1961 Jefferson Nickel

The 1961 Jefferson Nickel had a total mintage of over 73 million coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint. This was a jump from the mintage here the previous year. This is a relatively common coin in circulated grades up to about Mint State 66 or higher. It’s possible to find this coin in Mint State 67, but it is very scarce and difficult to locate with less than a handful known to exist. This coin is also scarce in any grade if the collector is seeking out a Full Step designation, which means the steps leading up to the Monticello plantation house on the reverse are distinctive steps with great detailing. It is believed that the highest grade known in Full Step is MS65.

History of the 1961 Thomas Jefferson Nickel

The 1961 Jefferson Nickel is an attractive coin that is worth the effort to find well-struck with attractive surfaces. Cherrypicking is advised, especially on coins that have striking issues and have a large mintage to choose from. Felix Schlag was the designer of the original images found on the Jefferson Nickel. The coin is still in production today, but the images have changed over the years. This coin features Schlag’s original designs with the obverse featuring a left-facing profile of Thomas Jefferson’s head, and the reverse of the coin showcasing his Monticello home. There is no mint mark on these Philadelphia minted coins. The only coins within the series to have the P mint mark are the war nickels between 1942 and 1945.