1938-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel had a total mintage of over 5.3 million coins struck at the Denver Mint. This was the first year of issue of the coin and it replaced the Buffalo Nickel. This is a semi-key date due to its low mintage, and it was much smaller than the almost 20 million struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the same year. The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel is a plentiful coin in the highest Mint State grades regardless of its small mintage, making this an excellent find for those looking for a beautifully struck coin from the earliest years of the Jefferson Nickel.
History of the 1938-D Jefferson Nickel
The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel is a great coin to find well-struck with a great luster. Cherrypicking is advised and possible due to plenty of these coins being available in a wide range of grades. Felix Schlag originally designed the Thomas Jefferson Nickel, although it has had design modifications over the years. This coin is still being struck today giving the Jefferson Nickel a long history. The obverse of the coin features the profile of Thomas Jefferson, while the reverse showcases his Monticello home. The ‘D’ mint mark is found on the reverse of the coin beside the Monticello.
1938-D Jefferson Nickel Values
The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel values range between $4000 and $6000 for the highest grades of the coin. This is a unique coin in the early part of the series because it can be found all the way up to Mint State 68. Full Step varieties also exist where the stairs of the Monticello are all fully struck, and these coins typically command a higher price. The 1938-D Jefferson Nickel would make a valuable addition to any Nickel series collection.
Type of coin: Nickel
Year: 1938-D Jefferson Nickel
Jefferson Nickel Mint Mark: Denver
Total mintage: 5,376,000
Metal content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Face value: 5 Cents
Weight: 5.00 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: Felix Schlag
Diameter: 21.20 millimeters