1952 Nickel Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1952 nickel is a very attractive coin, also known as the Jefferson nickel, because it features the image of the beloved Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. However, the question is: Does this coin have any value?

The 1952 nickels were not made of silver or gold; hence they do not have significant melt value. Also, the total mintage number of these coins is relatively high, which means you can find them easily.

Despite their high availability, certain specimens in this series are valuable and can cost a small fortune!

1952 Nickel Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Extra Fine	MS 65/PR 65	MS 67 /PR 67
1952 No Mint Mark Nickel Value	$0.05	$0.60	$10-$20	$100-$300
1952 D Nickel Value	$0.05	$0.90	$10- $20	$100 -$300
1952 S Nickel Value	$0.05	$0.80	$10-$60	$100 or higher
1952 Proof Nickel Value	/	/	$20-$70	$40-$100 or higher

1954 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

The Jefferson nickel is one of the coins minted to this day; however, the design saw numerous changes over time. It was first produced from 1938 to 1964 with the original design, after replacing the Buffalo nickel, which had been coined for 25 years.

Since coin designs are changed every 25 years, it marked the time for a new design.

In late January 1938, the US Mint launched a competition for the new nickel design for a $1,000 prize. Over 300 sculptors and engravers entered the competition, and the winner was Felix Schlag, a German-born designer that had arrived in the US nine years before.

The competition also had clear instructions about the design: the coins obverse should depict the image of Thomas Jefferson, while the obverse should feature his mansion, Monticello.

Although Schlag’s design was chosen as the best one in the competition, the US Mint wanted to modify his original design. The lettering Schlag chose was considered obsolete, and the US Mint wanted a more modern look for the coin.

Furthermore, his original design depicted a palm tree next to his house Monticello, which was deemed unrealistic by the US Mint officials who believed that it was unlikely that he had been growing such a tree.

The officials contacted Schlag with their requests for several changes, and the designer responded in June of 1938, delivering the design we know today.

As noted, the obverse depicts Jefferson’s bust facing left, and the design is relatively simplistic.

The American motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is struck to his left side along the coin’s rim, while the capitalized inscription “LIBERTY” is on his right side, also struck alongside the rim. Next to this inscription is the mintage year “1952.”

The reverse features the image of Jefferson’s house Monticello and underneath this architectural masterpiece is the capitalized inscription “MONTICELLO.” Interestingly, Monticello means hillock or little mountain in Italian and is special for numerous reasons.

Besides being the house of the third president, it was primarily a slave plantation house that Jefferson designed, combining neoclassical lines and designs established by the Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

Above the image of the house is the second American motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” which translates to “Out of many, one.”  Underneath the “MONTICELLO” inscription, the denomination is stretched as “FIVE CENTS.”On the lower rim is placed the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Talking of the coins details, the weight of the 1932 nickel is 5 grams or 0.17637 ounces, while the diameter is 20.20 millimeters. The metal composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel. The coin’s face value is $0.05, and the edge is plain.

The 1952 nickel was produced in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The total mintage number is 115,198,000, which is relatively high and explains why many of these coins are available today, especially in circulated condition.

The Philadelphia Mint struck 63,988,000 Jefferson nickels in 1952, making it the highest mintage in the series. These coins do not have a mint mark, although later versions of this coin do have a “P” mint mark.

Their value in the circulated condition is low, and they cost from $0.05 to $1.70, depending on the level of preservation.

These coins can be very valuable; in MS 64, the 1952 No Mint Mark nickel is worth between $7 and $30, while in MS 65, the price ranges between $10 and $30. However, if you have a 1952 No Mint Mark nickel in MS 66 or MS 66+, it can reach nearly $300.

On the other hand, it is also common for these specimens to be sold for around $90 in MS 66. If you commonly attend auctions, you probably know they are a relatively unstable market where customers can dictate prices depending on their idea of the product’s worth.

The highest auction record for the 1952 No Mint Mark in 67+ nickel is $4,000. In high-mint states, such as 68 or MS 68, they can be very valuable because the number of these specimens in excellent condition is very low.

1952 D Nickel Value

The Denver Mint produced 30, 638,000 nickels in 1952, the second-highest mintage in the series. Compared to 1952 No Mint Mark nickel, the 1952 D nickel has more value mainly because of the difference in mintage number.

The nickels produced in Denver have a D mint mark, located on the reverse on the right side of the Monticello. The 1952 D nickel is worth its face value in lower grades, which is $0.05, but in higher grades, it can reach the price of $3 or higher.

According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), the value of the 1952 D nickel in MS 66 can range between $9 and $15. Specimens in MS 67 or higher can cost between $100 and $300.

The auction record for the 1952 D in MS 67 nickel is $16,460, which is a hefty sum for a tiny nickel.

1952 S Nickel Value

The San Francisco Mint had the lowest mintage in the series- 20,572,000. These nickels have an S mint mark on the left side of Monticelli. These coins in lower grades and even in excellent condition are worth between $0.05 and $0.90.

