SPARE CHANGE I’m a coin collector – your nickel could be worth $3,400, the ‘funky’ strike error to look for
IF you look closely, you could have the exact features that make your nickel worth thousands.
According to coin collector and TikToker Blake Alma, one previously sold for $3,400.
Blake goes by coinhub on TikTok and talks about all things collectibles: coins, dollars, and even baseball cards.
With over 825,000 followers on the platform, he typically sticks to coins as he is a trove of knowledge.
Recently, Blake took to TikTok and revealed what makes this Jefferson nickel valuable.
So get out your nickels and check for these two factors:
- A 1954 date
- An S mintmark error
The mintmark error
In order for your nickel to be worth anything significant, you must have a particular mintmark error.
To find the mintmark, flip the coin over to its back and the mintmark will be on the right-hand side.
You should see an S signifying that it was minted in San Francisco.
But if you look closer, Blake said you may see something “funky”.
On some of these nickels, below the S is what looks like the letter D, which stands for Denver.
If the S is over the D on your coin, that is an error that happened when the nickel was being minted.
So, if you have both of these factors, the 1954 date and the error mintmark, your coin could be worth up to $3,400.
The history of Jefferson nickels
These coins were designed by Felix Schlag, a German-born American sculptor.
Jefferson nickels feature the third US president’s portrait on the obverse with some years featuring the date and mintmark, while others have the date and the words, IN GOD WE TRUST.
On the reverse side is a picture of Monticello, his Virginia home.
Typically, the nickels are made of a nickel-copper mix, which breaks down to about 25% nickel and 75% copper.
Jefferson nickels are minted in the following locations: San Francisco, Denver, and the Philadelphia mint.
You’ll be able to spot the mint location on the coin by looking out for the letter marks “D,” “P,” and “S.”
How to spot rare coins
There are many ways you can find rare coins.
But first, make sure you research the coin first and know what it’s worth before buying.
Typically, the most valuable coins are ones with a low mintage or an error, as it makes them rare.
You could try to get a good deal online through eBay, where rare coins are frequently auctioned.
You just need to search the full coin name, select the “sold” listing and then toggle the search to “highest value”.
If your coins are rare and valuable, you can sell them on eBay or go through a specialist site such as Coinappraiser or USA Coin Book.
The Sun revealed how your 2000s quarter could be worth $13,000 – the strike error to look for.
Plus, the most valuable state quarters worth up to $788 – see if you have one of them in your spare change.