1954 Nickel Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1954 Nickle comes from a long line of Jefferson Nickels that are loved by many collectors. This series was first struck in 1938 and is still going today. The 1954 coin is one of the best examples, which can be extremely valuable.

After spending about 70 years in circulation, the coin has become one of the most sought-after pieces among collectors, especially those with high gradings or errors.

In this guide to the 1954 Nickel Value, we will explore everything related to this piece including variations, errors, and more. Read on to find out more!

1954 Nickel Chart

Coin Grade	MS/PR60	MS63/PR66	MS65/PR67	MS67/PR68
1954 No Mint Mark Nickel	$5	$15	$250	$70-$4,000
1954 No Mint Mark Proof Nickel	$0.05	$50	$200	$3,000
1954 D Nickel	$5	$15	$300	$600-$2,000
1954 S Nickel	$5	$15	$60	$250-$30,000

1954 Nickel Value by Mint Mark

The 1954 Jefferson Nickel is a round-shaped piece with a simple edge that consists of an alloy composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It measures 1.95mm thick, has a diameter of 21.22mm, and weighs 5g.

These nickels from 1954 are quite easy to find and get a hold of on the market. The reason is that these coins had a high production of 194,437,860 pieces.

Three different mints created four kinds of this nickel in 1954 which are three regular coins, along with the proof coin. Let’s look at these coins in a little more detail.

1954 No Mint Mark Nickel

In US history, Philadelphia has long been responsible for producing the most coins in any given year but in 1954, that honor went to Denver. While that’s true, the Philadelphia Mint still struck 47,684,050 million pieces in 1954.

This number means that 1954 coins in circulated condition are very easy to find today and are rarely worth above their face value.

The reason why people are attracted to this specific coin is due to its affordability, which allows new collectors to easily start their hobby. Another reason why these coins are sought after is due to their crisp and well-detailed design.

You can easily identify the coins produced by the Philadelphia Mint due to the lack of a mint mark. On its reverse, if you see an empty space between the Monticello and the rim on its reverse, it means that Philadelphia struck the piece.

Regularly struck Jefferson Nickels that display five/six full steps across the base of the Monticello are scarcer compared to samples that show softness in the strike.

Generally, the design of a Jefferson Nickel has low die strikes on the steps, and to determine these coins, the ‘Full Steps’ grading mark was introduced. The best examples of Jefferson Nickels will show six steps, which include the thicker bottom and top steps.

These nickels are scarcer than the pieces featuring weak impressions on the stairs, so their value can be slightly higher. To give you an idea about their value, these can cost between $60 to $4,000, depending on the coin’s mint mark and condition.

The value of 1954 Nickels ranges from $0.10 to $0.15 for circulated samples and about $1 to $2 for those uncirculated pieces. 1954 No Mint Mark Nickel sold in 2012 was valued at $8,812.50 and was graded as MS66 Full Steps.

1954 No Mint Mark Proof Nickel

In 1954, the Philadelphia Mint struck a few Jefferson Nickels for collectors, and these proof pieces were individually fed into the press. After, these were struck on meticulously hand-polished coin blanks via special coin dies.

The pieces were thoroughly and adequately struck at least twice to display all the primary and minute design details of the coin. Another aspect to note about the coin is its highly reflective and almost mirror-like finish and frosted details.

In 1954, Philadelphia was able to create 233,300 Proof Jefferson Nickels. You can easily find these coins in perfect condition as these were never released in circulation. Today you can find hundreds of coins graded PR68, and a few other pieces graded PR69, so collectors can find samples with pristine details.

The value of these coins can differ significantly, depending on how much the pieces were preserved. Its amount varies from $20 for well-preserved pieces proof pieces to $1,250, an amount for a perfectly-struck nickel with a deep cameo surface.

In the auction records, you will notice that proof versions of 1954 No Mint Mark Jefferson Nickels have higher values. In a 2001 auction, a PR69 sample was sold for $1,550.

But values can get even higher, such as one sold in 2011 for $2,200 since it features a cameo contrast. This coin was also graded PR69. In 2007, a PR68-graded coin with deep cameo contrast was sold for $7,475.

1954 D Nickel

The 1954 D Nickel is the most common 1954 Jefferson Nickel based on mintage as Denver produced 117,183,060 coins in total. Due to this high number, ample numbers of them remain today. However, most of these are in moderate to heavy-wear condition.

The 1954 nickels minted in Denver feature a “D” mint mark to identify where the coins were produced. You will find this on the reverse along the rim, on the right of the Monticello.

Due to the high number of 1954 D nickels minted, these coins are abundant for affordable prices on the market. Although these coins were mass-produced and have a lower value, they are still popular among collectors due to their historical significance. It was the year when the Civil Rights Movement began while the Cold War remained.

To obtain a circulated 1954 D Jefferson Nickel in average condition, setting aside $0.10 will be enough. Worn pieces usually are only worth their face value, while most uncirculated coins cost around $0.50 to $1.25 per coin.

Several 1954 D Jefferson Nickels with Full Steps are in gem uncirculated condition, and these are highly valued pieces that can fetch a lot of money.

