Old Nickels
 

So what old U.S. Nickels should one keep an eye out for?

Which ones are 35% silver again?

I notice very few nickels in circulation from the 1950s and earlier.

Are ones from the 30s worth anything?

Re: Old Nickels
 

The only ones, in my opinion, worth keeping are the 35% ones. They stand out because the mint mark is large and above Monticello on the back (whereas it's small and to the right of Monticello on all others).

Earlier ones are worth something if they are nice condition. I sold 3 from the 1930's on Ebay for around $25 a few months ago.

Re: Old Nickels
 

You can't miss the huge mint mark over Monticello. It's friggin huge.

Re: Old Nickels
 

The specific years of 35% silver nickels are:

1942 P, S, but not D
1943 P, D, S
1944 P, D, S
1945 P, D, S

Also, keep 1950-D nickels since that is the key date in the Jefferson nickel series, as well as 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, and 1939-S as semi-key dates.

Re: Old Nickels
 

What about a '42 Nickel w/o a mint mark?

Same for a '38. At least, I can't find them on the coins.

Re: Old Nickels
 

If not mintmark above dome or to the right of the Monticello building then you have a regular 1942-P and a regular 1938-P:

1942 no mintmark - nearly 50 million were minted so it's pretty common

1938 no mintmark - nearly 19.5 million were minted

I should have mentioned earlier that most nickel sorters seem to keep anything from 1959 and earlier, but I have seen some mention 1963 and earlier. I dont see the point of 1960-1963 nickels but I am guessing they looked at the 1 billion plus minted for both 1964 nickels and assumed the mass production started then. That's simply not true since the mintage numbers through the early 1970's were pretty similar to what they were for 1960-1963. Personally, I keep anything 1959 and earlier, and separate out any silver nickels while the rest go into nickel tubes, sorted by decade only.

Re: Old Nickels
 

Silver nickels also have a distinct coloration. They are very dark. Ev ery now and then I pick up a $1 face at a coin store. (I know, not the best for silver investing, but I like the history of them.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG

I also keep anything older than '59. They aren't valuable now (6 - 20 cents) for average circulation, but they will probable hold some value for my children and future grandchildren.

Re: Old Nickels
 

According to one book I have on world coins, it's the largest mintmark on any coin the world has ever produced.

Re: Old Nickels
 

I got a 45-P nickel in change this week. :yippee:

Ms

Re: Old Nickels
 

Any nickel dated before 1938 in good or better condition is worth as much as or more than almost any silver war nickel in similar condition.

Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938
Liberty Head Nickels 1883-1913
Shield Nickel 1866-1883

Re: Old Nickels
 

the buffalo nickels make cool buttons for leather jackets and belts, the indian or the buffalo are classy designs.