1976 Nickel Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

Nickels are an iconic part of the U.S. currency, and 1976 is an interesting year for these coins. The 1976 nickel also features some unique design elements that make it stand out from other years’ coins.

In this article, we’ll explore the 1976 nickel’s history, features, value, and more to give you a better understanding of why this coin is considered rare and valuable. We’ll also discuss how to tell if your 1976 nickel has any errors or special qualities that could increase its worth even further!

So read on to learn all about 1976 nickels and their potential value!

1976 Nickel Details

• Category: nickel
• Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
• Total mintage: 933,933,597
• 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 1976 nickel is part of the Jefferson nickel series, which was first introduced in 1938. 1976 nickels feature a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, facing left, and his estate Monticello on the reverse. 1976 was also the year that marked the completion of America’s bicentennial celebration, making this coin especially significant for collectors.

With nearly one billion coins minted in 1976, these nickels are not especially rare. But because of their age and historical significance, 1976 nickels are still worth more than face value.

1976 Nickle Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated	Proof
1976 No Mint Mark nickel	–	–	–	$0.38 to $3.38	n/a
1976 D nickel	–	–	–	$0.38 to $3.38	n/a
1976 S nickel	–	–	–	–	$2.88

1976 Nickel Values and Varieties Guides

1976 “No Mint Mark” Nickel Value

• Type: nickel
• Edge: plain
• Mint mark: none
• Place of minting: Philadelphia
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $0.05 to $3.38
• Quantity produced: 367,124,000
• Designer: Felix Schlag

1976 nickels with no mint marks were produced only at the Philadelphia Mint and are among some of the most sought-after coins in this series. In “Good” condition, 1976 “No Mint Mark” nickels can be worth face value, which is five cents. In “Fine” condition, these coins are also worth five cents. 1976 nickels in “Extremely Fine” condition are also worth face value.

In “Uncirculated” condition, 1976 “No Mint Mark” nickels can be worth anywhere from $0.38 to as much as $3.38.

1976 “D” Nickel Value

• Type: nickel
• Edge: plain
• Mint mark: D
• Place of minting: Denver
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $0.05 to $3.38
• Quantity produced: 563,964,147
• Designer: Felix Schlag

1976 “D” nickels were struck at the Denver Mint and can also be worth more than face value in certain conditions. 1976 “D” nickels in “Good” condition are worth five cents, while those in “Fine” condition are also worth five cents. 1976 “D” nickels in “Extremely Fine” condition are also still only worth their face value.

However, 1976 “D” nickels in “Uncirculated” condition can be worth from $0.38 up to $3.38.

1976 “S” Nickel Value

• Type: nickel
• Edge: plain
• Mint mark: S
• Place of minting: San Francisco
• Year of minting: 1976
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $2.88
• Quantity produced: 2,845,450
• Designer: Felix Schlag

1976 “S” nickels are among the rarest coins in this series. This is mainly because all of the “S” mint mark nickels from 1976 are considered Proof coins.

Proof coins are made differently than regular coins and have a much higher level of detail. They are mainly made for collectors and are not produced for business circulation.

For this reason, 1976 “S” nickels are worth more than face value. In “Uncirculated” condition, they are worth about $2.88.

Also Read: 15 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

History of the 1976 Nickel

The nickel has a long and interesting history, stretching all the way back to 1866 when Congress established it as a denomination for the United States Mint. Except at that time, it was referred to as a five cent piece.

Their images have changed over time. First, there was the Shield nickel, then the Liberty Head nickel, then the Buffalo nickel, and finally the Jefferson nickel.

The first Jefferson nickels were produced in 1938 and featured a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his estate, Monticello, on the reverse. The first year of issue was also made in commemoration of Jefferson’s 200th birthday anniversary.

The Jefferson design was created by sculptor Felix Schlag, a German immigrant and American citizen who won a $1,000 prize for his design. He also designed the reverse of the 1976 nickel, which was his last design for a U.S. coin.

No doubt about it – the 1976 nickel is an iconic part of American coinage.

Also Read: Top 110 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

1976 Nickel Grading

When it comes to 1976 nickels, the condition of the coin is essential for determining its value. The most commonly used grading system for U.S. coins is the Sheldon Scale, which consists of grades from 1-70.

Grades range from “Good” up to “Uncirculated”. In between those grades, you’ll find “Fine,” and “Extremely Fine,” among a few others.

Most circulated 1976 nickels will fall into the lower end of this scale and may be worth face value or slightly more in higher grades. For uncirculated specimens, collectors can expect to pay a premium above face value as they are considered more valuable due to their near-perfect condition and lack of wear and tear from circulation. However, as we have already discovered in this blog post, most 1976 “Uncirculated” nickels are still only worth a few dollars, due to their relatively young age and commonality.

Other things that can affect a nickel’s value would include any errors found on the coin or if it had a particularly interesting provenance to it.

