Coin Value Finder » 2004 Nickel Value: are “P”, “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

2004 Nickel Value: are “P”, “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

If you are curious about the 2004 nickel series and have been aching to learn whether it is worth any money, this is the perfect guide. There are quite a few confusions around the 2004 nickel series related to their overall worth and the types or varieties that the series has. 

In this article, we are going to address all the questions that you may have around the 2004 nickel series and whether these are worth your investments or not. 

So, let’s get started without wasting any further time. 

2004 Nickel Details

Below are some of the essential details related to the 2004 Nickel

  • Category: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (mint mark ‘D’), San Francisco ( Proof)
  • Total Mintage: around 714,565,422
  • Obverse Designer: Felix Schlag
  • Reverse Designer: Alfred Maletsky
  • Edge: Plain or Smooth
  • Diameter: 21.21 mm
  • Thickness: 1.95 mm
  • Composition: Copper 75%, Nickel 25% 
  • Weight: 5 grams

Also Read: 15 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

2004 Nickel Value Chart

Mint Mark Extremely Fine MS63 MS65 MS67
2004 (P) Nickel Peace Medal $175 $0.28 $0.87 x
2004 D Nickel Peace Medal $375 $0.28 $0.87 x
2004 (P) Nickel Keelboat $325 $0.28 $0.87  
2004 D Nickel Keelboat $400 $0.28 $0.87  
2004 S Nickel Proof x x x $15-$25

2004 Nickel Value and Varieties Guides

Below are some of the varieties and their value in the market for the 2004 Nickel series. Although there are a total of four designs in this series, we are only discussing two of them because of their release date in the year 2004. 

2004 (P) Nickel Peace Medal Value

2004 (P) Nickel Peace Medal

  • Type: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Edge: Plain/Smooth
  • Mint Mark: P
  • Place of Minting: Philadelphia
  • Year of Minting: 2004
  • $ Price: 0.1 to 0.85 USD usually
  • Quantity Produced:  361,440,000
  • Designer/s: Felix Schlag (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (Reverse)

The general design of the 2004 nickel Philadelphia Mint is with the image of Thomas Jefferson appearing on the obverse side of the coin. The interesting aspect of this variation is the design on the reverse side which is indicative of honoring the Lewis and Clark journey to explore new territory. 

The design on the reverse side shows a handshake, and one of the hands represents President Thomas Jefferson, while the other represents Clark or Lewis. If you observe the reverse side more, you will find an image of American bison on a grass field. This is quite an interesting image to find on a Nickel coin, but it’s mainly to show how vital wildlife is to the native culture and how abundant it is.

Today, only a few of these coins remain in circulation. Usually, this coin’s price for the circulated condition can climb up to 0.1 cents for almost uncirculated quality. If you have an absolutely uncirculated one, it can also go up to 0.5 or 0.85. 

Additionally, you can also sell it for more than 175 USD, but that’s only for the highest graded quality and in pristine conditions (MS67). The 2004 Philadelphia Mint Nickel Peace Medal coins graded in MS 68 condition can fetch a good price. Coins in this grade are considered to be in near-perfect condition, with only a few minor imperfections. 

The coins that are graded in MS 67 condition tend to be a bit cheaper than those in the MS 68 grade. These coins are still in excellent condition but may have a few more minor imperfections than those in the MS 68 grade. The coins’ limited minting, coupled with their unique design, makes them highly sought after.

2004 D Nickel Peace Medal Value

2004 D Nickel Peace Medal

  • Type: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Edge: Plain/Smooth
  • Mint Mark:
  • Place of Minting: Denver
  • Year of Minting: 2004
  • $ Price: 0.1 to 0.87 USD usually
  • Quantity Produced:  372,000,000
  • Designer/s: Felix Schlag (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (Reverse)

They were issued with a special “Handshake” design and mint mark on the obverse. The reverse side featured the Denver Mint’s signature “shield and eagle” design.

The overall value for the 2004 Nickel series by Denver mint is also somewhat similar to the Philadelphia mint and can be from 0.1 (for circulated ones) to 0.85 USD (for uncirculated ones). But if you have a coin with an extra fine rating (MS67), then you can get $25 as well, and the 2004 Nickel by Denver mint can be sold for as high as 375 USD; the quality has to be pristine and premium. 