Although many collectors like to have this nickel, they do not have great value in circulated conditions, and many will not pay over their face value. However, if you have the 1952 S nickel in an uncirculated condition or a mint state, expect to get between $1.30 and $5.

However, in an auction, you can get more than $5, depending on the condition. For example, the 1952 S nickel in MS 64 was sold for $10.

In MS 65 and MS 65+, the price for the 1952 S nickel ranges between $10 and $60, while the same specimen in MS 67 costs around $100. The auction record for the 1952 S nickel was set in 2007- the collector paid an astonishing $9,500.

1952 Proof Nickel Value

The Philadelphia Mint also struck proof coins in 1952-81,980 proof nickels, which do not have a mint mark. As it goes with proof coins, they are almost always sought-after and valuable, which is why collectors like to have them.

The proof coins are made differently from the regular coins intended for circulation. They usually have a shiny luster, high-quality strike, excellent toning, and details. Similarly to circulated coins, the proofs are graded on the Sheldon scale, which assigns grades from 1 to 70.

They are preceded by the PR or PF instead of MS or other grades, which you generally see when checking the grade of a coin. The proofs are graded from 60 through 70 due to their high quality.

The 1952 proof nickels are worth around $17, depending on the grade. In PR 65 or PR 65+, the 1952 proof nickel can reach a price between $20 and $70. In PR 67, the 1952 proof nickel is worth between $40 and $100.

1952 Nickel Grading

The process of grading coins is related to the coin’s condition, which is established in accordance with several factors. When grading coins, numismatists assign a numeric value to them. However, coin grading can be subjective; the collectors and experts often disagree on value.

1952 Nickel Rare Error List

When it comes to the errors found in 1952 nickels, there are several, some of which inflate the coin’s value. Generally, defects on coins are usually a result of improper use of minting equipment or malfunctions during production.

Either way, most of them change the coin’s appearance and, most importantly, boost its price. Let’s check some of those rare defects!

1952 Nickel Double Die Error

Double-die error happens due to a faulty manufacturing process in which the working die is struck twice on the coins resulting in a doubling effect.

The double die is a very valuable coin error, and it usually occurs on Jefferson’s eye or the inscription “MONTICELLO” and the denomination.

Depending on the coin’s grade and condition, the 1952 nickel with double die error can cost between $30 and $50.

Ultimately, the coin’s level of preservation will play a major role. Therefore, if you think you might have a valuable coin, it is best to have it graded by a professional agency.

1952 Nickel Struck on a Cent Planchet Error

In coin production, it occasionally happens that the coin is struck on the wrong planchet, and in this case, it is the cent planchet. You should be happy if you find the 1952 nickel with this error!

Collectors like to have rare errors such as these, and not many of the 1952 nickels have been struck on a cent planchet! The 1952 nickel in MS 63 BN was sold for $600.

1952 Nickel Double-Struck Error

As noted, most of these errors happen due to some issue that occurs in the manufacturing process. The same goes for the double-struck error, which is pretty self-explanatory. This error emerges when the coin is struck twice, and the second strike happens at a different angle.

In other words, the coin was not fully ejected between the die before it was struck for the second time, resulting in an error.

This error can differ, and coins can be double struck with a second strike 90% off center, for example. The 1952 nickel with this error was sold for $200.

1952 Nickel Re-punched Mint Mark Error

The re-punched mint mark error in most cases and with most coin varieties will raise the price. However, that is not the case with the 1962 nickel. Depending on whether your coin has a “D” or an “S” mint mark, it usually boosts the price to 10 or $15.

On the other hand, considering that these coins in circulated condition are worth their face value, $10 for the 1952 nickel with a re-punched mint mark error does not sound like a bad deal!

1952 Nickel FAQ

Is there anything special about a 1952 nickel?

The Philadelphia Mint produced the 1952 nickels without the mint mark, so if you come across one of the coins without any mark, it means it was minted in Philadelphia.

Many coins minted later had the “P” mint mark, indicating where the coin was produced!

What is a 1952 S nickel worth?

Regardless of the mint mark, these coins are in circulated condition, and lower grades are worth between $0.05 and $1.70. However, certain specimens in high grades can cost a small fortune!

For example, the 1952 D nickel in MS 67 FS was sold for $16,000.

Does a 1952 nickel have silver in it?

Unfortunately, no! The 1952 nickels were made of copper and nickel. Generally, silver or gold coins have more value regardless of their state and mint mark.

Interestingly, the Jefferson nickels coined in 1942 and 1945 were made of silver, so many tend to assume that all Jefferson nickels contain silver! Also, those coins were removed from circulation!

What makes an old nickel valuable?

Several factors affect the coin’s value! First, the level of preservation is of great importance, then the metal composition, mint mark, total mintage number, and presence of errors.

For example, Morgan dollars are almost always valuable because they are made of silver, and you can get around $15 for their melt value depending on their mass and the current price of silver.