1961 nickel value

The 1961 nickel coins are part of a series that was made after replacing the Buffalo nickels that were first made in 1938. The 1961 coins are important in USA history and important for collectors. Nickels were first made in 1866, then changed into different types. The 1961 comes with different grades and value features. We will cover here, so let’s get started with. How much is a 1961 nickel worth?

1961 nickel value Chart

	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-65)	Proof (PR-65)
1961 Jefferson Nickels	$0.30	$24	$3.54
1961 Jefferson Nickels	$0.30	$24	$3.54
1961 D Jefferson Nickels	$0.30	$30	–

1961 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

Philadelphia mint made nickels in 1961, and these coins do not have a mint mark. There were about 76,668,244 nickels made at this mint. These coins come with different grades and values. The 1961 no mint with circulated conditions is about 5 cents. For good conditions, we can get up to $1. The uncirculated condition 1961 nickels are about 25 dollars.

An MS65 grade 1961 nickel is about 20 dollars, an MS66 grade is 45 dollars, and MS67s are high value that can get up to 1700 dollars.

Full step coins are also made at the Philadelphia mint that come with different grades, and their value is as follows.

MS64 full-step nickels are about 1600 dollars, MS65 are about 4000 dollars, and MS66 grades can be about 9000 dollars.

1961 D Nickel Value

1961 nickels minted in Denver were also made, and these coins have a D mint mark. 229,342,760 1961 nickels were made in this year. Their face value is about 5 cents, and in uncirculated condition, we can get in $25.

MS60 grade coins are about $2, and MS63 grades are about $5 to $10.

MS64 grade area about 10 to 15 dollars. MS65 we can get in 30 dollars. MS66 grade 1961 D nickels are about $170 to $200.

MS67 grade 1961 nickels are high value and are worth about 5000 dollars.

Full step 1961 nickels are high value; for MS64 grade, they can be about 8000 dollars. MS65 full step 1961 nickels are about $20,000.

1961 Proof Nickel Value

There were proof nickels also made, and these coins were made at the Philadelphia mint and come with a mirror-like combination and a shiny finish. These coins are not used for circulation and have a higher value than regular strikes. The value of 1961 nickels can be about 4 dollars. Proof nickels are high value and needed to make complicated dies. So coins are high value, especially in mint state.

PR60 grade coins are about 5 dollars, and PR65 grade is about 10 dollars. PR66 can be about 12 dollars. PR68 grade is about 20 dollars.

PR69 grade coins sold for 150 dollars.

The 1961 cameo proof nickels are high value; a PR65 grade is $15, a PR66 is $22, a PR67 cameo is about $25, a PR68 is $120, and a PR69 can be about $260.

Depp cameo 1961 Jefferson coins, also made, are about PR66 grade $75, PR67 $130, and PR68 can be about $410.

1961 Nickel Error Coins

Ragged Clipped Planchet Error

This error occurs when a blank metallic disc is cut not accurately, making an irregular design, and part of the coins is not completely finished. Coins with an error are about $40.

Off-Center Strike Error

This error is caused when the die strike on coins is not accurately struck in the middle of the coins and makes off-center errors on the coins. The design of coins is missed or not accurately aligned. The value of percent off center defines coins worth. The 10 to 15 percent off-center is a low value compared to 50 percent off-center error coins.

Full Steps Variety

It is not an error that is a sharper stamping of the design that shows more clear details than normal coins like MONTICELLO. If there are 5 or 6 steps, nickel is a high value. The 1961 D nickels are rare, come with full steps, are high value, and a smaller number of coins exist. The 1961 D nickels with full steps are about $6,000.

Doubled die & tripled die error

The double-die error Coins come with a double design of coins and are at different points; that is due to minting. The coins with this error are about $25. In some conditions, the die needed more than 2 strikes when minting a person-not-aligned coin sub with the die. As a result, make coins have a triple die error. Coins with this error have a value of about $180, which is 1961 PR66 FS.

Die cracks error

If the die used for coin striking is older or has a crack on the die shifted to coins, make the die crack error on coins. The value of coins based on error on coins and die crack error coins is about $15.