Lists of 1976 Nickel Error Coins

Lastly, there are also some rare errors that can be found on 1976 nickels. You may wonder what an error coin is. An error coin is simply a coin that has been struck in some way that makes it different from normal coins. These errors can range from off-center strikes, double-strikes, incorrect planchets, and so much more.

Overall, 1976 nickels are relatively common and can be found in circulation today, but some varieties may be more valuable depending on their condition or any errors they may have. Therefore, if you think that you have a rare variety, do not hesitate to get it authenticated and graded by a professional third party grading service.

The 1976 nickel is no exception, as there have been some known errors in this series. Let’s look at a few!

1976 Nickel – Full Steps Variety

While this isn’t really an error, a 1976 nickel with full steps on Monticello is a very valuable coin that is worth noting! Coins with full steps have all the fine details of Monticello that can be found around the base of the building, whereas other versions of this coin have a lower relief and thus, not all of the steps on the building are clearly defined.

You can most often find the full steps on nickels with the “D” mint mark. One such coin sold at an auction not too long ago for $210.

It would have been worth thousands if the mint grade had been pristine! For example, another 1976 nickel, this time a “No Mint Mark” from Philadelphia, with a pristine grade and full steps sold for about $4,000! Not bad for a five cent piece.

1976 Nickel – Curved Clip and Broad Strike Error

One of the most interesting errors found on a 1976 nickel is the curved clip error. A clip occurs when part of the planchet (blank metal disc) breaks off. Another popular error for 1976 nickels is a broad strike, which results in a raised rim around the edges of both sides of a coin and also includes blurred lettering that appears stretched and squashed.

This coin sold recently at auction for $140.

1976 Nickel – Double Struck Error

The 1976 nickel also saw an interesting double strike error. This occurs when a coin is struck twice, leaving two distinct impressions on either side of the coin.

This particular example was also not a perfect circle, but deformed into an “8” shape instead. It sold recently at auction for $80.

1976 Nickel – Struck Off Center Error

Next, 1976 nickels can also find their way into the hands of collectors with an off-center strike error. This is when the coin has been struck by the hammer die but it does not land in the middle, leaving design off-center and part of it missing from the coin.

One such coin recently surfaced, this one with a severely off center strike – 75% off center! Not to mention, the coin was graded very high, which adds to the value. This particular example sold for $60 at auction, and another 1976 nickel stuck 65% off center also sold for about $60.

1976 Nickel – Struck on a Ten Cent Planchet Error

Another odd error is one when a coin is struck on a planchet from a different denomination of coin! This occurs when the wrong size blank metal disc is fed into the machine to be struck. These tend to be worth a lot of money simply because of the uniqueness of the coin.

Thus, you will find these coins seemingly larger or smaller than normal and not the same thickness either.

One such nickel from 1976 was struck on a ten cent planchet (a dime) instead of a regular nickel, making it smaller and thinner than it should have been. This coin recently sold at auction for a whopping $500!

1976 Nickel – Struck on a Five Cent Planchet Error

Last but not least, there is an error that sees some 1976 nickels struck on a five cent planchet (a penny) instead of the normal nickel size! This of course makes them much smaller and thinner than they are supposed to be. Not to mention, a penny planchet means that the Jefferson nickel is coppery red instead of the normal silvery nickel.

This example was recently bought at auction for $230!

Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

1976 Nickel FAQs

Now that we have discussed 1976 nickels in detail, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about them.

What is the value of a 1976 nickel?

The value of a 1976 nickel depends on its condition and any errors it may have. A circulated example is generally worth face value while an uncirculated specimen can be worth a few dollars more. As far as rare varieties with errors, those can range from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars depending on their rarity and grade.

How Do I Know if My 1976 nickel is worth money?

Yes, some varieties of 1976 nickels can be worth money. While most circulated examples are only worth face value, uncirculated specimens or any rare varieties with errors are considered valuable and can fetch high prices from collectors. It’s important to note that many common varieties still hold some numismatic value, so if you think you may have a rare variety it is best to get it authenticated and graded by a professional third party grading service.

Are 1976 nickels rare?

Generally speaking, no – 1976 nickels are not considered rare. However, there are some rare errors that were discovered in this series which can be quite valuable. If you are looking to add a 1976 Jefferson nickel to your collection, it is best to do some research and find the rare varieties that you think may be most valuable.

Should I Clean My 1976 Nickel Before Getting it Graded?

No, it is not recommended to clean your 1976 nickel before getting it authenticated and graded by a professional third party grading service. Cleaning coins can actually do more harm than good, so it’s best to leave them untouched.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although they are a relatively young coin, 1976 nickels can be a great addition to any collection. Whether you’re looking for a nice circulating piece or an ultra-rare error variety, these coins have something for everyone! While most circulated examples are only worth face value, some higher graded specimens or any rare varieties with errors are still considered valuable by collectors.

So if you think you may have a rare example of this coin, don’t hesitate to get it authenticated and graded by a professional third party grading service. Happy collecting!

Do you have a 1976 nickel in your collection? Let us know about it in the comments below.