1938-S Jefferson Nickel Value
Mintage: 4,105,000
Finest Known: MS68 (NGC) MS68 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $1,645 (MS68)
Like the nickels struck in Denver and Philadelphia in 1938, many uncirculated 1938-S nickels were hoarded by the roll. Even though the mintage of barely 4 million coins makes the 1938-S a key date in the series, that hoarding means that they are more available than the mintage would suggest.
1938-S Jefferson nickel. Image: USA CoinBook
The Value of A 1938-S Jefferson Nickel
The San Francisco Mint had a habit of squeezing every last coin they could from a set of dies. This is not to say that sharp examples can’t be found, but most 1938-S Jefferson nickels will show weak details even if they are uncirculated.
This practice would make San Francisco nickels with Full Steps more rare than from Denver or Philadelphia.
1938-S Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $3 | $3 | $4 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS68) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8 | $12 | $30 | $1,645 |
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Proof and prooflike examples of this issue may have greater or lesser "finest known" and different record auction prices.