The 1944 nickel is one of only four silver Jefferson nickels. The circulated coins are only worth a couple of cents, but the uncirculated coins can fetch thousands of dollars. In this article, we’ve collated all the value-related information you need to know about the 1944 Jefferson nickel. So stick till the end to see which varieties are rare and expensive.
1944 Nickel: Grades and Values
1944 5-cent coins are special, seeing as they’re made with silver. Still, the coins are accessible and mostly inexpensive. Circulated grades cost $3 at most, while the almost uncirculated coins are worth $5 to $6.
Mint state coins start out at $6 and can reach up to $150 for the gem uncirculated coins. Additionally, full steps 1944 nickels range between $10 for an entry-grade coin and $2,650 for an MS67+ gem.
| 1944 Nickel: Grade and Value Chart | |||
|
UGrade |
1944 No-mint mark | 1944-D Nickel | 1944-S Nickel |
| Poor (P1) | $0.2 | $0.25 | $0.25 |
| Good (G4) | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Fine (F12) | $3 | $3 | $2 |
| Extremely fine (EF 20) | $3 | $3 | $2 |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) | $5 | $5 | $2.5 |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU58) | $6 | $6 | $3 |
| Mint State (60) | $7
$8 (FS) |
$6
$8 (FS) |
$6
$10 (FS) |
| Mint State (65) | $32
$68 (FS) |
$18
$32 (FS) |
$18
$185 (FS)
|
| Mint State (67+) | $360
$4,600 (FS)
|
$215
$425 (FS) |
$150
$2,650 (FS)
|
The 1944 Jefferson nickel was the second to last of the “war nickels” that were struck from 1942 to 1945 during the Second World War. Despite the name, the coins didn’t have any nickel in them and were instead made from an alloy of copper (56%), silver (35%), and manganese (9%), as nickel had been removed from US coins as it was needed for ammunition for the war efforts.
1944 Jefferson nickels measure 21.2 mm in diameter and weigh 5.00 grams. They were struck at Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco with a total mintage of 173.05 million.
1944 Nickel Full Steps
Some Jefferson nickels have a special designation called full steps (FS). The term refers to the steps on the building on the reverse face of the coin.
Nickels that are designated as full steps have at least five clear and uninterrupted lines on the stairs, indicating that the coin was well-struck with fresh dies.
FS 1944 nickels are fewer and have a higher value than normal mint state nickels, especially the higher graded FS coins, which typically sell for up to $10,000.
1944-P Nickel Value
The 1944-P Jefferson 5-cent coins had a Mintage of 119.1 million, and due to this, circulated examples are very common. The lowest grades cost $0.2, just slightly more than the coin’s face value. But a fairly circulated coin at EF40 can go for $3, while an almost uncirculated AU58 costs $6.
The truly uncirculated 1944-P nickels start modestly, at $7 for an MS60, but the value rises by small increments to $32 for an MS65. After MS65, the coins start becoming scarce, and we see a small spike in value to $65 for an MS66, $110 for an MS67, and $360 for an MS67+.
1944-P nickels are rare after MS67. Any coin higher than MS67 will be worth at least $750, which is the auction record for a 1944-P. This MS68 coin was auctioned by Heritage Auctions in July 2023.
Full Steps
As you’d expect, nickels with full steps are more expensive than regular mint-state coins. But between MS60 and MS64, the price difference isn’t too great, just about $2 to $3.
But after MS64, scarcity kicks in, and the value of a full steps nickel spikes, steadily increasing from $65 for an MS65 to an impressive $4,600 for an MS67+, which is more than ten times the value of a regular MS67 nickel.
