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The 1967 Jefferson Nickel is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.50 in circulated condition to over $4,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. While finding one in your pocket change is common, knowing which specific versions are treasures requires a keen eye for detail and condition.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.05 – $0.25 |
| Uncirculated (MS60 – MS64) | $1.00 – $15.00 |
| Choice Mint State (MS65+) | $30.00 – $150.00 |
| Rare Grade (MS67 FS) | $3,000+ |
Understanding the 1967 Jefferson Nickel History
The 1967 Nickel comes from a unique era in United States minting history known as the “Special Mint Set” years. If you look at your coin and notice there is no mint mark, don’t worry—you aren’t looking at an error. During the mid-1960s, the U.S. Mint faced a coin shortage, and officials blamed collectors for hoarding coins.
To discourage collecting, the Mint removed mint marks from all coins produced at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco between 1965 and 1967. If you are unsure if your coin is a standard strike or a special variety, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a common pocket change find and a high-quality strike.
During this time, the Mint also stopped producing traditional proof sets, replacing them with Special Mint Sets (SMS). These coins were struck with higher pressure than business strikes, giving them a sharper, satin-like finish. Because over 950 million nickels were struck in 1967, the vast majority you find today will only be worth their face value unless they are in pristine, “Mint State” condition. You can easily track the latest market trends and CoinKnow valuations to see how these historical shifts affect the price of your 1967 nickel.
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Why Your 1967 Nickel Has No Mint Mark
As mentioned, the absence of a mint mark on a 1967 nickel is completely normal. In a standard year, a nickel without a mark would signify it was minted in Philadelphia. However, in 1967, every single nickel produced across the country lacked a letter. This makes it impossible for the average person to tell exactly which facility produced their coin.
While this lack of distinction usually keeps prices low, it places a massive premium on the physical preservation of the coin. Serious collectors are on the hunt for “Full Steps” (FS) versions. This refers to the steps leading up to Monticello on the reverse of the coin. On a standard strike, these steps are usually blurred or “mushy.”
If you find a 1967 nickel with five or six clearly defined, horizontal lines on the steps of Monticello, you may have found a rarity. These 1967 nickel MS grade prices for Full Steps can reach into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
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| Strike Type | Mintage | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Business Strike (No Mint Mark) | 959,045,000 | Very Common |
| Special Mint Set (SMS) | 1,863,344 | Uncommon |
How to Grade Your 1967 Jefferson Nickel
Grading is the most important factor in determining the value of your coin. Most 1967 nickels currently in circulation are graded as “Fine” or “Very Fine,” meaning they have significant wear on Jefferson’s hair and the pillars of Monticello. To be worth more than five cents, the coin usually needs to be in “About Uncirculated” (AU) condition or higher.
To accurately assess your coin, many modern collectors use CoinKnow to compare their coins against high-resolution images of certified grades. A “Mint State” (MS) coin will have its original luster, behaving like a mirror when tilted under a light. If the surfaces are dull, scratched, or darkened, it is likely a common circulated specimen.
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The highest valuable examples are those that achieve a grade of MS66 or MS67. At this level, the coin must be nearly perfect, with no visible scratches even under magnification. Understanding the 1967 nickel value factors like strike clarity and surface preservation is the key to knowing if you should have your coin professionally graded by services like PCGS or NGC.
Rare 1967 Nickel Errors to Look For
Error coins are the “wildcards” of the numismatic world. Even a common 1967 nickel can be worth a small fortune if something went wrong during the minting process. One of the most common errors to look for is the “Double Die.” Keep an eye on the lettering in “In God We Trust” or “Liberty.” If the letters look doubled or have a “shadow” effect, you might have a valuable error.
Another interesting error is the “Off-Center Strike.” This happens when the coin blank (planchet) isn’t aligned correctly with the dies. If 10% to 50% of the design is missing and you can see a crescent of blank metal, the coin’s value jumps significantly.
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Clip errors, where a portion of the coin’s edge is missing in a curved shape, are also popular among 1967 nickel collectors. Because quality control was pushed to the limit in 1967 to meet high demand, many of these “mistakes” slipped out of the Mint and into the pockets of everyday Americans.
| Error Type | Average Value |
|---|---|
| 50% Off-Center Strike | $50 – $150 |
| Double Die Obverse | $20 – $100 |
| Struck on a Penny Planchet | $300+ |
Special Mint Set (SMS) 1967 Nickels
As there were no Proof sets in 1967, the Special Mint Set (SMS) was the highest quality coin available that year. These coins were produced using polished dies and blanks, and although they aren’t quite as shiny as a Proof coin, they are much more attractive than regular business strikes.
An SMS 1967 nickel will have sharp details and a satin-like luster. Some even possess “Cameo” (CAM) or “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) finishes, where the portrait of Jefferson is frosty and the background is reflective. These Cameo versions are highly sought after by collectors using CoinKnow to finalize their collections.
Finding an SMS nickel in your change is rare, as they were originally sold in protective plastic cases. However, many sets were broken open over the years, and the coins eventually found their way into circulation. If you find a 1967 nickel that looks “too good to be true,” it is likely from a Special Mint Set.
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Full Steps (FS) — The Holy Grail of 1967 Nickels
For the 1967 Jefferson Nickel, the “Full Steps” designation is what separates a $1 coin from a $1,000 coin. Most nickels from this era were struck with worn-out dies, leading to a loss of detail on the reverse side. The steps of Monticello are the first things to wear down or fail to strike properly.
Professional graders look for five or six complete, uninterrupted steps. If there is a single scratch or a “bridge” of metal connecting two steps, it loses the FS designation. Because the 1967 strike quality was generally poor, very few coins were ever produced with Full Steps.
Collectors are willing to pay a massive premium for these rare survivors. While a standard MS66 1967 nickel might sell for $50, an MS66 FS (Full Steps) version can easily command $500 to $1,000 at auction. Always use a magnifying glass to check the back of your nickel!
| Grade | Non-FS Value | Full Steps (FS) Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS65 | $15 | $85 |
| MS66 | $45 | $600 |
| MS67 | $250 | $4,000+ |
FAQ
Q: Does a 1967 nickel contain silver?
A: No, the 1967 Jefferson Nickel is made of a cupro-nickel alloy consisting of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Silver was removed from most U.S. coins (except the half dollar) starting in 1965.
Q: Why isn’t there a “D” or “S” mint mark on my 1967 nickel?
A: Between 1965 and 1967, the U.S. Mint intentionally removed all mint marks to discourage coin collecting and focus on putting coins into circulation to end a national coin shortage.
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Q: Is a 1967 nickel worth anything if it’s dirty or worn?
A: Generally, no. A worn 1967 nickel is only worth its face value of five cents. These coins were minted in such high numbers that only those in “like-new” condition or those with rare mint errors carry a premium.
Q: How can I tell if my 1967 nickel is an SMS (Special Mint Set) coin?
A: SMS coins have a much sharper strike and a smooth, satin-like finish. They do not have the grainy texture often seen on regular “business strike” coins found in your pocket change.
Q: What is the most expensive 1967 nickel ever sold?
A: A 1967 Jefferson Nickel graded MS67 with Full Steps has sold for over $4,000 at public auction. This is incredibly rare because the 1967 strikes were usually of very low quality.