approximately 7,000 specimens survive in all grades combined.

Mint State examples are exceptionally rare, with scholars estimating only 35-40 specimens exist in uncirculated condition. At the Gem MS65 level and higher, only seven total specimens have been certified between PCGS and NGC combined, with none grading higher than MS65+.

The $350,750 realization at the 2006 Bowers & Merena auction reflected this specimen’s position among the finest known examples. Gem-grade specimens regularly achieve six-figure prices, with the pieces considered virtually elusive at this preservation level. 

 

3. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $ 322,000 (PCGS MS66, Bowers & Merena 2008)

The 1926-S Buffalo Nickel represents the undisputed key date of the entire Buffalo Nickel series. With only 970,000 pieces minted at the San Francisco Mint, this coin’s significance extends far beyond its low mintage.

What makes this specimen extraordinary is that nearly all 1926-S nickels went directly into circulation, resulting in extremely poor survival rates in uncirculated condition. In Gem MS65 grade, it ranks as the rarest non-variety Buffalo nickel and stands among the most important rarities of 20th-century American numismatics.

The series typically suffers from weak strikes with indistinct details on the Native American’s hair braids and the bison’s features, further complicating the challenge of finding high-grade examples. Historical records suggested no specimens graded above MS65, making this NGC MS66 example truly exceptional—tied for finest known.

The $322,000 realized price at the April 2008 Bowers & Merena auction established the auction record for this issue, reflecting its unparalleled rarity and importance in American numismatics.

Check 1926 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

4. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $281,750 (PCGS MS64, Bowers & Merena 2004)

The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel represents the most significant die variety within the entire Buffalo nickel series. This dramatic error occurred during die production when the hub shifted or rotated between impressions, causing the design to be duplicated on every coin struck from that die. The doubling is exceptionally prominent, visible to the naked eye, and most dramatic on the date and the Indian chief’s lips and chin.

The variety’s extraordinary value stems from its extreme rarity at uncirculated grade levels. Approximately 200 to 300 examples are known across all grades, but fewer than 15 Mint State specimens exist, with MS64 representing the finest certified grade—only three examples have achieved this designation.

Most surviving examples are concentrated in mid-range circulated grades between Fine and Extremely Fine, making the coin extremely scarce in About Uncirculated condition and virtually unobtainable in uncirculated grades.

The variety remained unrecognized until 1962, when California collector Herbert S. Perlin submitted photographs to Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, marking the first published documentation of this discovery.

The $281,750 realization at the 2004 Bowers & Merena auction established the benchmark for MS64 specimens, reflecting the variety’s status as the undisputed key doubled die in American nickel coinage and its position among the most important error varieties of the 20th century.

 

5. 1880 Shield Nickel

Record Price: $198,995 (PCGS MS66, eBay 2023)

The 1880 Shield Nickel represents one of the most significant rarities in American nickel coinage, distinguished by its extraordinarily limited production. Only 16,000 circulation strikes were produced in 1880, making it the rarest non-proof Shield nickel in the entire series.

PCGS has certified fewer than thirty Mint State examples of the 1880 Shield Nickel, with only two MS66 specimens certified—representing the finest known grade with none higher. This unique position at the apex of the population census makes it irreplaceable for advanced registry set competitors.

The Shield nickel series (1866-1883) presents significant condition challenges due to striking difficulties and die deterioration issues that plagued production throughout the series’ existence. Locating high-grade examples from any year proves challenging, but the combination of the 1880’s microscopic mintage and the series’ inherent quality problems creates extraordinary scarcity at Gem levels.

The $198,995 realization in January 2023 reflects not only the coin’s singular finest-known status but also strong demand from elite collectors competing for registry set supremacy, where this unique MS66 represents the only example capable of achieving top ranking.

 

6. 1913-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $143,750 (NGC MS68, Bowers & Merena 2008)

Among Buffalo nickel collectors, the inaugural year of 1913 holds special significance as it produced two distinct reverse types. This MS68 specimen, which brought $143,750 at auction, represents the pinnacle of preservation for the rarer Type 2 design from Denver.

When Buffalo nickels debuted in 1913, the original “Type 1” design placed the bison on a raised mound, but the reverse design had a relief of the mound that caused the inscription in that raised portion to wear off quickly in many buffalo nickels. The US Mint then changed the coin’s design to recess the denomination below the coin’s rim. This mid-year modification created the Type 2 variety, distinguishable by the bison standing on a line rather than elevated ground.

Denver Type 2 coins were quite low in mintage, with only 4,156,000 coins minted. Compare that to the Philadelphia Type 2 which saw nearly 30 million coins struck. This sevenfold production difference immediately established the 1913-D Type 2 as a key date.

At MS68, this coin represents museum-quality preservation rarely achieved for early Buffalo nickels. Most examples of this issue are decently struck. The luster for mint state coins, as is the case with most of the early Buffalos, is a satin grey. The $143,750 auction price reflects both the date’s inherent scarcity and this specimen’s extraordinary state of preservation.

