8 of the Rarest Nickels Ever Minted in the US

Some of the same US nickels that could only buy a piece of candy or an ice cream cone at one time in history are worth millions of dollars today. But what turns an everyday nickel into the one of the world's rarest and most valuable?

Whether you're looking to expand your own knowledge as a coin-collecting connoisseur or hoping to discover one of these rare coins in your piggy bank, let’s explore eight of the rarest nickels ever minted in the US!

1. 1937-D Buffalo Nickel – Three Legs

The 1937-D Buffalo nickel is one of the rarest and most famous error coins of the 20th century. This now ultra-valuable die variety was created when a worker attempted to repair and perfect the surface of a coin die by polishing it. However, they over-polished the surface, removing most of the buffalo's front leg and some of the details of the back leg. Only the hoof of the buffalo can still be seen on the ground. While collectors should be aware of altered counterfeits, authentic 1937-D nickels can be worth quite a lot. In 2015, one was sold for $88,125.

2. 1935 Buffalo Nickel – Doubled Die Reverse

This special set of 1935 Buffalo nickels features a rare, slight misalignment causing some aspects of its reverse design to be doubled. Sloppy workmanship made this coin the only Buffalo nickel series with noticeable doubling and one of the rarest nickel die varieties today. To easily identify this coin, look out for the strong doubling on the denomination FIVE CENTS.

If you’re on a mission to assemble a complete set of Buffalo nickels, this special coin will cost you a pretty penny. Most of these nickels were circulated, so one well-preserved, uncirculated example sold for $104,650 in 2007.

3. 1880 Shield Nickel

The 1880 Shield nickel is one of the rarest and most valuable US nickels due to its small production numbers and incredible age. Only 16,000 of these nickels were minted for circulation, along with 3,955 Proof coins struck for coin collectors, making collecting a complete set of Shield nickels a nearly impossible task.

Due to their extreme rarity, well-struck Shield nickels can sell for incredibly high values. In fact, one of these rare nickels was one of the most expensive ever sold on eBay at a whopping $175,000.

4. 1918-S Buffalo Nickel

In 1918, the US was in the midst of World War I and primarily focused on manufacturing wartime necessities, so producing and saving new coins for collectors was not a priority. This led to the 1918-S coin having low production numbers.

Well-struck, uncirculated-grade examples of the 1918-S Buffalo nickel are extremely rare and very pricy, while circulated examples of these coins are scarce but can be found with some searching. In 2008, a Mint State 1918-S was sold for $125,350 at auction.

5. 1867 Shield Nickel – Proof With Rays

The 1867 Shield nickels are some of the rarest in the US. In 1867, the ray design around the denomination “5” was removed from the reverse die, but mysteriously, some special coins were still created with the rays. Additionally, Proof coins for collectors were only produced in low numbers between the mid to late 1800s, adding to the extremely low production of this coin.

It is believed that just 25 of these coins were minted, with only ten or fewer examples of 1867 Shield Proof nickels with rays in existence today. In 2004, one sold for $132,250.

6. 1913-D Buffalo Nickel – Type 2

1913 was a special year for nickel collectors — it was the year that the US nickel’s design changed from the Liberty Head V to the iconic Buffalo, with two separate Buffalo designs used. The first version is known as Type 1 and the second as Type 2. In the second version of the design, the location of the denomination FIVE CENTS was moved to reduce wear overtime.

Only an estimated 10,000 1913-D Type 2 Buffalo nickels exist today, making them one of the rarest nickels in the US. Uncirculated versions are extremely sought-after rarities with even fewer in existence. To get an idea of their value, one sold for $143,750 in 2008.

7. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel – Doubled Die Obverse

If you're in search of one of the most valuable nickels, keep the 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel on your radar. This special nickel was the result of employee error at the United States Mint, when these 1918 coins were struck using the old 1917 die before being struck again with the correct 1918 die. The result is a noticeable double die obverse where the 7 is visible underneath the 8.

Most of these unique, rare nickels were in circulation for around 15 years before the first was sold at auction. Uncirculated examples of this nickel are extremely rare, with one selling for $350,750 in 2006.

8. 1913 Liberty Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is the star of the show when it comes to rare 20th century coins. With only five of these iconic coins in existence, it's one of the rarest and most valuable nickels in history. Experts are not entirely sure why only five of these coins were produced, but some researchers have suggested that a numismatist and ex-mint employee named Samuel Brown may have struck them himself and kept them.

With its origins shrouded in mystery and such a limited supply in existence, this special coin is one that every coin collector dreams of adding to their collection. In August of 2018, a 1913 Liberty nickel sold for $4,560,000 at a Stack’s Bowers auction.

Expand Your Collection With L&C Coins

Searching for the rarest and most valuable US nickels is a thrilling experience for any collector. However, seasoned collectors and beginners alike know that holding a special piece of history in your hand in the form of any collectible coin is unforgettable.

L&C Coins is a family owned business founded upon a love for coin collecting. Our site is home to a wide selection of authentic, rare, and valuable coins at a vast range of price points to suit both new and seasoned collectors. Shop our new arrivals today and find the coins you’re searching for.