History of the 1961 Nickels

The Jefferson nickel was first made in 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickels. The 1961 nickel is part of that series, and these coins are not rare, but the minting year has importance for USA history. In those years, the Space Race started when the USA got involved in the Cold War and the space race with the Soviet Union. In this year, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first US citizen to travel to space.

President Roosevelt asked to change the design of the buffalo nickels and decided to make new coins. So he decided to modernize USA coins.

The Roosevelt has admitted the Jefferson contribution. So the photo of Jefferson was added to coins in 5-cent nickels in 1938. At the start of 1938, there was a competition for nickel design. The coin design was made by Felix Schlag, and he won 1000 dollars for this design selection.

The 1961 nickels are part of this Jefferson nickel coin series and are important in USA history. There were proof coins with a normal strike also made.

Nickel	Minted
1961 No Mint Mark nickel	73,640,100
1961 proof nickel	3,028,144
1961 D nickel	229,342,760
Total	306,011,004

Features of the 1961 Nickel

obverse of the 1961 Jefferson nickel

The front side of 1961 nickels comes with a photo of Jefferson, the president facing left. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST, also written there, and the word LIBERTY were seen on this side.

Reverse of the 1961 Jefferson nickel

The back side of coins comes with the MONTICELLO building, home ofthe president. The word MONTICELLO is also written on this side. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is seen there, and the country name is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the denomination FIVE CENTS added on this side.

Some other features of 1961 nickels are as follows.

• The 1961 Jefferson nickel comes with a roundnd and plain edge shape with 75 percent copper and nickel.
The thickness of coins is 0.07677 inches, and the weight is 5 grams.
The diameter of coins is 0.83504 inches.

Face value	5 cents
Shape	Round
Coin weight	0.17637 ounces
Coin thickness	0.07677 inches
Coin diameter	0.83504 inches
Edge	Plain
Compound	75% copper and 25% nickel

FAQs

Is there any difference between Original Nickel Design & Modern Nickel Design?

The first nickel design was made in 1938 and was used until 2004 for the Jefferson nickel. That comes with a photo of Jefferson on the front side and Monticello on the back side. In 2004 the new nickel design was made, and these series of coins started in 2006, which come with Jefferson facing forward and the back side has Monticello.

Are 1961 nickels rare coins?

There are larger mintages of these coins made and many in circulation, so they are easy to find. But some high-grade coins are rare and high value.

Which 1961 Jefferson nickels high value?

Mint Mark	Grade	Type	Sold for	Sold in
D	MS 65	FS	$23,000	2004
–	MS 66	FS	$10,800	2022
–	MS 67	–	$6,325	2008
–	PR 69	DCAM	$3,408	2021
D	MS 67	–	$3,290	2015
–	PR 67	–	$1,380	2022
–	PR 68	CAM	$300	2019

What is the value of 1961 Jefferson nickels?

The 1961 Jefferson nickels are five-cent coins for circulated conditions. The value is based on conditions and grade. The uncirculated condition coins are about $2750. With an MS67 grade, it is $1300.

What is the high-value Jefferson nickel?

As the production of Jefferson nickels began in 1938, it is logical that specimens from an earlier period are fascinating to collectors. The result is that these coins’ prices are significant, particularly those with full steps.

Accordingly, the most expensive is the 1954 S coin with full steps in MS 67 grade. One collector paid a whopping $35,250 for one such piece at an auction in 2020.

Interestingly, other nickels’ value at auctions is pretty uniform. Thus, the coin minted in Denver in 1938 (MS 68 FS) and the one from 1969 (MS 65 FS) were sold for the same amount of $33,600 in 2022 and 2021. The most expensive error coin is the 1949 D/S MS 67 nickel, with a price of $32,900 reached in 2014.

How to find a 1961 nickel proof coin?

The proof 1961 nickel comes with a frosted design and a mirror-like finish. It provides a good look, and they are made at the Philadelphia mint, without a mint mark.

Is there any difference between a circulated and an uncirculated 1961 nickel?

The 1961 circulated coins can easily be found and come with signs of wear and tear, and the uncirculated condition coins are new coins not used for circulation. Uncirculated condition coins are high value since they come in better condition than circulated coins.

Can we clean 1961 nickel?

No, do not clean coins yourself since it can damage the surface and affect its value. If needed to clean coins, get the services of a professional.

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