When it comes to the auction records, the most valuable 1954 D nickel was an MS66 piece and was sold in 2022 for $932. For the coin with Full Steps, it was also an MS66 sample that was sold for $9,964 in 2020.

As with any nickel from the Jefferson series, a coin with Full Steps will be worth a lot more than a similarly graded coin without them.

1954 S Nickel

In 1954, a total of 29,384,000 coins were produced by the San Francisco Mint. It was the last nickel series produced by this mint for 10 years, making this series one of the important issues to collectors.

Since these coins are minted in San Francisco, you can determine these by looking at the mint mark. It should have an “S” near the rim, on the right of the Monticello.

Despite the U.S. Mint temporarily stopping the production of the Jefferson Nickel in San Francisco, these are quite common and easy to obtain. The coins are abundant on the market, and they have a low value.

When it comes to the value of this coin, circulated pieces in worn condition are usually worth their face value. If it’s a well-preserved sample, it will fetch between $0.05 and $0.10, but other coins also cost between $0.20 and $0.50.

Uncirculated samples in average condition cost higher, which can range from $1.25 to $2.50. To obtain high-quality coins in great condition, you will need at least $20, those with higher grades are usually priced at $30.

Although the 1954 S Jefferson Nickel is known for its abundance and low value, the auction records can be surprising. An MS67-graded 1954 S Nickel from the regular strike was sold for $646 in 2017. Also, another MS67 sample with Full Steps was sold for $35,250 in 2020.

Once you get to those extremely high grades with Full Steps detail, the value of any nickel can rise extremely quickly.

1954 Nickel Grading

Coins are graded based on the degree of wear on their surfaces. When assessing the condition of Jefferson Nickels that have been in circulation for a long time, it’s important to consider their wear and tear. Although these nickels may have some value even if they are in poor condition, collectors typically prefer coins that are in mint condition and look new.

A grading system of 1 to 70 is used for all coins regardless of their year of issue. The ratings are generally identified by two letters, either MS for mint state or PR for proof coins. Mint state coins were intended for circulation, and as such, it’s more difficult to find them in perfect condition.

1954 Nickel Errors

As with almost all coins in circulation, there were some errors in the manufacturing process. While many collectors prefer perfect coins, others love finding all those mistakes. This means that error coins can be quite rare. Let’s look at the errors in the 1954 Nickel.

1. S over D

The S over D error is one of the most popular 1954 Jefferson Nickel errors. In this coin, the “D” mint mark is visible below the “S” mint mark. In the 1950s, only the Philadelphia Mint made the dies for all mints, and marks were still struck by hand. Since this was the case, there are some possibilities as to how this error happened.

One of the possible reasons is that the “D” mark may have mistakenly punched the “D” mint mark on a die for the San Francisco mint. If this had happened, the worker may have repunched the “S” mint mark over the “D”. Another possibility is the die that may have been for the Denver Mint was transferred to San Francisco. So, the “S” mark was punched over the coins marked with “D”.

There is no accurate data on the number of existing nickels with this error. However, numismatists assume it will not be more than 200,000, so these coins have a higher value than regular pieces. Circulated samples can be purchased for around $10, while well-preserved pieces can cost $120 or lower. The most expensive coin with the S over D error was sold for $3,450.

2. Double Die

If a coin is struck by the same die twice or thrice, it results in a double die error. This mistake is visible on the Jefferson Nickel as imperfections on the inscriptions, minting year, and Jefferson’s eye on the front. You can also find this error on the inscriptions on the reverse.

While no 1954 Jefferson nickels with prominent double dies are currently known, there are smaller double dies that are valued between $20 to $50.

3. Off-center Strikes

It is possible to come across 1954 Jefferson nickels that display an error, and they can be purchased for a reasonable price. The worth of these coins is determined by the percentage of their design that is visible on the coin’s face.

If you’re lucky, you might find a 1954 Jefferson nickel that is off-center by 3% to 5%, which you can buy for $5 or $10. However, if the error is more significant, with the date and mint mark still visible and 50% off-center, the value could exceed $100.

4. Die Breaks On 1954 Nickels

When dies start to wear out, they may display severe signs of damage such as cracks on their surface. These cracks transfer onto the coins they strike and appear as raised lines and bumps. The value of coins with die cracks varies depending on factors such as the size, location, and severity of the crack.

Minor cracks in inconspicuous areas may only be worth $3 or $5, whereas major cracks in visible spots can fetch a much higher price. A valuable type of die break is called a die cud, which is a raised blank metal chunk attached to the coin’s rim. A 1954 nickel with a large die cud can be worth more than $150.

1954 Nickel – FAQs

1. Are 1954 nickels made of silver?

No, these are not made of silver, because the 1954 Jefferson Nickels consist of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The only $0.05 coins that were struck with silver are those pieces created between the years 1942 and 1945, also called the Silver Nickel Years.

2. Is the Jefferson Nickel rare?

Jefferson Nickels aren’t considered rare and those in circulated condition are usually easily obtainable in any year. However, coins that are in perfect condition, or those with significant errors, can be considered rare.

3. When was the last Jefferson Nickel made?

Jefferson Nickels are still in production today and have been since 1938. However, their design and composition have changed over the years, such as the Silver Nickel Years. The image of Thomas Jefferson was also changed in 2005 from the original design.