The highest graded 2004 Nickel Denver Mint Peace Medal coin is an MS68, and you can expect an even higher price for them, e.g. more than 8000 USD. The coins are widely regarded as a good investment and are also a great way to start a collection of U.S. commemorative coins. 

2004 (P) Nickel Keelboat Value

2004 (P) Nickel Keelboat

  • Type: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Edge: Plain/Smooth
  • Mint Mark: P
  • Place of Minting: Philadelphia 
  • Year of Minting: 2004
  • $ Price: 0.1 to 0.87 USD usually
  • Quantity Produced:  344,880,000
  • Designer/s: Felix Schlag (obverse), Al Maletsky (Reverse)

Compared to the other versions of the 2004 Nickel series, the Keelboat 2004 nickel carries more value in the eyes of collectors. One of the reasons for this popularity can be explained by its “comparative rarity.” Another aspect that may add to its appeal could be the overall historical importance that the keelboat holds. 

However, we can’t say that it is absolutely premium either because the 2004-2005 nickel series never climbed up to that success. But overall, the mints struck keelboat design for a very limited time and then changed the design, due to which it became comparatively rare and popular too. 

When assessing the overall value of the coin, the condition matters a lot. So, if you have an extremely fine quality, uncirculated keelboat 2004 nickel by Philadelphia mint, you can hope to sell it for as high as 325 USD. The price range for other varieties remains between 0.1 to 0.85 USD.

2004 D Nickel Keelboat Value

2004 D Nickel Keelboat

  • Type: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Edge: Plain/Smooth
  • Mint Mark:
  • Place of Minting: Denver
  • Year of Minting: 2004
  • $ Price: 0.1 to 0.87 USD usually
  • Quantity Produced:  344,880,000
  • Designer/s: Felix Schlag (obverse), Al Maletsky (Reverse)

If you have an extremely fine quality, uncirculated keelboat 2004 nickel by Denver mint, you can hope to sell it for as high as 400 USD or a little more. Although the price range for the circulated 2004 nickel keelboat design by both mints stays around 0.2 USD, and for average uncirculated ones, it’s around 0.85 USD. However, absolutely pristine uncirculated coins can be sold for more than $400 depending on their uniqueness and rarity. 

These coins are highly sought after by collectors and are not readily available in the market today. However, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has graded a number of these coins and the grades range from MS60 to MS68. Coins that grade MS68, which is the highest possible grade, are considered to be in excellent condition with no wear and no damage. MS67 coins are also considered to be in excellent condition, with only a few tiny imperfections visible.

The auction record for a 2004 Nickel Denver Mint Keelboat coin is an MS68 grade, sold by Heritage Auctions in February of 2016 for $940 with a PCGS price of $1,150.

2004 S Nickel Proof Value

2004 S Nickel Proof

  • Type: Westward Journey Nickel Series
  • Edge: Plain/Smooth
  • Mint Mark:
  • Place of Minting: San Francisco
  • Year of Minting: 2004
  • $ Price: $4.95
  • Quantity Produced:  2,992,069 (peace medal), 2,965,422 (keelboat),
  • Designer/s: Felix Schlag 

The San Francisco mint struck around 2,992,069 proof pieces for the Handshake design of the 2004 nickel series, and for the keelboat version, it produced around 2,965,422 coins. However, both can be sold for up to 9.14 USD. 

Generally, in proof condition, the coin can typically sell for more than $250 to as high as $20,000, depending on the quality of the coin. This coin is highly desirable among collectors, as it carries a historical significance and it is also valuable because of its limited mintage. 

MS-69, MS-68, and MS-67 grade coins are very sought after and command a fantastic price. Most will grade MS-63 or better and can range in price from around $200 to $20,000, depending on how well-preserved the coins are. 

Also Read: Top 110 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

History of the 2004 Nickel 

In the year 2004, the Philadelphia Mint produced a total mintage of 402,864,000, while the Denver mint struck a total of 420,240,000. These coins are also known by the title ‘Westward Journey Nickel Series,’ and the total series has four different designs, but only two of them were released in 2004, and the remaining two were released in 2005. The obverse designer is Felix Schlag, the reverse designer for the Handshake design is John Reich and for Keelboat, the design is Al Maletsky, and the reverse sculptor is Norman E. Nemeth. 

