7 Rare And Valuable Nickels Worth $600,000 Each: The World’s Rarest Nickels

Coin collecting is an exciting and rewarding hobby, with certain rare nickels fetching extraordinary prices due to their unique features, minting errors, and historical significance. Among these numismatic treasures are seven exceptional nickels, some valued at over $600,000. Here’s an in-depth look at these coins and what makes them so valuable.

1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is a legendary coin with only five known specimens, making it one of the rarest and most coveted coins in American history.

Key Features:

• Rarity: Unauthorized mintage by the U.S. Mint.
• Auction Records: One coin sold for $3,737,500 in 2010, and another for $4,200,000 in 2022.
• Mystery: Its unauthorized production adds intrigue, fueling its desirability among collectors.

2. 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel

The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is a result of a minting error where the bison’s fourth leg is missing due to excessive die polishing.

Key Features:

• Error Type: Missing fourth leg on the bison.
• Value: In pristine condition, this coin can be worth up to $600,000.
• Collector Appeal: Its distinctive appearance and rarity make it highly sought after.

3. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel (Overdate Error)

This coin features an overdate error caused by reusing a die from 1917, with the date “1918” struck over “1917.”

Key Features:

• Error Type: Visible overlap of “1917” under “1918.”
• Value: Coins graded Mint State 66 have reached values of $650,000.
• Significance: This error adds both historical intrigue and rarity to the coin.

4. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel

With a mintage of fewer than 1 million coins, the 1926-S Buffalo Nickel is one of the rarest in the series.

Key Features:

• Rarity: Low mintage under 1 million.
• Value: High-grade examples are worth up to $4,200.
• Desirability: Scarcity and demand make it a valuable addition to any collection.

5. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel

This Buffalo Nickel displays a doubled die error on the obverse, where the date and inscriptions appear doubled.

Key Features:

• Error Type: Doubling of the date and inscriptions.
• Value: Coins in excellent condition can exceed $100,000.
• Rarity: This error is rare and highly prized by collectors.

6. 1942-D Over Horizontal D Jefferson Nickel

A fascinating error on the 1942-D Jefferson Nickel occurred when a “D” mint mark was struck over a horizontal “D.”

Key Features:

• Error Type: Repunched mint mark.
• Value: High-grade specimens can be valued at over $30,000.
• Significance: This error adds a unique dimension to an otherwise common coin.

7. 1880 Shield Nickel

The 1880 Shield Nickel is notable for its extremely low mintage, with only 16,000 coins produced.

Key Features:

• Rarity: One of the lowest mintages in U.S. nickel history.
• Value: High-grade examples can fetch around $20,000.
• Historical Importance: Its limited availability makes it a prized collectible.

Summary of Rare Nickels

Coin	Year	Unique Feature	Approximate Value
Liberty Head Nickel	1913	Unauthorized mintage; only 5 known	$3,737,500 – $4,200,000
Three-Legged Buffalo	1937-D	Missing leg due to die polishing error	Up to $600,000
Buffalo Nickel	1918/7-D	Overdate error with visible overlap	Approximately $650,000
Buffalo Nickel	1926-S	Low mintage under 1 million	Up to $4,200
Doubled Die Obverse	1916	Doubling of date and inscriptions	Over $100,000
Over Horizontal D	1942-D	Repunched mint mark error	Over $30,000
Shield Nickel	1880	Low mintage of 16,000	Around $20,000

Why Are These Nickels So Valuable?

Several factors contribute to the high value of these rare nickels:

• Rarity: Limited mintage or unique errors make them difficult to find.
• Historical Significance: Many of these coins are tied to intriguing stories or production quirks.
• Collector Demand: Scarcity and uniqueness drive up prices at auctions.
• Condition: Coins in pristine, high-grade condition fetch the highest values.

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