1941 Nickel Value: are “D”, “S”, No mint mark worth money?

If you’ve recently come across a 1941 nickel coin and you’re wondering about its value in today’s market, you’ve come to the right spot. Do you want to know if this coin might be more valuable than others from the same era and if it is worth holding onto or selling for profit?

Here we provide answers to these valid questions by delving into the current value of the 1941 nickel and outlining factors that contribute to its worth.

1941 Nickel Details

Here is a summary of the 1941 nickel’s details;

• Category: Jefferson five cents
• Mint: Denver, Philadelphia, and San-Francisco
• Total Mintage: 300,160,720
• Obverse Designer: Felix O. Schlag
• Reverse Designer: Felix O. Schlag
• Edge: plain
• Diameter: 21.20mm
• Thickness: 1.95mm
• Composition: 75% copper and 25% nickel
• Weight: 5.00g

The 1941 nickel is distinct, possessing an accumulation of details that make distinguishing it from other coins from that era relatively easy. First, we begin with the obverse of the 1941 nickel. Here, you will find a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and the man responsible for the declaration of independence.

Turning to the reverse side of the coin, you’ll find Jefferson’s famous residence, Monticello, with the Latin slogan “E PLURIBUS UNUM” inscribed above the top of the Monticello home and close to the edge of the coin.

Also, on the reverse are the words “FIVE CENTS” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” placed in a curved manner under the name of the house, “MONTICELLO”.

Furthermore, apart from the inscriptions, the image of Thomas Jefferson, and the Monticello home, another quality that sets the 1941 Nickel apart from other U.S. coins is that the Philadelphia mint made fewer proof coins. This makes mints from Philadelphia to be sought after and quite precious.

For nickels produced in Denver and San Francisco, you’ll find that between the coin’s right rim and the Monticello building are inscriptions of small letters “d” or “s”.

Moving away from the distinctive design and marks, another feature that sets the 1941 Nickel apart is its composition which significantly influences its value and rarity.

Since Nickel is a unique metal that has retained its worth over time, its high nickel content makes it desirable for coin collectors and enthusiasts.

Other notable details of the 1941 nickel are the similarities in dimensions to other nickels made at the time. The coin is 21.2 millimeters in diameter, 1.95 millimeters thick, and weighs 5 grams. Finally, it was of a uniform physical dimension with other nickel coins of the time, which guaranteed that it would circulate perfectly.

Also Read: 15 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

1941 Nickel Value Chart

Mint mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated (Mint State)
1941 No Mint Mark Nickel Value	$0.15	$0.25	$0.35	$15.00
1941 “D” Mint Mark Nickel Value	$0.15	$0.25	$0.47	$13.00
1941 “S” Mint Mark Nickel Value	$0.15	$0.25	$0.58	$15.00
1941 Proof Nickel Value	$18	$27	$55	$105

1941 Nickel Values and Varieties Guides

Understanding the prices and variations of the 1941 nickel is crucial if you’re interested in buying or selling these coins. In addition to specific unique variants, here, you’ll find information on how to estimate the value of your 1941 nickel below.

1941 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

• Type: Jefferson Nickel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint mark: None
• Place of minting: Philadelphia
• Year of minting: 1941
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $0.15 to $120+
• Quantity produced: 203,265,000
• Designer: Felix O. Schlag

When dealing with 1941 No Mint Mark Nickel, you must first understand that it is by no mistake that this Nickel possesses no mint marks. This attribute is for circulation purposes, and the  United States Mint conceived the idea.

The U.S. Mint deliberately created and circulated several 1941 Nickel coins without mint marks to conserve metal for the war effort. In addition, the Mints intended to preserve the quantity of Nickel at the time by erasing the mint markings from all coins produced at its facilities since Nickel was a crucial metal for making armory.

The value of 1941 No Mint Mark Nickel ranges from $0.11 to $13, depending on its condition. Although these coins aren’t expensive, those with completely visible 5 to 6 steps can cost anywhere from $12 to $350.

In excellent condition, this coin can sell for thousands of dollars. For instance, a collector offered over $5000 for this exceptional item at the Superior Galleries auction.

1941 D Mint Mark Nickel Value

• Type: Jefferson Nickel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint mark: D
• Place of minting: Denver
• Year of minting: 1941
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $0.15 to $100+
• Quantity produced:53,432,000
• Designer: Felix O. Schlag

These D mint stamped nickels were produced at the Denver Mint and accounted for slightly more than one-fifth of all 1941 nickels produced. In addition to this,  the value of the coin was dependent on its condition. For example, a 1941 D nickel in good, uncirculated condition typically sells for between $0.3 and $12.

However, the value of highly collectible 1941 D nickels in excellent condition might be much higher, possibly reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. As an illustration, a regular coin with an MS 68 grading set a new auction record in 2019 when it sold for $9,900 at Heritage Auctions.

1941 S Mint Mark Nickel Value

• Type: Jefferson Nickel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint mark: S
• Place of minting: San Francisco
• Year of minting: 1941
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $0.15 to $150+
• Quantity produced:43,445,000
• Designer: Felix O. Schlag

With fewer than one-sixth of the entire mintage, the San Francisco mint produced the fewest nickels in 1941. This means the value of the 1941 S nickel depends on its scarcity and quality. A 1941 S coin in the average circulating condition is worth between $0.11 and $1.

Nevertheless, if the coin is in mint condition, it can be worth much more, ranging from $100 to $250 or more, depending on the precise grade of the coin.