But the auction record is even more impressive; it stands at $9,400 for an FS MS67+ sold at a 2014 Heritage Auctions event.
| 1944-P Nickel: Grade and Value Chart | ||
| Grade | Regular Strike | Full Steps (FS) |
| Poor (P1) | $0.2 | – |
| Good (G4) | $1 | – |
| Fine (F12) | $3 | – |
| Extremely Fine (EF 40) | $3 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 50) | $5 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 58) | $6 | – |
| MS 60 | $7 | $8 |
| MS 61 | $8 | $10 |
| MS 62 | $10 | $12 |
| MS 63 | $17 | $18 |
| MS 64 | $22 | $28 |
| MS 64+ | $24 | $36 |
| MS 65 | $32 | $65 |
| MS 65+ | $36 | $85 |
| MS 66 | $42 | $120 |
| MS 66+ | $65 | $400 |
| MS 67 | $110 | $725 |
| MS 67+ | $360 | $4,600 |
| MS 68 | – | – |
| Auction record | $750 | $9,400 |
1944-D Nickel Value
In 1944, the Denver Mint struck approximately 32.3 million nickels. These D-marked nickels are common in circulated grades but scarce in mint state grades, particularly MS65 and higher.
The value of circulated 1944-D nickels is between $0.25 and $2. In comparison, almost uncirculated 1944-D nickels cost $3.
However, uncirculated 1944-D Jefferson nickels have a generally lower value than the Philadelphia nickels. An MS60 goes for $6, and an MS65 costs $18. The trend continues into the higher grades, as MS67 and MS67+ are worth $100 and $215, respectively.
The reason for the lower value seen with 1944-D nickels despite the smaller mintage is that these coins were hoarded, so there are more uncirculated 1944-D nickels than uncirculated 1944-P nickels.
Full Steps
Just like the plain MS nickels, 1944-D FS also has a lower value compared to the 1944-P FS nickels.
The sub-MS65 full steps 1944-D nickels are valued between $8 and $30. MS65 and 66 go for $38 and $80, an MS67 costs $200, and a gem uncirculated MS68 is worth $6,350.
But these coins can sometimes cost more, which is the case of a 1944-D MS68 with full steps. It was auctioned for $22,325 at a 2012 Stacks and Bowers auction.
| 1944-D Nickel: Grade and Value Chart | ||
| Grade | Regular Strike | Full Steps (FS) |
| Poor (P1) | $0.25 | – |
| Good (G4) | $1 | – |
| Fine (F12) | $2 | – |
| Extremely Fine (EF 40) | $2 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 50) | $2.5 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 58) | $3 | – |
| MS 60 | $6 | $8 |
| MS 61 | $6 | $8 |
| MS 62 | $6 | $8 |
| MS 63 | $12 | $17 |
| MS 64 | $18 | $30 |
| MS 65 | $18 | $38 |
| MS65+ | $24 | $45 |
| MS 66 | $37 | $60 |
| MS 66+ | $42 | $80 |
| MS 67 | $100 | $200 |
| MS 67+ | $215 | $425 |
| MS 68 | $2,000 | $6,350 |
1944-S Nickel Value
The San Francisco mint struck the least number of 1944 nickels, Just 21.6 million of them, and most of the coins still survive today.
Like with the other two mint marks, the highest graded circulated 1944-S are worth $2, while almost uncirculated nickels are worth $3.
Mint state 1944-S nickels have the least value of all 1994 mint state nickels despite having the smallest mintage. There are significantly more mint state 1944 nickels with an S mint mark than any other mint mark, as the coins weren’t as circulated.
This surplus of uncirculated coins impacts the value. A 1944-S nickel costs $6 for MS60 and $18 for MS65. MS66 and 67 cost $46 and $150 respectively, and MS68 is worth $1,500.
At the moment, the auction record for a 1944-S nickel stands at $6,170 for an MS68+ auctioned at a Legend Rare Coins auction in 2021.
Full Steps
The 1944-S full step nickels have very good value compared to the normal 1944-S uncirculated coins. An FS MS60 costs $10, and an FS MS65, which goes for $185, is worth ten times as much as a regular MS65.
The difference is even more pronounced at the higher end of the spectrum, as an FS MS67 costs $750, and if you have an MS68 FS gem, it can fetch you $18,000.
