1954-S Jefferson Nickel

The 1954-S Jefferson Nickel had a total mintage of over 29 million coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. This is a relatively plentiful coin in circulated and many Mint State grades. Finding a Full Step designation on this coin is much more difficult. The 1954-S Jefferson Nickel might even be considered a key date for the Full Step variety, with only 25 examples being graded in the past. It’s believed that any of these coins that do have the Full Step designation are some of the first coins struck in the series making them highly valuable. The 1954-S Jefferson Nickel commands one of the highest premiums in Full Step, and is much more affordable without the designation.

History of the 1954-S Jefferson Nickel

The 1954-S Jefferson Nickel is worth cherrypicking to find a coin that is both valuable and has great overall eye appeal. Many collectors build circulated collections because they are much more affordable. There is a little something for novice and experienced collectors alike. Felix Schlag designed the original Jefferson Nickels after winning a design competition for the coin. His early designs feature a left-facing Thomas Jefferson on the obverse of the coin. The reverse of the coin features his Monticello house along with the popular ‘S’ mint mark to the side of it. The Jefferson Nickels are still in production today, although the designs have changed somewhat over the years.