1939-D Jefferson Nickel Value
Mintage: 3,514,000
REVERSE OF 1938
Finest Known: MS68 (NGC) MS67+ (PCGS)
Auction Record: $2,233 (MS67)
REVERSE OF 1940
Finest Known: MS67 (NGC) MS69 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $1,093 (MS67)
1939-D Jefferson nickel. Image: USA CoinBook
1939 was the first full year of production for the Jefferson nickel. Compared to the 120 million nickels produced at the main US Mint in Philadelphia, the Denver mint made hardly any nickels at all. The three and a half million 1939-D mintage is the second-lowest mintage in Jefferson nickel history.
There are two sub-types of 1939 Jefferson nickel: the “Reverse of 1938” and the “Reverse of 1940”. The original master hub for the reverse was not the best work of the Mint’s engravers. The weak, curved steps on Monticello were especially noticeable.
The original 1938 obverse design saw minor adjustments to start the year, but work on fixing the mushy reverse design wasn’t ready until weeks later. By that time, Jefferson nickel production had already begun.
Image: PCGS
The biggest change on the new reverse was sharpening and straightening the weak and curvy steps on Monticello that plagued the original master hub. Since 1939 Jefferson nickels were struck with both the old and new hubs, it was decided to call the old reverse the “Reverse of 1938” and the new reverse the “Reverse of 1940” since 1940 would be the first full year it was used.
The Value of A 1939-D Jefferson Nickel
It is estimated that about one in four 1939-D Jefferson nickels are the “Reverse of 1938” type.
1939-D (Reverse of 1938) Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $14 | $30 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45 | $55 | $80 | $2,233 |
1939-D (Reverse of 1938) Full Steps Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
Finest Known: MS68 FS (NGC) MS67+ FS (PCGS)
Auction Record: $7,475 (MS66 FS)
| Mint State 61 FS | Mint State 63 FS | Mint State 65 FS | Auction Record (MS66 FS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $75 | $140 | $400 | $7,475 |
1939-D (Reverse of 1940) Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $6 | $10 | $13 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38 | $65 | $90 | $1,093 |
1939-D (Reverse of 1940) Full Steps Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
Finest Known: MS68 FS (NGC) MS68 FS (PCGS)
Auction Record: $26,400 (MS68 FS)
| Mint State 61 FS | Mint State 63 FS | Mint State 65 FS | Auction Record (MS68 FS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $75 | $300 | $26,400 |
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Proof and prooflike examples of this issue may have greater or lesser "finest known" and different record auction prices.