Often old coins like the Jefferson nickels are worth more than their face value.
Sometimes old coins in excellent condition can sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars, according to My Jar.
However, not all Jefferson dollars, even the older ones, are worth significant amounts of money.
So how do you know which nickels are worth holding onto?
Nickels from different years have different values attached to them, depending on their scarcity.
In this article, we focus on the 1941 nickel value.
You will find information on all the three mint varieties of the 1941 nickel together with background information on these coins.
Whether you’re a coin collector or looking to invest, consulting with a precious metals company can provide valuable insights into the worth and potential of rare coins like the 1941 nickel.
1941 Nickel Values
Regular strike nickels from 1941 were minted at three different mint facilities and all three mint varieties have different valuations.
Their valuations depend on factors such as how common they are and what condition they are in.
In 1941, there was also a fourth variety, which was the proof coin minted in Philadelphia.
The prices listed below for the 1941 nickel are the valuations at the time of writing.
Coin values can change over time, so when you are buying or selling coins, you should always check the latest price information.
With so much information on coins available online, it is easy to research coin valuations.
You can use websites such as the Coin Value Checker, to search for the coin you are looking to buy or sell.
When you know the latest valuations and sold prices, you will know how to price your 1941 nickel correctly and what is a reasonable amount to pay for one.
| Mint Facility | Mintage | About circulated | MS60/ PR60 | MS65 |
| Philadelphia | 203,265,000 | $0.50 – $0.90 | $1.20 | $25 |
| Denver | 53,432,000 | $1.20 – $1.75 | $2.50 | $15 |
| San Francisco | 43,445,000 | $1.50 – $2.10 | $2.70 | $25 |
| Philadelphia Proof | 18,720 | $20 | $75 |
1941 No Mint Mark Nickel Value
In 1941, the Philadelphia Mint produced 203, 265, 009 nickels.
Because so many were released into circulation, more than either of the other two mint facilities, the coins are still easy to find in circulated conditions despite their age.
The Philadelphia-produced coins are often referred to as ”no mint mark” coins because, unlike the other two varieties, there is no mint mark on the coins.
In about circulated condition, 1941 no mint mark nickels are worth $0.50 to $0.90.
At MS60, the 1941 Jefferson nickels are worth approximately $1.20.
However, at MS65, you could already be looking at $25 and $500 for a coin graded as MS68.
1941-D Nickel Value
The Denver nickels minted in 1941, can be identified from the capital letter D known as the mint mark.
There were 53,432,000 Jefferson nickels struck at the Denver Mint facility in 1941.
At lower grades, they are worth more than the Philadelphia nickels. AU-graded coins are worth between $1.20 – $1.75.
However, at MS65, they are valued lower at €15, and at MS67 you can expect to pay around $70 for them.
They are not priced as high as the Philadelphia coins at higher grades, because they are easier to find at these grades.
1941-S Nickel Value
The third mint facility to produce 1941 Jefferson nickels for circulation was the San Francisco Mint, producing 43,445,000 nickels.
This was the lowest mintage among the three facilities. San Francisco nickels, with the mint mark S, are worth between $1.50 and $2.10 when graded as about circulated.
At MS60, they sell for about $2.70, MS65 is valued at $25, and MS67 at $250.
1941 Proof Nickel Value
Often, the US Mint has used the San Francisco mint facility to produce proof coins but in 1941, the proof nickels were struck at Philadelphia.
Proof coins are different from coins meant for circulation.
They are produced using special blank coins and sold for collectors.
In 1941, the Philadelphia Mint produced just 18,720 proof coins.
Despite the low mintage, at lower proof grades, the coins are very moderately priced with PR60 1941 nickels valued at $20 and PR65 at $75.
The valuations are not high because proof nickels from 1941 are not considered very rare in these grades.
However, a proof coin graded as PR68 can be worth $10.000 because there are not many of them left at this grade.
Full Steps 1941 Nickel Value
When looking at the value of 1941 Jefferson nickels, we also need to look at the value of the coins with full steps.