That’s about $4,000 more than the 2015 Heritage Auctions auction record of $14,100 for an MS68 FS 1944-S nickel.
| 1944-S Nickel: Grade and Value Chart | ||
| Grade | Regular Strike | Full Steps (FS) |
| Poor (P1) | $0.25 | – |
| Good (G4) | $1 | – |
| Fine (F12) | $1 | – |
| Extremely Fine (EF 40) | $2 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 50) | $2 | – |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU 58) | $3 | – |
| MS 60 | $6 | $10 |
| MS 61 | $6 | $12 |
| MS 62 | $6 | $17 |
| MS 63 | $12 | $58 |
| MS 64 | $18 | $85 |
| MS 65 | $18 | $185 |
| MS 65+ | $24 | $235 |
| MS 66 | $35 | $450 |
| MS 66+ | $46 | $550 |
| MS 67 | $125 | $750 |
| MS 67+ | $150 | $2650 |
| MS 68 | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Auction record | $6,169 (MS 68+) | $14,000 (MS 68) |
1944 Jefferson Nickel: Error Coin List
While there are examples of error nickels for all three mintmarks, the number of 1944-S errors is much lower on account of the much smaller mintage.
With the other two mint marks, the errors are mostly planchet-related, such as lamination errors, clipped planchets, and wrong planchets. Wrong planchet errors are some of the most valuable 1944 nickels, as they’re worth up to $5,000.
1944 Nickel Struck on Penny Planchet Error
Wrong-denomination planchet errors are one of the rarer kinds of errors you’ll see on a 1944 nickel. It happens when a planchet that’s meant for different coins gets engraved with the design of a nickel.
Depending on the planchet, the coin will have a different size and color. If the planchet is smaller, like a dime or penny, then the coin will not be able to carry all the nickel design. The lettering will usually not be captured on the coin.
This type of error coin is rather rare but also very valuable, worth thousands. For instance, an MS60 1944-P nickel struck on a copper penny planchet was auctioned for $7,600. An MS65 can cost $10,000 or more.
1944 Nickel Triple-Clipped Planchet Error
Curved clipped planchet errors result from overlaps between the punching die and previously punched holes in the metal strip. A 1944 nickel with this type of error isn’t particularly valuable, even in uncirculated conditions. The coin above is an MS66 1944-P nickel that was auctioned for $55.
1944 Nickel Defective Planchet Error
Defective planchet errors aren’t very common, but they do happen.
A planchet is said to be defective when it has an obvious flaw that happened during the planchet manufacturing process. These coins rarely command a premium amount, but they tend to be worth more than non-defective coins.
The 1944 nickel you see pictured has a small defect on the edge. It is an MS65 and priced at $210.
1944 Nickel Struck on Copper-Nickel Clad Error
This 1944-P Jefferson nickel was struck on a pre-war copper-nickel clad coin. The error is unique as most wrong planchet war nickel coins are dated 1942, which is the year the mint made the transition to silver planchets.
As a result, these coins have great value and command a premium amount. This one is graded VF25, and it sold for an impressive $5,405. A mint-state version of the coin will be worth upwards of $10,000.
1944 Nickel 15% Off Center Strike Error
This MS63 off-center Jefferson nickel is valued at $384. The value of an off-center strike is determined by the percentage of the off-center strike.
Anything below 10% isn’t really worth much since the error isn’t very visible. Conversely, if the percentage is too high, the coin will also have a low value since only a little of the design is visible.
Most collectors prefer off-strikes between 40% and 60% and will usually pay a premium for these. So you can expect at least $500 for an uncirculated 1944 nickel with a 40% off-center strike.
1944 Nickel Obverse Lamination Error
Lamination errors occur when there are impurities in the alloy. 1944 nickels with lamination errors can be worth a decent amount. But it all comes down to the amount of lamination and whether the coin is circulated or uncirculated.
The coin in the picture is a circulated 1944-D with a lamination error on the obverse, and its price tag is $26.60.
1944 Nickel Broad Strike
Broad strikes occur when there is a malfunction with the collar that holds the coin in place during the strike. Without the collar, the coin will expand from the pressure exerted by the dies, making it wider than normal.
Broad-struck 1944 nickels can be worth up to 20 times the value of a coin struck within the collar. For instance, this AU nickel is valued at $135.
Jenson is a professional numismatist, a dedicated coin collector, a graduate of the College of Business at Oregon State, a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), and an overall coin nerd. He is the founder of Coin Value List.