1973 Jefferson Nickel Value: What Is a No Mint Mark Coin Worth?

The 1973 Jefferson Nickel is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.05 in worn condition to over $3,000 for rare high-grade specimens. While most nickels from 1973 found in your pocket change won’t make you rich, specific errors and exceptional conditions can turn an ordinary coin into a valuable treasure.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average)	$0.05 – $0.15
Uncirculated (MS60-MS64)	$1.00 – $15.00
Gem Mint (MS65+)	$25.00 – $150.00
Full Steps (FS) Grade	$300.00 – $4,000.00+

Understanding the 1973 Jefferson Nickel No Mint Mark

If you are looking at a 1973 nickel and see no small letter near the date or on the back, don’t worry—it isn’t an error. In the world of numismatics, a “no mint mark” 1973 nickel simply means it was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. During this era, Philadelphia did not use a “P” mint mark on nickels. If you are unsure about the origin of your find, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between various mintages and determine if your coin is common or rare.

The Philadelphia Mint produced over 384 million of these nickels in 1973. Because the mintage was so high, the vast majority of these coins remain in circulation today and are worth only five cents. However, the 1973 nickel value increases significantly when the coin is in “Mint State,” meaning it has never been spent and still retains its original factory luster. If you find one in a forgotten jar or an old piggy bank that looks shiny and brand new, it might be worth a professional look. Using CoinKnow can quickly tell you if the luster on your coin is original or if it has been cleaned, which can affect the value.

Factors That Influence 1973 Nickel Value

When determining the value of your 1973 nickel, the most critical factor is the “Full Steps” designation. On the reverse side of the nickel is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. Collectors pay a massive premium for coins where the steps leading up to the building are clearly defined and not blended together. Finding a 1973 Philadelphia nickel with “Full Steps” is incredibly difficult because the dies used that year were often worn down, resulting in “mushy” details.

Because of this rarity, the 1973 nickel value in MS65 Full Steps can reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction. Most daily collectors won’t find these in circulation, but they are frequently found in original bank-wrapped rolls. Pro-tip: if you come across a sealed roll of 1973 nickels, do not open it until you have scanned a few through CoinKnow to understand the market trends for high-grade 1973 specimens.

Grade (Mint State)	Price (Standard)	Price (Full Steps)
MS63	$2.00	$25.00
MS65	$18.00	$350.00
MS66	$55.00	$1,200.00
MS67	$450.00	$3,500.00+

Common 1973 Nickel Errors to Look For

Error coins are the “lottery tickets” of the pocket change world. For the 1973 Jefferson Nickel, there are several known errors that can bump the price from five cents to fifty dollars or more. The most common errors include off-center strikes, where the coin was not properly aligned with the die, causing part of the design to be missing. A 1973 nickel that is 10% to 25% off-center can be quite a conversation piece for collectors.

Another interesting error is the “clipped planchet,” where the round metal disc was cut incorrectly, leaving a crescent-shaped chunk missing from the edge. Collectors also look for “die cracks” and “die chips,” which appear as small raised bumps of metal on the coin’s surface. While these aren’t as valuable as the “Full Steps” coins, they still carry a premium. For a detailed breakdown of how rare errors impact 1973 nickel worth, you can consult online databases that track recent eBay sales of these oddities.

Comparing 1973 No Mint Mark vs. 1973-D and 1973-S

In 1973, there were three main types of nickels produced: the Philadelphia (No Mint Mark), the Denver (D), and the San Francisco (S) proofs. While the 1973-D nickel is also very common in circulation, the 1973-S was made specifically for collectors and usually features a mirror-like finish. These proof coins were sold in sets and were never meant to be spent.

If you find a 1973-S in your change, it is considered an “impaired proof.” It is still worth more than five cents—usually around $0.25 to $1.00—but it loses most of its value because of the scratches it picks up in circulation. The Philadelphia “No Mint Mark” coins are actually harder to find in high grades than the Denver coins for that year, making them slightly more desirable at the top tier of grading. CoinKnow is a great tool for comparing the different mintages side-by-side to see which version you actually have in your hand.

Mint Location	Mintage Quantity	Commonality
Philadelphia (No Mark)	384,396,000	Very Common
Denver (D)	261,454,676	Very Common
San Francisco (S)	2,760,339	Collector Only (Proof)

How to Grade Your 1973 Nickel at Home

You don’t always need a professional to give you a ballpark idea of your coin’s grade. Grading is a scale from 1 to 70. A “Good” (G4) coin will be very worn, with the tops of the letters touching the rim. A “Fine” (F12) coin will have visible hair details on Jefferson but much of the finer linework is gone. An “Uncirculated” (MS60) coin will have no wear at all, though it might have “bag marks” (small scratches from other coins hitting it).

To check for the coveted “Full Steps” on your 1973 Jefferson nickel, use a magnifying glass or a jewelry loupe. Look at the base of Monticello on the back. You want to see five or six distinct horizontal lines. If the lines are interrupted by scratches or “mushed” together during the minting process, it will not receive the FS designation. Most collectors use CoinKnow to take high-resolution photos of their coins, which helps in identifying these tiny details that the naked eye might miss.

Is It Worth Getting Your 1973 Nickel Certified?

Deciding whether to spend $30-$50 to have a coin professionally graded by companies like PCGS or NGC depends on its potential value. If you have a 1973 nickel that looks absolutely flawless and has clear Full Steps, it is definitely worth it. A certified MS66 Full Steps 1973 nickel can sell for over $1,000, making the grading fee a small investment for a large return.

However, if your nickel has scratches, looks dull, or was found in a vending machine, it is almost certainly not worth grading. The cost of the service would be much higher than the nickel’s market value. Use the values you find on reputable pricing guides to determine if your coin hits the “break-even” point. Most 1973 nickels are best kept in a simple cardboard 2×2 holder to prevent further damage while you decide what to do with them.

FAQ

Q: Why doesn’t my 1973 nickel have a mint mark?

A: In 1973, nickels struck at the Philadelphia Mint did not feature a mint mark. This is perfectly normal and does not make the coin an error or particularly rare on its own.

Q: What is the most ever paid for a 1973 Jefferson Nickel?

A: A 1973 Jefferson Nickel graded MS66 with Full Steps once sold for over $3,300 at a heritage auction. The high price was due to its incredible condition and the rarity of the Full Steps strike for that year.

Q: Are 1973 nickels made of silver?

A: No, 1973 nickels are made of a cupronickel alloy (75% copper and 25% nickel). The US Mint stopped using silver in nickels in 1945, at the end of World War II.

Q: Where can I sell my 1973 nickel if it’s valuable?

A: If you believe your coin is a high-grade specimen or has a significant error, you can sell it through specialized coin auction houses, on eBay, or to local coin dealers. It is always recommended to have very high-value coins authenticated first.