The 1955 nickel is a rare and valuable coin, making it a popular choice among collectors. The value of the 1955 nickel depends on its condition, with coins in good, fine, extremely fine or uncirculated condition being worth more than those that are heavily circulated.
This article will explore the history of the 1955 nickel and provide an overview of its features as well as any errors associated with this coin. We’ll also take a look at how much these coins are currently worth in today’s market so you can get an idea of what to expect when investing in one. Finally, we’ll discuss some tips for determining if your 1955 Jefferson Nickel is truly rare and valuable enough to make it worth your while!
Let’s dive in!
1955 Nickel Details
- Category: nickel
- Mints: Philadelphia and Denver
- Total mintage: 82,730,300
- Obverse designer: Felix Schlag
- Reverse designer: Felix Schlag
- Edge: plain
- Diameter: 21.2 millimeters (0.835 inches)
- Thickness: 1.95 millimeters (0.077 inches)
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 5 grams
The 1955 nickel was minted in two locations: the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. This nickel had a plain edge and weighed 5 grams with a diameter of 21.2 millimeters (0.835 inches) and a thickness of 1.95 millimeters (0.077 inches). The composition of this coin was 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Often referred to as the Jefferson nickel, this coin was designed by Felix Schlag who won a competition for the design of the obverse and reverse. The obverse features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing to the left, as well as a small “FS” directly below his collar to denote the designer’s initials. On the reverse is a depiction of Monticello, which was Jefferson’s home.
The 1955 nickel saw a total mintage of 82,730,300 coins, making it one of the least common nickels in circulation. As such, there are some rare coins associated with this date that can be considered valuable.
1955 Nickel Value Chart |
|||||
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1955 No Mint Mark nickel | – | – | – | $.1.15 to $23 | $21 |
| 1955 D nickel | – | – | – | $85 | n/a |
| 1955 D nickel – D Over S | – | – | – | $40 to $230 | n/a |
1955 Nickel Values and Varieties Guides
1955 “No Mint Mark” Nickel Value
- Type: nickel
- Edge: plain
- Mint mark: none
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting: 1955
- Face value: $0.05
- $ price: $0.05 to $23
- Quantity produced: 8,266,200
- Designer: Felix Schlag
The 1955 “No Mint Mark” nickel is a fairly rare coin that was minted in Philadelphia without a mint mark. It has an estimated mintage of around 8,266,200 coins and can be worth anywhere a range of values depending on the condition of the coin.
In “Good” condition, “Fine” condition, and “Extremely Fine” condition, it is worth its face value (five cents).
When you reach “Uncirculated” condition, it can be worth as little as $1.15 and as much as $23. Or, like one lucky seller discovered, if it’s nearly perfect in its condition, it could sell for a lot more at auction – over $2,800 in their case.
There were Proof coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint this year as well. These coins are generally worth more than their face value, about $21, depending on their condition. But one with an extremely high grade and lots of definition did sell at auction for about $5,700, so you just never know what will happen!
1955 “D” Nickel Value
- Type: nickel
- Edge: plain
- Mint mark: D
- Place of minting: Denver
- Year of minting: 1955
- Face value: $0.05
- $ price: $0.05 to $85
- Quantity produced: 74,464,100
- Designer: Felix Schlag
The 1955 “D” nickel is the most common of the 1955 nickels and was minted in Denver with a “D” mint mark. However, it also has a higher value than the 1955 Philadelphia minted nickel.
It has an estimated mintage of around 74,464,100 coins and can be worth anywhere from its face value of five cents – which is what you will find in coins that are in “Good,” “Fine,” and “Extremely Fine” condition – up to $85 in “Uncirculated” condition.
One nearly perfect coin did sell at auction for a lot more, however – about $6,000!
1955 “D” Nickel Value – D Over S Variety
- Type: nickel
- Edge: plain
- Mint mark: D
- Place of minting: Denver
- Year of minting: 1955
- Face value: $0.05
- $ price: $40 to $230
- Quantity produced: n/a
- Designer: Felix Schlag
The 1955 “D” nickel “D Over S” is a rare variety coin. No one knows how many were actually minted this way, but when it’s found in great condition, it can be worth a lot more than the other varieties.
With the “D Over S” nickels, they were originally minted with an “S” for the mint mark and then changed later to a “D” mint mark. In other words, this particular coin error is caused by an incorrectly punched die, resulting in a faint “S” appearing beneath the “D” mint mark.
These coins in “Uncirculated” condition can be worth between $40 and $230! That is, unless you sell it at an auction – then you might receive $3,700 like one lucky seller did! Not too bad for a little ol’ Jefferson nickel.
Also Read: 15 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money
History of the Nickel
The nickel has been part of the United States currency since the mid-1800s, when it was introduced as a five-cent coin. The original design featured a shield on one side. The second design featured Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the other. This design lasted until 1913, when James Earle Fraser designed an image of a Native American man on one side and a buffalo on the other.
