10 Nickels Worth More Than 5 Cents That May Be Hiding in Your Coin Jar

Believe it or not, there are plenty of valuable nickels out there that could just be taking up space in your coin jar. These five-cent pieces could be worth dramatically more than their face value depending on when and how they were made, and if they contain any unique imperfections.

Just make sure to examine each coin for the specific details and minting marks. Finding valuable nickels could become one way to supplement your income simply from looking more closely around your home.

Let's dig into 10 nickels that are worth way more than five cents.

To save nickel for WWII, the U.S. Mint produced nickels with 35% silver from mid-1942 to 1945. This makes coins minted from that era particularly rare.

Based on the silver used in the coins, the face value of one of those nickels can be as high as one dollar. If you have one in incredible condition, it could be worth over $36 or more.


These nickels were produced in low quantities at the Denver mint, making them scarce in circulation. Look for a clear "D" mint mark on the reverse, to the right of Monticello, which indicates it was made in the Denver mint.

This coin can be worth around $8.75 in good condition—quite a bit more than its original face value.

This is another low-mintage coin—the lowest of any post-war nickels, so keep a close eye out. Common in coin collections but hard to find in circulation, look for the "D" to the right of Monticello to signify the Denver mint.

Depending on the condition, this coin could be worth anywhere from $20 to $ 80.

The first year of what we now know as the common nickel was the year President Thomas Jefferson first appeared on the coin, replacing the Buffalo Nickel.

Since collectors love first-year issues, these coins are highly prized. Depending on condition, they can be worth anywhere from $3 to several hundreds.

This coin was produced in low quantities by the San Francisco mint and was the last nickel produced there until 1968.

Check for a 1954 year on your nickels to see if you're one of the lucky few who have it in possession. On average, this nickel will be worth around $2.25, but like with every coin on this list, the better the quality, the higher the price.

Turn over that 2005 nickel and look to see if there's a dramatic die gouge running through the bison's back, making it look like it's been speared.

Since this is such a striking and rare error, it's highly coveted by collectors. Coins in even moderate condition can be worth $50 or more.

Some 2016-P nickels were struck through grease, causing parts of the design—such as Jefferson's hair or the Monticello building—to appear faint or missing. You'll have to examine the coin closely to see whether this error is present.

If it is, the coin can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on the condition.

This coin exhibits a dramatic "clamshell" lamination error, where a portion of the coin's surface has peeled away due to improper bonding during the minting process. While impurities in the alloy most likely cause this, its rarity still matters to collectors.

Coins in near-mint condition have sold for $1015 at auction.

A die error may work to your advantage with this 2017 nickel. The obverse (front) die was misaligned during striking, resulting in the obverse design being off-center, often leading to a partial or missing rim on that side, while the reverse (back) remains properly centered.

This is a somewhat common error but still appeals to collectors. A coin with this misalignment can sell for $3 to $10, depending on the severity of the misalignment and its condition.

This coin exhibits a unique mint error where Jefferson's eye appears detached or missing on the obverse (front) side. This anomaly is likely due to a die chip or die deterioration during the minting process, resulting in its unusual appearance.

Despite being relatively new, this coin is worth around $8 in good condition.

Many nickels sitting in jars, drawers, or your spare change can be worth far more than five cents. This is especially true if they have silver content, low mintages, or striking errors like double dies or misaligned dies. Finding these gems in your pocket or change jar is a great way to make extra money online, as you can have the coins assessed and then sold, all with minimal effort.

According to the U.S. Mint, over 1.3 billion nickels were produced in 2023 alone, making it easy for mint errors to slip through and fall into circulation. If you're sorting through coins, pay attention to dates, mint marks, and odd visual features—even minor defects can make a nickel valuable to collectors.