Price Guide for 1981 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 PriceUncirculated: $60.00 – $3,738.00
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eBayUncirculated: $9.99 – $5,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $18.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $374.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.01 – $2,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1.00 – $525.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $24.00 – $236.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $3,450.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $1,599.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1.00 – $35.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $633.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.76 – $177.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $2,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $2,990.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.73 – $668.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $3,525.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $2,767.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1981 Nickel
The 1981 Jefferson Nickel continues the long-standing design introduced in 1938. This year marked the beginning of a new decade, with the United States experiencing economic challenges under President Ronald Reagan’s administration. The nickel, despite inflation, remained an important part of everyday commerce.
| Weight | 5.0 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.21 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, designed by Felix Schlag |
| Reverse Design | Monticello, Jefferson's home, designed by Felix Schlag |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in the value of 1981 nickels. While most circulated examples hold only face value, uncirculated coins can command a premium. Coins in MS65 and above are of particular interest to collectors, with those grading MS67 or higher being quite scarce and valuable.
The quality of the strike is important, with well-struck examples showing full detail on Jefferson’s hair and Monticello’s steps being more desirable. Luster is another key factor, with coins exhibiting full, original mint luster being more valuable.
Mintage: 657,504,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to date and mint mark collectors
Mintage: 364,801,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to date and mint mark collectors
Toning can significantly impact a 1981 nickel’s value. While most nickels don’t tone as readily as silver coins, some can develop attractive toning over time. Coins with natural, appealing toning patterns may command a premium among collectors.
Full Step (FS) designations are particularly important for Jefferson nickels. Coins showing five or six full steps on Monticello are more valuable, as they indicate a strong strike and good preservation. However, Full Step examples from 1981 are relatively scarce, making them highly sought after by specialists.
While no major errors or varieties are known for 1981 nickels, any discovered significant die errors or doubled die varieties could potentially add substantial value to a coin.