Finally, you’ll find that owning a 1941 S nickel in excellent condition could be worth thousands of dollars; this is if you are fortunate to find one similar to the MS67-graded piece that sold at the Heritage Auctions for nearly $9,000

1941 Proof Nickel Value

• Type: Jefferson Nickel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint mark: None
• Place of minting: Philadelphia
• Year of minting: 1941
• Face value: $0.05
• $ price: $15 to $650+
• Quantity produced: 18,720
• Designer: Felix O. Schlag

The 1941 Proof mint mark nickel coins are a specific variety of nickels produced using a different manufacturing technique than typical coins in circulation. A higher grade of metal and a more exact striking process creating a sharper and more detailed image was used to produce Proof Nickel.

They are the rarest 1941 nickels, especially since the Philadelphia mint only made a small number; it is no wonder that coin enthusiasts refer to the 1941 Proof Nickel, created especially for collectors, as the rare pre-World War coin. The coin is worth $18 to $105 in good condition and up to $18,000 in the best mint state.

Also Read: Top 110 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

1941 Nickel History

A rich history of American nickel coins preceded the 1941 nickel. The original nickel coin in the United States was produced in 1866 and contained the exact percentages of copper and Nickel as the 1941 nickel: 75% copper and 25%. Due to its tiny size and adaptability, Nickel was a widely used currency and a vital part of the American economy.

Felix Oscar Schlag, a medallist and American artist of German descent, created the 1941 coin. Schlag won the 1938 U.S. Mint design competition for a new nickel to replace the previous buffalo image on the coin’s reverse. Over hundreds of other designs, his, which included Thomas Jefferson’s house Monticello, won the competition.

Although the presentation of Schlag’s design occurred in 1938, production constraints brought on by World War II delayed the coin’s introduction until 1941. In 2003 when the U.S. Mint unveiled a brand-new nickel design to mark the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, they discarded the old pattern.

The strains of the time are visible in the design of the 1941 nickel, which was struck as the nation was on the verge of entering World War II. The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, is portrayed in front of an elaborate wreath that almost has a militaristic feel. Jefferson’s Virginia mansion, Monticello, is depicted on the reverse side, with a five-cent coin visible in the foreground.

To successfully give an account of the history of the 1941 nickel, the war effort is crucial. Midway through 1942, the nickel composition changed to a blend of copper, silver, and manganese to conserve metal resources for the war. Due to its increased scarcity, as a result, collectors started looking for the 1941 nickel right away.

The 1941 nickel is still one of the most coveted coins in American history today. Due to its rarity, distinctive design, and enigmatical origins, it captivates collectors and historians alike.

Despite being only a little piece of metal, the 1941 nickel is a window into American history. It represents the resourcefulness and inventiveness of the country’s people.

Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

1941 Nickel Grading

The coin grading system ranges from 1 to 70. A coin with a grade of 1 is in the worst condition possible, with most of the design’s finer details worn away. In contrast, a coin with a grade of 70 is perfect.

Here’s a video showing several grades of the 1941 nickel, from good to mint or uncirculated.

Lists of 1941 Nickel Error

Collectors highly prize the 1941 Jefferson nickel due to its reputation for having multiple flaws and variants. These modifications can range from small, hardly perceptible changes to more significant, more obvious changes that have raised the coin’s worth. Here are some of the 1941 nickel’s most common errors and variants.

1. 1941 Nickel Double Die Error

The reverse side of the coin features a pattern that seems like it was struck twice, creating a doubling effect. This is particularly visible in the lettering of the word “Monticello” and the steps leading up to the building. Collectors prize this error as unusual and precious and, depending on the coin’s quality, can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars.

2. 1941 Nickel Off-Center Error

This error results from the coin’s design needing to be appropriately struck in the center of the blank planchet (a blank piece of metal before it becomes a coin), and it can cause the image on the obverse or reverse side of the coin to appear off-center. Also, the degree of off-centering can vary, with coins with a more significant shift being more valuable to collectors.

3. 1941 Nickel With Repunched Mint Mark Error

This error is a coin variety that occurs when the mint mark is stamped onto the coin more than once, creating a doubled or tripled appearance. This error is most evident in the “D” mint mark, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the degree of repunching and overall condition of the coin.

4. 1941 Nickel With Die Cracks

Die Cracks can result in the coin’s design having certain pieces distorted or missing, giving it a distinctive appearance. Both the front and reverse of the coin may develop cracks, which can vary in size and shape. Compared to other, more severe, rare errors, Collectors often regard the 1941 nickel with Die Cracks error as a minor variant with a lower value.

1941 Nickel FAQs

Is The 1941 Nickel Rare?

Although it is not rare, the 1941 nickel is a favorite among coin collectors. Since 1941, nickels were produced in the millions; they are relatively common. However, the currency is desirable to collectors because of its historical importance and scarcity in specific grades and conditions.

How Can I Tell if My 1941 Nickel Is Valuable?

Start by looking for any evidence of wear or damage to the coin. A never-used 1941 nickel in good condition is typically worth more than one with significant wear or damage. By comparing your coin’s design with pictures of the original design, you should check for any flaws or variations that can raise the coin’s worth.

Remember that estimating a coin’s worth can be challenging because even little variations in rarity or condition can significantly impact the coin’s value. Therefore, to confirm your coin’s validity, condition, and worth, it is advisable to have it graded by a reputable coin grading service.