Price Guide for 1939 Nickel Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00 – $345.00Uncirculated: $31.00 – $4,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.99 – $450.00Uncirculated: $5.97 – $3,725.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $8.00 – $390.00Uncirculated: $415.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $75.00 – $160.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $2,233.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.50 – $49.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $3,310.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $42.00Uncirculated: $45.00 – $675.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $60.00Uncirculated: $525.00 – $23,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $60.00 – $279.95Uncirculated: $34.95 – $2,899.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $425.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $420.00 – $1,006.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $1,528.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.00 – $75.00Uncirculated: $4.99 – $750.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $20.00Uncirculated: $24.00 – $850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $60.00 – $8,050.00
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eBayUncirculated: $63.00 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $19.00Uncirculated: $12.00 – $1,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.03 – $29.99Uncirculated: $3.00 – $699.60
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $5.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $3,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $19.00Uncirculated: $23.00 – $1,093.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.38 – $74.99Uncirculated: $33.50 – $644.94
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $4.00 – $32.00Uncirculated: $35.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $235.00Uncirculated: $10.00 – $1,208.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.04 – $22.50Uncirculated: $6.25 – $465.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11.00 – $23,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $17.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $21.00 – $1,499.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,600.00Uncirculated: $18.00 – $15,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $79.00 – $4,450.90
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $14,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $74.00 – $7,475.00
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eBayUncirculated: $140.00 – $1,199.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $150.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14.00 – $1,150.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.00 – $75.00Uncirculated: $22.46 – $575.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $11.00Uncirculated: $14.00 – $1,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00Uncirculated: $12.00 – $18,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $17.00 – $1,170.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $37.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $633.00 – $1,323.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $10,350.00Uncirculated: $1,997.50 – $8,812.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $200.00 – $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $112.00 – $12,925.00
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eBayUncirculated: $305.00 – $900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $175.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,088.00 – $6,440.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $32.00 – $5,287.50
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eBayUncirculated: $27.00 – $939.75
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $27.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $85.00 – $372.00Uncirculated: $258.50 – $2,350.00
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eBayCirculated: $50.00 – $375.00Uncirculated: $238.50 – $620.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $6.00 – $350.00Uncirculated: $375.00 – $2,900.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $552.00 – $4,700.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.50 – $176.50Uncirculated: $225.00 – $1,090.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $525.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,000.00Uncirculated: $73.70 – $26,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $181.62 – $2,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $55.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,800.00 – $2,200.00Uncirculated: $24.00 – $7,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $24.52 – $749.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $20.00 – $8,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.50 – $500.00Uncirculated: $6.99 – $796.88
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $100.00Uncirculated: $110.00 – $500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $51.00 – $88.00Uncirculated: $144.00 – $441.00
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eBayUncirculated: $99.99 – $295.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $37.00Uncirculated: $40.00 – $300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $258.50 – $3,055.00
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eBayCirculated: $49.95Uncirculated: $37.00 – $1,187.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $80.00 – $1,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1939 Nickel
The 1939 Jefferson Nickel was part of the second year of production for this iconic design. It replaced the Buffalo Nickel and marked a significant change in American coinage. The Jefferson Nickel series, which continues to this day, was introduced to honor the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.
1939 was a year of global tension, with World War II beginning in Europe. The coin’s production reflected the United States’ pre-war economy and the continuing popularity of the new design among the public.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Mint Marks | D, S (No mint mark for Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, designed by Felix Schlag |
| Reverse Design | Monticello, Jefferson's home, designed by Felix Schlag |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of a 1939 Jefferson Nickel significantly impacts its value. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are highly sought after by collectors, especially for the lower mintage Denver and San Francisco issues. The presence of full steps on Monticello (visible steps leading to the building’s entrance) is a crucial factor in determining premium values for high-grade specimens.
Luster is another important consideration, with coins retaining their original mint luster commanding higher prices. Toning, if present and attractive, can also enhance a coin’s desirability and value.
Mintage: 120,615,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, but scarce in MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular as part of the Jefferson Nickel series
Mintage: 3,514,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to lower mintage and key date status
Mintage: 6,630,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to lower mintage
Strike quality is particularly important for 1939 Jefferson Nickels. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Monticello’s steps, are highly prized. The Denver and San Francisco issues, due to their lower mintages, generally command higher premiums than their Philadelphia counterparts in similar grades.
While not particularly rare in circulated conditions, high-grade examples (MS65 and above) of all mint marks can be quite valuable. The 1939-D, being a key date, is especially desirable in high grades. Collectors also value original, unaltered surfaces, so coins that have never been cleaned or improperly handled tend to fetch higher prices.