These are coins with either five or six full steps in front of the building depicted on the reverse side.
To check if you have a coin with full steps, you will need to look at them with a magnifying glass as you are unlikely to spot the difference with the naked eye.
The Denver-minted nickels with full steps are valued the highest at $8,250 for MS68-graded coins.
Philadelphia nickels with full steps are worth around $5,000 and San Francisco nickels $3,250.
The valuation is higher if the nickel has six full steps, but those with five full steps are still valued higher than coins where the number of steps is not clear.
Auction Records for 1941 Nickels
When researching the value of a 1941 nickel, or any other coin, it is also interesting to look at auction records.
However, while coins can attract higher prices at auctions than they are valued at, it is important to remember that there are times when they sell for less than their guide price or do not sell at all.
A lot depends on how much the collectors want to compete for the coin.
The highest record among regular strike 1941 nickels belongs to a Philadelphia MS68-graded nickel that sold for $2,875.
The second highest price has been achieved with a San Francisco nickel that sold for $1,900 and was graded as MS67.
The record for a Denver nickel is just $575, achieved with an MS67-graded coin.
The auction record for a proof coin is $18,800.
Auction Records for 1941 Nickels with Full Steps
The auction records for 1941 nickels with full steps are higher than other regular strike coins.
For a 1941 no mint mark nickel graded as MS67, the record is $5,175, and for a San Francisco full-steps nickel, also graded as MS67, it is $8,913.
The highest record to date has been achieved with a Denver nickel. Graded as MS68, it sold for $11,400.
1941 Nickel Background
In 1941, the three mint facilities produced 300,160,720 nickels in total, including the proof coins.
They are often called Jefferson nickels because of his portrait on the reverse.
The portrait of President Jefferson was first used on the nickel in 1948 when it replaced the Buffalo nickel.
The design of the nickel stayed the same until 2004.
In 1941, the nickels were made with 75% of copper and 25% of nickel.
The coins weigh 5 g and have a diameter of 21,2 mm with a thickness of 1.95 mm. The 1941 nickels are round coins and have a plain edge.
The Obverse of the 1941 Nickel
On the obverse of the 1941 nickel, is the portrait of President Jefferson facing to the left.
The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is inscribed in front of the portrait and the word LIBERTY is behind it. Below the word LIBERTY, along the rim of the coin, is the minting date of 1941.
The Reverse of the 1941 Nickel
The reverse of the 1941 nickel coins depicts Jefferson’s home in Virginia. The image stretches from one edge of the coin to the other and its name MONTICELLO is below the image.
Above the image of Monticello is the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM:
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA curve along the bottom rim of the coin with the denomination FIVE CENTS inscribed above.
On the Denver and San Francisco nickels, the mint mark, either a capital D or S, is to the right of the coin.
he 1941 nickel has different values depending on the mint mark and the state grade of the coin.
For instance, Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco nickels may cost a few cents for circulated coins and can cost anything from a few dollars up to ten dollars for uncirculated coins and those with proof, full steps among others.
If you want to be detailed in your approach regarding the value of your coins, there are sites such as Coin Value Checker.
For more information and guidelines on grading and valuing coins, and writing your Online Essay, please go to https://essayzoo.org/.
Coin Grading
Coins are all graded using a scale known as the Sheldon scale which uses letters and numbers to indicate the condition of the coin.
The numbers of the scale run from 1 to 70 with 1 used for coins that are in poor condition and 70 for coins that are in perfect condition.
Proof coins still use an alpha-numeric scale but are graded separately from regular coins.
If you are looking to buy a highly-priced 1941 nickel, you should check that it has been professionally graded.
On the other hand, if you think you may own a valuable 1941, for example, a nickel with full steps, consider getting it officially graded for an accurate valuation.
Conclusion
Jefferson nickels from 1941 can be valuable coins when found in higher grades.
The finest specimens have sold for thousands of dollars at auctions.
However, circulated coins that show heavy wear and tear are rarely worth much more than their face value.
Before you buy or sell 1941 nickels, always do your research to find the most accurate value for your coin.
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