As mentioned earlier, this series was to present a tribute to the Clark and Lewis expedition. So, the first two designs (on the reverse) that came out by the US Mint were of Keelboat and Peace Medal (also known as Louisiana Purchase). The front side of these coins has the image of President Thomas Jefferson, and the designer was Felix Schlag, 1938. 

The inscriptions on the obverse side include ‘In God We Trust’, ‘LIBERTY’, and ‘2004’. While the inscriptions on the back include, ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’, ‘LOUSIANA PURCHASE’, ‘1803’, ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM’, and ‘FIVE CENTS’. 

In history, it was the very first time when the reverse (as opposed to the obverse) side of the coin was used for the purposes of commemoration. One of the variations showed an image of the peace medal, and another variation displayed the image of a keelboat. 

Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

2004 Nickel Grading

Grading is critical in determining the value and condition of a coin, so it is essential to understand the standards. 

The 2004 nickel coins are typically graded using the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70). The condition of the coin, including any scratches or wear, or even its errors or varieties can greatly impact its overall grade and value to collectors. 

For more details, here’s an interesting video to learn more about the 2004 Nickel grading.

List of 2004 Nickel Error

2004 saw the release of a few error coins from the United States Mint. These coins are rare mistakes that feature an unusual design, a double design, or a design that does not match the face of the coin. Each error coin is a small piece of history, giving you a glimpse of history that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The rareness of these coins makes them truly unique and valuable, and they are sure to be treasured by any collector. 

Below are a few errors found in the 2004 Nickel series:

  1. Die breaks or cracks
  2. Doubled dies
  3. Weak strikes
  4. Flattened details
  5. “Spitting bison” error
  6. Curved chin Jefferson profile variation
  7. “Peace Medal” reverse variation

Here’s an interesting video that tells you more about the 2004 nickel series errors.

Now, while these are considered errors or chance events while mints are producing the coin series, these do add a lot of value to the overall worth of a coin. This is because buyers are more interested in getting their hands on a coin that is unique or rare instead of getting a piece that’s similar to a thousand others. 

1. 2004 Nickel Die Break or Die Crack

2004 Nickel Die Break or Die Crack

This is quite a commonly found error in the 2004 Nickel series. One of the reasons that this error occurs is when the die is damaged and the coins are being stamped with that die, it ends up creating an irregularity in the final design. So, you can see the cracks or die breaks (because of using a damaged die) on the coin. These damages can be found on the hairline of Thomas Jefferson, around the faces of Clark and Lewis, or even on the rim of the coin. 

2. 2004 Nickel Doubled Dies 

2004 Nickel Doubled Dies 

This is another error that results because of an error during the minting process when the design is being stamped on the coin. The error is that the design gets stamped twice mistakenly! This may make the design a blurred-out image or an evidently double image. One of the most popular double die errors was found on Jefferson’s nose which appeared a little bit elongated because of design duplication. 

3. 2004 Nickel Weak Strikes

2004 Nickel Weak Strikes

There are also errors related to the overall strike quality and the finish of the coin. These errors relate to some weak or lighter strikes appearing on the coins or there are instances when few details or features don’t seem completely defined or are absolutely missing. Sometimes, there are also error instances when the coin has been struck with way more pressure than usual. 

2004 Nickel FAQ

1. Are the Lewis and Clark 2004 nickels really rare?

The 2004 nickel series was initiated in the recognition of the Westward journey by Lewis and Clark. Now, some people would like to think that these are one of the rarest coins because they were only in circulation for a total of about two years (2004, and 2005) but they aren’t premium at all and you can easily get your hand on one. 

2. How much is a 2004 handshake nickel worth?

If you are looking for the price of a circulated quality nickel, it’s going to be around 0.1 USD or 0.2 USD but the uncirculated quality nickel in an extra fine state can be for as much as 170 USD to 180 USD. 

3. How many different 2004 nickels are there?

Understandably, this is the most commonly asked question because people often feel confused about how many 2004 nickels there are really. There are a total of four different designs for the 2004 nickel series (this series also includes the 2005 nickels), and it is called the ‘Westward Journey Nickel Series.’ 

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