Lastly, German immigrant Felix Schlag designed a nickel with Thomas Jefferson for the obverse and Monticello for the reverse. He was paid $1,000 for the design and it has been used for many, many years. This coin design was first released in 1938, and with some minor modifications over time, is still heavily in circulation today.
The United States Mint did change the obverse and reverse design fully in 2005, though it still includes a different version of President Jefferson on the obverse (front). The reverse of the coin varies depending on the year and whatever historical event America is currently commemorating.
With all of that said, 1955 nickels are often referred to as “Jefferson nickels” because of their depiction of former president Thomas Jefferson on their obverse side. They have become popular collector’s items due to their low cost and interesting history, making them excellent investments for those who are looking to get into coin collecting.
Also Read: Top 110 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money
1955 Nickel Grading
Coins are graded based on the condition they are in. Coins that have no wear and look brand new are called “Uncirculated” coins and can be worth more money. Coins that show a bit of wear and tear but still look good are called “Good,” “Fine,” or “Extremely Fine,” varying by degree.
More specifically, coins in “Good” condition will have quite a bit of wear on both the obverse and reverse, yet will usually still be somewhat recognizable. Coins in “Fine” condition will show less wear than coins that are “Good,” and will be a little more recognizable. Lastly, coins in “Extremely Fine” condition will have only light wear and should look almost like new.
In order to get your 1955 nickel graded, you will need to take it to a coin grading service. Two of the most common coin grading services are PCGS and NGC. PCGS stands for Professional Coin Grading Service, while NGC stands for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
At either of these coin grading services, they will grade your 1955 nickel coin and give you a more accurate idea of its worth based on its condition. However, be aware that you will have to pay a fee for this service, so be sure that you want to pay the cost – especially considering your nickel may not be worth as much as you pay for the grading.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money
1955 Nickel Error Coins
Collectors and investors alike value certain coins more than others, depending on their condition. This includes error coins.
What are error coins, you may be asking? Sometimes, errors are made during the minting process, and this can result in an unusual coin. Errors in coins can increase the value of a coin significantly, and this is true for 1955 nickels as well.
Let’s dig into some errors found in 1955 nickels.
1955 “No Mint Mark” Nickel Proofs – Triple Struck Error
One of the most interesting errors to look for in your 1955 nickel triple striking in the “No Mint Mark” nickel Proofs. This error occurred when the coin was triple-struck on the reverse side, and as a result, it appears that the lettering on this particular nickel appears three times – all on top of each other. Note that this error can probably only be well seen under a coin microscope.
These coins are incredibly rare and can fetch decent prices at auction. In fact, one of these coins was sold for over $50 at an auction a few years back.
1955 “No Mint Mark” Nickel Proof – Double Struck Error
The 1955 “No Mint Mark” nickel Proof also has a double-struck error. This is when the coin was struck twice on one side, creating a doubling effect. The lettering and images on this type of nickel will appear slightly blurred or out of focus.
These coins are also rare and can fetch good money at auction and can be worth around $50 to $60.
1955 Nickel Frequently Asked Questions
The 1955 nickel is a popular coin for collectors due to its interesting history and design. Now that we’ve gone over the history, value, and errors of the 1955 nickel, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about these coins.
What is a 1955 Nickel Worth?
The answer to this question depends on the mint mark and condition of your 1955 nickel. If it’s in excellent uncirculated condition, then it can be worth anywhere from $40 – $230, generally speaking. If it is in lower condition, such as “Good,” “Fine,” or “Extremely Fine,” then it will likely only be worth face value (five cents) unless there is a unique error on the coin.
Are 1955 Nickels Rare?
No. 1955 nickels are not really considered to be super rare, unless they are error coins. While they are over 60 years old, there are still many of them in circulation. However, they are indeed fewer in number than some other dates for Jefferson nickels, so they are not exceedingly abundant either. If you have any 1955 nickels with errors, then it could be worth hundreds of dollars!
What is the Most Valuable 1955 Nickel?
The most valuable 1955 nickel is likely the “D Over S” variety – that is, if it is in mint condition. As we mentioned before, coins in this grade can be worth around $230, or really, even more if they are sold at auction and get caught in a bidding war. Also, these coins can be worth quite a bit more still if any other errors are also present.
Should I Clean My 1955 Nickel?
Not unless you are a professional coin expert. Cleaning coins can damage them, and make their value go down significantly. If you really want to clean your 1955 nickel, then it is best to consult an expert first, but know that you will likely not get the price you are hoping to fetch if you then try to sell that coin at market.
Conclusion
Overall, the 1955 nickel is a great coin for collectors of all levels. It has a rich history and can be an interesting and valuable coin to collect. Its value can range widely depending on its condition, but even in the worst condition it still has some intrinsic value (even if it is face value). There are also a few rare errors out there which can make this coin’s value rise.
So keep your eyes open and be sure to check your change for these little gems! With an understanding of its history, features, obverse and reverse designs as well as its grading scale – and with a little bit of luck – you might stumble upon one of these coins, get an incredible deal on it, and begin to build up your collection.
Happy collecting!
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