Check 1913 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

7. 1917-S Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $138,000 (PCGS MS67, Heritage Auction 2008)

This 1917-S buffalo nickel, graded MS67 by NGC, holds the distinction of being the finest certified example by both major grading services, a title that commanded an impressive $138,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2008.

What makes this coin so extraordinary? The 1917-S is among the most challenging early S-mint Buffalo nickels, with fewer than 5,000 examples surviving in any grade. While most 1917-S nickels suffer from weak strikes and heavy die erosion, this specimen defies the odds. Despite showing evidence of advanced die state—including a die crack at 8 o’clock on the obverse—the design elements remain unusually sharp.

The coin’s surfaces displays smooth, satiny luster overlaid with delicate rose and lilac toning. In Gem condition, S-mint Buffalo nickels are consistently rarer than their Denver counterparts for every year from 1913 through 1928, making this MS67 example a true condition rarity.

For advanced collectors pursuing registry sets, owning the finest known example of any date is the ultimate achievement—and this coin represents exactly that pinnacle.

 

8. 1920-D Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $138,000 (PCGS MS67, Bowers & Merena 2008)

This 1920-D Buffalo Nickel represents one of the most extraordinary rarities in the entire Buffalo nickel series. The 1920-D is scarce in all grades, with even circulated examples above Fine to Very Fine proving difficult to locate. In Gem levels, it is actually rarer than most other Denver-mint issues in the series.

The coin’s remarkable $138,000 auction price reflects its unparalleled scarcity. Of the 9,418,000 originally struck, fewer than 5,000 survive in any grade, with less than 100 in MS65 or above. Only one coin is certified by NGC as MS67—this very piece.

For the 1920-D, even circulated examples graded Good-3 are worth around $15, rising to $900 in basic mint state and at least $5,750 in Gem condition. At MS67, this coin stands alone as the single finest known example—represents the absolute pinnacle for advanced Buffalo nickel collectors and registry set competitors.

Check 1920 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

9. 1867 Cameo Shield Nickel

Record Price: $132,250 (NGC PR66, Heritage Auctions 2004)

This 1867 Shield Nickel with Rays represents an original proof striking from February 8, 1867—and it’s breathtakingly rare.

With a minuscule total mintage of just 60 pieces struck, this coin stands among the rarest proof issues of the 19th century. What makes this particular specimen even more remarkable is that it appears to be from the original striking of about 25 proofs, with no more than 10 pieces believed to exist today. Later restrikes were made under Mint Director Henry Linderman, making original strikings like this exceptionally significant.

The $132,250 price reflects not just extreme rarity, but also outstanding quality. Grading PR66 Cameo, this coin displays unfathomable depth of mirrored reflectivity in the fields with snow-white mint frost on the devices, creating a pronounced cameo effect.

With no obvious contact marks, this specimen likely ranks as the finest known example. For serious collectors of Shield Nickels or proof coins, owning an original 1867 With Rays proof represents the pinnacle of the series—a true museum-quality treasure.

Check 1867 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

10. 1927-S Buffalo Nickel

Record Price: $125,350 (NGC MS66*, Bowers & Merena 2008)

The 1927-S Buffalo Nickel in NGC MS66* represents a confluence of extreme condition rarity and exceptional aesthetic quality. With only 3,430,000 pieces struck, the 1927-S is scarce even in circulated grades, rare in Mint State. This scarcity at premium grade levels stems from persistent striking deficiencies typical of 1920s San Francisco production, though the 1927-S exhibits marginally superior quality compared to earlier issues in the decade.

The NGC Star (★) designation substantially enhances the coin’s value and desirability. NGC awards the star exclusively to coins demonstrating exceptional eye appeal within their assigned grade, requiring full vibrant luster, freedom from distracting surface irregularities, and—for toned specimens—attractive coloration that enhances rather than obscures the coin’s features. This designation is exceptionally selective, awarded to fewer than 1% of eligible submissions, and typically commands approximately 35% premiums over non-star examples.

The $125,350 realization at Bowers & Merena’s April 2008 auction represents the numismatic marketplace’s recognition of this specimen’s dual distinction: MS66 ranks among the finest certified examples, with only MS66+ specimens grading higher.

The combination of profound condition rarity, superior technical preservation, and NGC-certified exceptional aesthetic appeal positions this coin at the apex of 1927-S Buffalo nickel collecting, making it a trophy piece for advanced specialists and registry set competitors.

Check 1927 Nickel History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

The most valuable nickels ever sold

That brings us to the end of our look at the most valuable nickels out there. Our list includes everything from early Shield nickels to interesting variants and errors.

The key to value is scarcity. So if you’ve got a nickel that’s unusual in some way, it could be worth a lot of money.

Happy collecting!