The Jefferson nickel coins were made in 1938 after replacing the buffalo nickels. Jefferson nickels were made to honor the Jefferson USA 3rd president and have a photo of the president. The 1974 nickels are part of a series that has importance in USA coin history and come with different grades and values.
1976 Jefferson Nickels Pre-War Composition
1976 No Mint Mark Nickel Value
The Philadelphia mint made about 367,124,000 nickel coins in 1976, and these coins did not have a mint mark. The value of these coins in uncirculated condition is about 40 cents to $4, according to condition.
Good conditions These coins are about face value, five cents. Fine conditions are of high value.
MS60 grade 1976 no mint coins are about one dollar, and MS63 grade coins are about $7. MS66 grade coins are $50.
In 2022, no mint 1976 nickel sold for $2175. Full step MS64 nickels are about $45, and MS66 full step is more than $1000.
1976 D Nickel Value
The Denver mint also made 1976 nickels, and these coins come with a D mint mark. These coins come with a value more than face value. Good condition coins are about 5 cents. Fine conditions are higher value.
Uncirculated 1976 D nickels can be about 40 cent to $4. The Denver mint made about 563,964,147 coins.
MS60-grade coins are about $1, and MS63 can be about $8.
High-grade coins are in the range of $10 to $20, and the MS66 grade is $35. In 2018, 1976 D nickels sold for $1700.
Full step Denver mint MS64 grade is $12, and MS65 is $25.
MS66 full steps are about $300, and MS67 is more than $3,000.
1976 S Nickel Value
The S mint also made nickels in 1976, but these coins are proof coins that come with a special look and are made with a certain type of surface.
These proof coins are made only for collectors and used by them. The face value of 1976 S nickels in uncirculated conditions is about $3.
The S mint made about 4,149,730 coins.
The 1976 S proof nickels with PR60 grade are one dollar. The higher grades are in the range of $10 to $15.
PR70 grade 1976 proof nickels are more than $550. In the 2015 auction, this coin sold for $4,230.
History of the 1976 Nickel
The Jefferson nickels were made after the Buffalo nickels as a replacement for these coins that were made from 1913 to 1938. There were many problems facing the mining of buffalo nickels, so a new design was made as an honor to the president. Jefferson wrote the US Declaration of Independence and was the 3rd president.
In7, the U.S. Mint made a 5-cent design of coins through completion, and about 400 designs were received, and the design of designer Felix Schlag was selected for the new coins.
The new design of coins comes with a photo of Jefferson on the front side, and the back side has a Monticello image.
The Jefferson nickels after the new design selection used in 1938. Until 1964, Jefferson nickels came with a mint mark on the back side.
The composition of Jefferson nickels changed in WWII to include silver and manganese with copper. They also come with a mint mark over Monticello.
The nickels made in 1942 are war nickels, and the composition and position of the mark changed in 1946 to the original position.
Jefferson nickels were made from 1938 to 2004. The 1976 Jefferson nickels are the same as the 1938 nickels and have the same design. Their mintages from different mints are as
| Mint | Mintage |
| 1976 nickel | 367,124,000 |
| 1976 S proof nickel | 4,149,730 |
| 1976 D nickel | 563,964,147 |
| Total | 935,237,877 |
Features of the 1976 Nickel
obverse of the 1976 nickel
The front side of 1976 nickels comes with a photo of the president with an 18th-century wig. The designer’s initials, FS, are also written. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is also written on this side. The word LIBERTY is also there.
Reverse of the 1976 nickel
The back side of 1976 nickels comes with Monticello, which is the home of Jefferson. The word MONTICELLO is also seen there, and the motto is E PLURIBUS UNUM. The country name UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is written at the nickel’s bottom edge.
1976 Nickel Errors List
Wrong Planchet Error
- This error coin was struck on another type of coin planchet. Normally, 1976 nickels struck with dime planchets come with a nickel design. In this error we can see partial missed details on the side due to the die planchet strike.
- The new coin with a dime planchet strike is 0.7 inches compared to 0.84 inches, and the weight is 0.07 ounces compared to 0.18 ounces (5 g).
struck on a Philippine 1-sentimo planchet
- In this error, 1976 Nickel USA coins were struck on a planchet of a Philippine Sentimo. Those coins is made with 95% aluminum with magnesium that has a weight of 0.04 ounces (1.2 g). The 1976 nickel stroke coins come with different designs.
Curved clip error
- This error coin is cut at the time of striking and has a value in the range of $100 and higher based on grade and conditions.
Off-center Error
- This error occurs at the time of striking on coins, and some part of the coin is missed, which makes an off-center error. The value of this error is based on the off-center percentage, and 50 percent off-center error coins are high value. The 1976 nickel 65 percent off center sold for about $70.
Double Struck Error
This error coin comes with a doubling effect on the design and letters mentioned on coins that make a double die error. Coins with their error have a value of about $100.
1976 nickels struck on a split planchet
The split planchet occurs when gas and dust are on the metallic blank at the time of the planchet strip. Where the affected planchet part is split. Coins with split planchet errors come with solid alloy and have a high value of more than $50.
FAQs
How much is a 1976 nickel worth?
The value of a 1976 nickel is based on condition and grade. Circulated conditions are about 5 cents. Mit states their value is higher from ten cents to $3000 based on grade and conditions.
How to 1976 nickel is high value?
Circulated 1976 nickels are low value, but some uncirculated conditions are high value and made for collectors. So check the type of nickel, grade, and conditions for finding value.
Are 1976 nickels rare?
The 1976 nickels are not rare coins, but some high-grade coins with minting errors are considered rare and high value.
Can we clean 1976?
No, it is not recommended to clean your 1976 nickel before getting it authenticated and graded by a professional third-party grading service. Cleaning coins can actually do more harm than good, so it’s best to leave them untouched.
Are 1976 nickels valuable and scarce?
The 1976 nickels are not rare coins. However, the Full Steps variety and some error coins can be scarce, particularly in the highest grades.
Which 1976 nickels are particularly valuable?
| Nickel | Mint Mark | Type | Grade | Sold for |
| 1976 | S | DCAM | PR 70 | $4,230.00 |
| 1976 | — | FS | MS 67 | $4,025.00 |
| 1976 | S | — | PR 70 | $2,975 |
| 1976 | — | — | MS 69 | $2,175 |
| 1976 | D | FS | MS 67 | $1,800 |
| 1,976 | D | — | MS 63 | $1,700 |
| 1,976 | S | CAM | PR 67 | $47 |
| 1,976 | S | DCAM | PR 68 | $15 |
What is the value of 1976 nickels with no mint mark?
The 1976 nickels in circulated conditions are about 5 cents, and mint state coins are about $1 to $3000. Its value is based on error and grade, with steps seen on Monticello.
What is the most valueable nickel?
| Nickel | Type | Mint Mark | Variation | Grade | Sale Year | Sale Price |
| 1,913 | Liberty Head (Type 2) | — | With CENTS | PR 66 | 2018 | $4,560,000 |
| 1,954 | Jefferson | S | Full Steps | MS 67 | 2020 | $35,250 |
Read also
- 1974 Nickel Value Features, Error, Types
- 1966 Nickel Value: Features, Error, Types, Mint mark
- 1952 nickel value: Features, Error, Types & Mint Mark
- 1958 Nickel value: Features, Error, Types, Mint Mark
- 1940 Nickel Value Features Error, Types & Mint mark