Nickels

Buy Rare Nickels Online - US Nickel Coins

At Bullion Shark, we are proud to be a leading authority in U.S. coinage and currency issues, offering a wide selection of collectible nickel coins for seasoned and new collectors alike. As a private retailer with years of expertise, we've built our reputation on trust and quality within the numismatic community. Buying Nickel Coins is easy and secure with Bullion Shark!

We specialize in authenticated coins and are an authorized dealer for coins certified and graded by the industry's top agencies, including the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Our graded coins are carefully selected and certified to meet the highest standards, ensuring that your collection is backed by expert validation.

Throughout history, the USA has minted many different nickels. Nickel coins are popular with collectors today and are often valuable. Examples of nickels include the shield nickel and the liberty head nickel, which are two of the most famous and popular American coins. Buffalo nickels are also rare and worth collecting. Start collecting us coins today, buy rare nickels online!

The journey of the U.S. nickel coin began in 1866 with the introduction of the Shield nickel, marking a departure from the silver half dimes used previously. Over the years, the nickel has seen several design changes, each reflecting a unique period in American history. From the Liberty Head V nickel to the Buffalo (Indian Head) nickel, and the long-standing Jefferson nickel, each design iteration tells a story of artistic evolution and national identity.

Collecting U.S. Nickels

Collecting U.S. nickels offers a captivating journey into America’s numismatic history. With some pieces being incredibly rare and highly valuable, certain nickels have garnered immense interest due to their low mintages, historical significance, and high demand among collectors.

The Rarest Nickel

One of the rarest and most valuable nickels is the 1913 Liberty Nickel, with only five known specimens. This coin’s rarity makes it one of the most famous in U.S. coinage. In fact, a specimen of this coin sold at auction in 2018 for a staggering $4.56 million, solidifying its status as one of the most desirable coins in the world.

Low Mintage Nickel Coins

Buffalo Nickels are another key series in nickel collecting. Among them, the 1926-S Buffalo Nickel stands out due to its low mintage of only 970,000, making it one of the scarcest dates in the series. A well-preserved example can sell for over $100,000 in high-grade condition, with lower grades still commanding impressive prices. Other Buffalo Nickels with low mintages, such as the 1918-D and 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel, are highly sought after. The 1937-D Three-Legged variety, a minting error, can fetch $40,000 or more at auction in top condition.

The Shield Nickel, minted from 1866 to 1883, is another piece of interest for collectors due to its historical significance and low-mintage years. The 1879 Shield Nickel, for instance, had a mintage of just 25,900, making it one of the rarest in the series. Auction prices for this key date can exceed $10,000 depending on the coin’s condition.

Modern collectors have also gravitated toward the Westward Journey Nickel Series (2004–2006), particularly due to the low-mintage 2004-P Peace Medal Nickel, which has a strong following. While these coins are generally more affordable, collectors anticipate long-term appreciation in value.

US Nickel Coins Auction Pricing Data:

• 1913 Liberty Nickel: Sold for $4.56 million in 2018.

• 1926-S Buffalo Nickel: High-grade examples can sell for over $100,000.

• 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel: Can reach $40,000+ in top condition.

• 1879 Shield Nickel: Auction prices can exceed $10,000 for well-preserved examples.

Purchasing nickels in bulk can also be a rewarding strategy for collectors. This approach allows you to hunt for rare dates or error coins, some of which may be hidden in unsearched rolls, adding an element of discovery to the hobby. Assembling complete sets, particularly of Buffalo Nickels or Shield Nickels, can lead to significant value appreciation over time.

Whether you're interested in low-mintage treasures or building a comprehensive collection, U.S. nickels offer both historical value and significant investment potential.

Rare Nickel Coins For Sale

Designs and Variations

• Shield Nickel (1866-1883): The first of its kind, featuring a shield on the obverse and a numeral 5 surrounded by stars and rays on the reverse.

• Liberty Head V Nickel (1883-1913): Known for its portrayal of Lady Liberty and the large Roman numeral V on the reverse.

• Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938): Celebrated for its distinctly American imagery with a Native American on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse.

• Jefferson Nickel (1938-present): Featuring a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Monticello home on the reverse, with various commemorative designs introduced in the 21st century.

Buying Nickels Online

Rare US nickels are highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity, historical significance, and unique stories. You can buy us nickel coins for sale at Bullion Shark. Here's a list of some of the most notable rare nickels, which stand out in the world of numismatics:

1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

• Why It's Rare: Only five known examples exist. These nickels were never officially released by the U.S. Mint, making their existence a mystery and highly coveted among collectors.

• Notable Sale: One sold for over $3.7 million at auction in 2010.

2. 1921-S Buffalo Nickel

• Why It's Rare: The lowest mintage of any Buffalo nickel, with just over 1.5 million coins produced. Its scarcity, especially in higher grades, makes it a prized possession.

• Notable Sale: High-grade examples can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

3. 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel

• Why It's Rare: A mint error caused by overpolishing the die resulted in the buffalo appearing to have only three legs. This error has captivated collectors for decades.

• Notable Sale: Can reach over $100,000 in the highest grades.

4. 1916/1916 Doubled Die Buffalo Nickel

• Why It's Rare: One of the most famous doubled die errors in American numismatics, noticeable especially in the date and the word "LIBERTY."

• Notable Sale: Examples have sold for over $100,000 depending on condition.

5. 1918/7-D Overdate Buffalo Nickel

• Why It's Rare: This overdate error occurred when a 1917-dated die was overstruck with a 1918 date, creating a rare and sought-after variety.

• Notable Sale: High-grade specimens can command prices in the six-figure range.

6. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel

• Why It's Rare: Known for its low mintage and the poor quality of many surviving examples, making high-grade specimens extremely rare.

• Notable Sale: Prices can exceed $50,000 for coins in top condition.

7. 1939-D Jefferson Nickel (Reverse of 1940)

• Why It's Rare: Features a distinct reverse design that was intended for release starting in 1940, making early examples with this reverse highly collectible.

• Notable Sale: Can reach into the thousands for pristine examples.

8. 1950-D Jefferson Nickel

• Why It's Rare: The lowest mintage of any post-World War II nickel and was hoarded upon release, making it a key date for Jefferson nickel collectors.

• Notable Sale: While not as expensive as others on this list, uncirculated examples are highly valued.

9. 1942-1945 Silver War Nickels

• Why They're Rare: These nickels were made with a composition of 35% silver due to nickel being a critical war material. Some varieties and high-grade examples are particularly sought after.

• Notable Sale: While generally more affordable, certain mint marks and conditions can increase their value significantly.

Historical Figures on Nickels

The U.S. nickel has featured several iconic figures and designs throughout its history, reflecting key moments in American culture. The current depiction on the nickel is Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, whose portrait has been on the coin since 1938. On the reverse side, Jefferson’s Virginia home, Monticello, has been a staple for many years.

Before 1938, the Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, dominated the coin’s design. This popular nickel, minted from 1913 to 1938, featured a Native American Chief on the obverse, with an American Bison (commonly referred to as a buffalo) on the reverse. Fraser's design celebrated the spirit of the American West and remains a favorite among collectors. The Buffalo Nickel replaced the Liberty Head Nickel, also known as the Lady Liberty nickel, designed by Mint Director Archibald Snowden. This coin, minted from 1883 to 1913, featured Lady Liberty on the front and a large Roman numeral "V" on the back.

In more recent years, the Westward Journey Nickel Series (2004–2006) commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition. These nickels featured unique designs, including the Union Shield, the American Bison, and different portrayals of Thomas Jefferson to celebrate the bicentennial of the expedition, with Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh playing a significant role in the redesign.

The 2022 nickel continues the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, with his updated portrait on the obverse and the enduring image of Monticello on the reverse, preserving the coin’s historical significance.

Each of these designs tells a story of America’s evolving identity, from early symbols of liberty to figures who shaped the nation's future. Collectors of Buffalo Nickels or any other edition can appreciate the rich history and artistry behind these timeless coins.

US Nickels Types

Shield Nickel

The shield nickel was minted from 1866 to 1883, which is a relatively short run for an American coin. The shield nickel is rare and is one of the most expensive coins on the market. They are costly in uncirculated condition as finding a good quality coin can be a challenge. Even well-circulated coins often reach high prices at auction. Proofs from 1877 and 1878 are estimated to be of higher value.  

The Shield Nickel is popular as it was the first nickel that was ever minted in America. This coin had a relatively low mintage than other nickels, which adds to its rarity and appeal. It was only minted for sixteen years. 

The shield nickels are unique and eye-catching as it has an intricate design. The coin's obverse features a shield and wreath while the reverse has a stars and strip border with the number five in the middle. James Longacre designed the coin. 

Liberty Head Nickel

The liberty head nickel is sometimes called the V nickel as it’s reverse has the Roman Numeral V, meaning 5. It’s a five-cent coin that was minted between 1883 and 1912. These coins are readily available, and collectors can easily get their hands on a whole set if they wish. 

The Liberty head nickel has Liberty’s head in profile on the obverse. There are also thirteen stars around the faces circumference to represent the 13 founding states of America. The coin's reverse has a wreath with a V in the middle. These coins were minted in large numbers, and although popular, they aren’t particularly valuable. Charles Barber, Chief Engraver at the U.S. Mint, designed this coin. 

Buffalo Nickel

Buffalo Nickels were minted between 1913 and 1938 and were sometimes referred to as the Indian Head nickel. These coins are easy to find and very affordable. The value of the buffalo nickel varies depending on the coin's date and condition. Well circulated coins cost just a few dollars, whereas uncirculated coins with key dates can sell for thousands. 

James Earl Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel as part of the Renaissance of American Coinage. President Theodore Roosevelt decided to improve America's coin designs after being inspired by ancient Greek coins. The coin's obverse features a Native American facing towards the right. There has been much speculation over the years as to who the portrait was. It’s thought to be a composition of many different tribal chiefs. The coin's reverse has a Buffalo that the designer drew while at the New York City Zoo. The buffalo's name was Black Diamond.

Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson nickel was introduced in 1938 and is a five-cent coin that replaced the Buffalo nickel. A competition was launch to create a new design for the coin, and a $1000 prize was offered. The competition proved to be popular, and 390 entrants from across America were received. Felix Schlag created the winning design. 

It is still being minted to the present day. The coin was initially struck using copper and nickel. In 1942 the coin was minted using silver alloy as nickel was reclaimed for the war effort. This makes the earlier coins very rare. The coin's obverse features the founding father and third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. 

The modern Jefferson Nickel was minted from 1965, and most of these coins are still in circulation today. This coin has an updated version of Jefferson on the obverse. Collectors can begin to assemble their portfolio using coins that are in circulation. Earlier Jefferson nickels are rarer and worth more. These are highly collectible. The 1994 and 1997 P Matt Proof are incredibly valuable. 

Nickels for sale

Bullion Shark has an extensive collection of nickel coins available to purchase, and these are very popular with collectors. Nickels are often rare and highly sought after, especially the shield nickel and early Jefferson nickels, which are very valuable. Nickels in such good condition are a challenge to find and don't come around every day.