1941 Jefferson Nickel Value (Mint Marks, Full Steps & Errors)

Imagine finding a vintage coin before the ’40s, which can sell for up to $18,000 today! Sounds unrealistic, right? But it’s actually true! The iconic 1941 Jefferson Nickel is one such coin that is drawing a lot of attention today due to its rising value in the coin market.

So, if you have an old 1941 5-cent coin, this guide will show you how to assess its worth by evaluating its condition and spotting errors and other rare features!

Identifying a Real 1941 Jefferson Nickel (Design & Features)

To identify whether your 1941 Jefferson Nickel is genuine, you must verify its design details on both sides and other physical features, like composition weight, and more. This step saves you from trading a counterfeit.

Obverse Design (By Jamie Franki):

• A left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson
• The word “LIBERTY” inscribed along the right edge
• The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears along the left edge
• The mint date “1941” along the right edge, below “LIBERTY”
• The designer’s initials “FS” (Felix Schlag) at the base of Jefferson’s bust (difficult to see)

Reverse Design (By Felix Schlag):

• A detailed image of Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia home at the center
• “MONTICELLO” right below the building
• The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the top edge
• The denomination “FIVE CENTS” below “Monticello”
• The country’s name “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the bottom edge
• The mint mark (D or S), if present, to the Monticello’s right

Coin Composition, Weight, Size & More

The 1941 Jefferson nickel consists of the standard pre-war composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel while also maintaining its other measurements as given below:

Finding a 1941 Nickel Value (3 Key Factors to Assess)

The average value for a circulated 1941 Jefferson nickel typically ranges from 15 to 50 cents, while uncirculated coins or those with rare characteristics can fetch up to a few thousand dollars.

Naturally, your 1941 nickel coin value depends on several factors that can dramatically influence its overall worth.

1. Coin Grades & Condition

The condition of a 1941 Jefferson nickel, measured in grades, is the most essential determinant of its value. All coins are professionally evaluated on the Sheldon scale, ranging from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70), where higher grades mean better condition.

And, the better the condition, the more valuable the coin. For instance, an MS65-grade coin from Philadelphia Mint might sell for $10-20, but the same coin in MS68 grade can fetch up to $2,500.

Full Step Designation

The term “Full Steps” indicates the steps leading to Monticello’s entrance on the reverse. And for a coin to receive an FS designation, it must display at least five complete, clearly defined steps with visible separation.

The FS Designation greatly impacts the nickel’s value, depending on other factors, like mint marks and errors.

2. 1941 Nickel Mint Marks & Mintage

The mintage of a coin directly indicates its rarity. For the 1941 Jefferson Nickel, the mintage reached 300,179,400 coins across all three mints. However, the coins produced at different locations bear different mint marks, impacting their individual values.

1941 Nickel No Mint Mark Value (Mintage – 203,283,720)

The Philadelphia-minted 1941 Jefferson nickels are known to bear no mint mark. Despite the highest mintage, these coins can fetch up to a few thousand in mint state, like this MS68-example sold for $2,875 on Heritage Auctions.

Here are the average values of a 1941 no mint mark nickel by grade:

• MS60: $2-$4
• MS63: $5-$10
• MS65: $10-$15
• MS66: $20-$35
• MS67: $50-$450
• MS68: $500-$2,500+

On the other hand, the Full Steps variety of the 1941 No mint mark nickels can fetch up to $25-55 in MS65 grade, $200-850 in MS67FS grade, and $1,000-$1,500 in MS68FS grade. The highest price realized for an FS no mint mark nickel is $5,175 for an MS67FS example on Superior Galleries.

1941 D Jefferson Nickel Value (Mintage – 53,432,000)

The Denver-minted 1941 nickels are identifiable by a “D” mint mark. Despite a lower mintage than Philadelphia, 1941 D nickels are worth relatively less than no mint mark nickels, with the highest value reaching only $630 for an MS68 example.

Here are the average values of a standard 1941 D nickel by grade:

• MS60: $2-$4
• MS63: $5-$8
• MS65: $8-$15
• MS66: $15-$35
• MS67: $80-$200
• MS68: $200-$600

However, the FS-designated 1941 D Jefferson Nickels are quite valuable, especially in high grades. For instance, MS68FS examples often range from $2,500 to $10,000 or more, MS67 examples reaching $100-$500, and MS65FS specimens fetching $10-$25.

An MS68FS example selling for an auction record price of $11,400 on Stacks & Bowers Auctions.

1941 S Jefferson Nickel Value (Mintage – 43,445,000)

Denoted by an “S” mint mark, the San Francisco Mint produced the fewest regular issue 1941 nickels. Nonetheless, the value of these nickels also falls under $500 for the highest MS67 grade. But one MS67 example surprisingly sold for $1,900 on eBay as per PCGS.

