The 1950-D Jefferson Nickel (Buy on eBay) is considered the key date coin of the series with a mintage of 2,630,030 pieces. The low mintage was immediately noted by collectors around the time of issue, which led to widespread hoarding and speculation.
After the mintage figure was revealed, collectors and even the broader public quickly pulled the coins from circulation. Prices for the issue rose steadily for many years until peaking around $25 per coin in the late 1960’s. At that point, a full roll of 1950-D Jefferson Nickels obtained from circulation for $2 was worth an incredible $1,000.
Prices eventually fell, as the widespread availability of the perceived rarity was realized. For modern-day collectors, the issue remains particularly abundant and is almost always encountered in uncirculated grades. The widespread hoarding had the impact of making this otherwise low mintage coin, readily available for future generations. Current pricing is around $15 for an uncirculated 1950-D nickel.
As with most other issues of the Jefferson Nickel series, top graded examples with full steps can drive a significant premium. The few examples graded MS67FS by PCGS have sold for as much as $5,000 each.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Felix O. Schlag
- Denomination: $0.05
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Diameter: 20.5 mm
- Weight: 5.00 g
- Edge: plain
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