Nickel Sorting - What to Look For

[Rodebaugh]

Authored by: Jadedragon

The question of what to look for when searching nickels comes up regularly. I will attempt to recap the group's collective wisdom here.

In the US and Canada you will get some mix of US, Canada, and misc. International coins. The percentages will vary depending on where you are. In the US, expect more Canadian nickels if you are closer to the border. The same advice applies regardless of which side of the border, only your percentages will vary. (Composition in brackets)

Worth Saving for Collector Value:
American
1913–1938 Indian Head/Buffalo nickel (CuNi)
1939-1942 Jefferson (CuNi)
1946-1963 Jefferson (CuNi)
Anything with an "S" mint mark

Canadian
1922-1936 Maple Leaf Design (99.9% nickel)
1937-1942 Beaver/King Design (99.9% nickel)
1942-1943 12-sided Beaver/Victory WWII (tombac=copper/zinc)
1944-1945 Victory WWII (chrome-plated steel)
1946–1950 Beaver 12-sided (99.9% nickel)
1951 only 200th Anniversery Discover of Nickel (99.9% nickel)
1951–1954 Beaver 12-sided Korean war era (chrome-plated steel)
1955–1962 12-sided (99.9% nickel)
2000P Beaver (nickel plated steel)

Any International coin for the fun of collecting/trading

In most cases the collector value would be a few cents premium, but likely more then the bullion value.

Worth Saving for Bullion Value:
American
1942-1945 "War Nickels" (35% silver, large mintmark above Monticello)
Potentially ALL American Nickels as the 75% Copper/25% (CuNi) Nickel has usually been worth more in metal value then face value since 2006

Canadian
1963-1981 Beaver (99.9% Ni)
Potentially 1982-1999 and some 2000-2006 Canadian Nickels as the 75% Copper/25% Nickel (CuNi) has usually been worth more in metal value then face value since 2006.

No Point Collecting:

Some Canadian Nickels starting in 2000 (P or logo mint mark below the queen) and all from 2007 on made from nickel plated steel with minimal intrinsic metal value. The 2000P is fairly rare and may be collectable.

Check Coinflation.com and Coinflation.com/canada for the current intrinsic values of these coins.

[Morsecode]

This should be a sticky...

[TXSTARFIRE]

Nice old post, I dont think I had ever seen it before.

[Recyclersteve]

Agreed- this has valuable info. Can't believe it got no responses back when it was created...

[Morsecode]

Agreed- this has valuable info. Can't believe it got no responses back when it was created...

It may have had replies, and they got left behind in the shuffle from Old forum to New forum? It sorta fits the timeframe.

[Morsecode]

Thanks to Admin for pinning it to the top

[Silver4face]

Nice old post, I dont think I had ever seen it before.

Agreed, I have never seen it before either which says a lot because I searched old posts quite a bit although not recently.

Also, in the CANADIAN section which says 1963-1981 bullion value, I have an important comment. Keep ALL 1967 and 1970 separate from the bullion pile. If you go on ebay or other sites, most people selling. 999 lots DO NOT include the '67 or '70 years, nor should they.

[Recyclersteve]

Let me add a bit to the above post.

The 1967’s were popular because of the 1-year rabbit design.

The 1970’s were somewhat collectible because of a mintage of just 5.1 million coins.

[mtalbot_ca]

Let me add a bit to the above post.

The 1967’s were popular because of the 1-year rabbit design.

The 1970’s were somewhat collectible because of a mintage of just 5.1 million coins.

Agreed.

Two reference sites I use:
- for varieties : 5centscanada.ca
- for prices : numicanada.com