The average values of a 1941-S Jefferson nickel by grade are as follows:

• MS60: $3-$5
• MS63: $5-$7
• MS65: $7-$20
• MS66: $20-$100
• MS67: $120-$400
• MS68: N/A

The Full Step variety of 1941 S Jefferson Nickel is obviously more premium than regular nickels. For instance, MS65FS specimens typically sell for $40-$80, MS66FS examples reach $120-$625, and MS67FS examples can fetch $1,500-$4,000 or more.

An MS67FS example realized the record price of $8.912 on Heritage Auctions.

1941 Jefferson Nickel Proof Value (Mintage – 18,720)

The Philadelphia Mint also produced a limited number of proof Jefferson nickels in 1941. Due to the lowest mintage, these coins are the most valuable of all, with a PR68 example reaching the highest value of $18,800!

The average price of a 1941 nickel proof by grade is:

• MS60: $15-20
• MS63: $25-$40
• PR65: $40-$40
• PR66: $55-$150
• PR67: $150-$1,300
• PR68: $3,500-$18,800+

3. Rare 1941 Nickel Mint Errors

The third factor to strongly impact the value of a 1941 nickel is mint errors. These are production flaws that occur during the striking and create rare coins worth money!

Here are the most sought-after 1941 nickel errors to look for:

Mated Error Pair

Easily one of the most fascinating 1941 nickel errors, a mated pair consists of two coins struck together during striking. The first coin displays the obverse on one side and the second coin’s reverse impression on the other side, while the second coin shows the complementary pairing.

With only a handful of examples known, Mated pairs of 1941 nickels are rare and valuable. These errors generally sell for $2,000-$5,500 depending on condition and the clarity of the impressions, like this MS65 and MS65FS pair, realized $2,760 on Heritage Auctions.

Struck on a Cent Planchet

This error occurs when a 1941 Jefferson Nickel design is accidentally struck on a Lincoln cent planchet, resulting in a copper-colored nickel. You can easily identify these errors by their distinctive copper color and smaller diameter (19mm vs. the standard 21.2mm).

As for the value, a 1941 nickel struck on a cent planchet is typically valued between $750 and $2,000 depending on condition and how well-centered the strike is. For example, an MS65 RB specimen sold on Heritage Auctions for almost $1,100!

Struck on a Copper Lincoln Cent (Double Denomination)

A double denomination error occurs when an already-struck coin is struck again in another die. In this case, the 1941 Jefferson nickel is struck on a 1941 Lincoln cent, creating a coin with traces of the original cent design under the nickel design on both sides.

Double Denomination 1941 Jefferson Nickels can often range from $1,500-$4,500, depending on the clarity of designs and the coin’s overall condition. I found this VF20 Brown example bought for $1,410, an extraordinary price for a coin in this grade.

Re-punched Mint Mark

This error occurs when the mint mark is punched multiple times into the working die at slightly different angles, resulting in a doubled or even tripled appearance of the “D” or “S” mint mark on the coin.

For 1941 nickels, RPM errors can fetch $40-$200 depending on the visibility of the error and the coin’s grades.

Struck on a Type One Dime Planchet

This is another off-metal planchet error in which a Jefferson nickel design is struck on a silver dime planchet. The result is an rare coin that is smaller and contains precious metal. You can easily spot these error coins by their smaller size (17.9mm vs. 21.2mm) and silvery color.

For 1941 Jefferson nickels, struck on a 90% silver dime planchet, the values can range from $1,000-$3,500 depending on condition and centering. An AU58-grade example sold for $940 on Heritage Auctions. Mint State specimens can fetch even more.

Off-center Strike

When a planchet is not properly centered between the dies, the result is an off-center error coin with a portion of the design missing and a corresponding blank crescent. These errors vary in value based on the percentage off-center and whether the date and mint mark are visible.

Minor off-center strikes (10-20%) in 1941 Jefferson Nickels generally sell for $50-$300, while dramatic examples (50% or more off-center) with a visible date can fetch up to $300-$800. Heritage Auctions realized over $310 for an MS62 coin with 10% off-center.

Inverted MM (Mint Mark)

The inverted mint mark error occurs when the mint mark punch is inserted upside down into the working die. In 1941 nickels, this would appear as an upside-down “D” or “S” on the coin’s reverse.

Since not as dramatic as some other errors, these errors generally fetch $100-$500 depending on the clarity of the error and the coin’s overall condition, like this MS63 example sold for almost $95 in an auction.

Struck on Foreign Planchet (3.0 grams)

This error occurs when a foreign coin planchet accidentally gets into the die and is struck with the 1941 Jefferson design. The result is an unusual-looking coin with incorrect weight (in this case, approximately 3.0 grams) and often strange coloration.

The value of a 1941 nickel struck on a foreign planchet can range from $500-$2,500, based on what type of planchet it is. This specific AU58 example with 3 grams planchet sold for almost $765 on Heritage Auctions.