1939-S Jefferson Nickel Value
Mintage: 6,630,000
REVERSE OF 1938
Finest Known: MS67 (NGC) MS67+ (PCGS)
Auction Record: $1,528 (MS67)
REVERSE OF 1940
Finest Known: MS67 (NGC) MS67 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $1,150 (MS67)
1939-S Jefferson nickel. Image: USA CoinBook
1939 was the first full year of production for the Jefferson nickel. The US Mint made a new master hub for the reverse of the coin to replace the poorly-cut original one. but the new dies were not ready before production of the 1939 Jefferson nickel began.
The most noticeable change on the new reverse was sharpening and straightening the weak uneven steps of Monticello that were on 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.
Image: PCGS
The Value of A 1939-S Jefferson Nickel
Approximately two of every three 1939-S Jefferson nickels were the “Reverse of 1938” sub-type. Combined with the low total mintage of the 1939-S, the “Reverse of 1940” sub-type is fairly scarce. This resulted in a relatively low number of Full Step examples, even compared to other early mintages.
The 1939-S Jefferson nickel is common up through MS66, but is a big condition rarity in MS67. Part of this is due to the San Francisco Mint using dies until details were worn away, even on a full strike.
1939-S (Reverse of 1938) Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $3 | $6 | $16 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24 | $35 | $65 | $1,528 |
1939-S (Reverse of 1938) Full Steps Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
Finest Known: MS67+ FS (NGC) MS67 FS (PCGS)
Auction Record: $8,050 (MS66 FS)
| Mint State 61 FS | Mint State 63 FS | Mint State 65 FS | Auction Record (MS66 FS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $85 | $225 | $8,050 |
1939-S (Reverse of 1940) Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $3 | $6 | $8 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $16 | $25 | $90 | $1,150 |
1939-S (Reverse of 1940) Full Steps Jefferson Nickel Price Guide
Finest Known: MS67 FS (NGC) MS67 FS (PCGS)
Auction Record: $7,800 (MS67 FS)
| Mint State 61 FS | Mint State 63 FS | Mint State 65 FS | Auction Record (MS67 FS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $100 | $225 | $7,800 |
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.