How the 1939 Jefferson Nickel Reached $350,000 & 3 More Hidden Treasures

Numismatics is indeed an intriguing endeavor, steeped in the annals of history, distinctive artistry, and many discoveries. Some rare coins are present in the world with stupendous value for their odd design and historic relevance.

1939 Jefferson Nickel: The Story of a Rare Coin and Other Highly Constant Coins

One such coin is the 1939 Jefferson Nickel, which has fetched a price of $350,000 at auction. This particular coin is highly popular among collectors due to its rarity and uniqueness. Apart from this, there are three other rare coins that may still be hidden in your pocket today and are worth millions of dollars.

1939 Jefferson Nickel: History and Features
Introduced in 1938, this coin features the image of America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, on the obverse, while the reverse shows his famous residence Monticello. But the 1939 version is particularly rare because it has some specific minting errors that make it extremely valuable.

Key Variations of the 1939 Jefferson Nickel

Type Description

• 1939 Double Monticello This is a rare error, in which the image of Monticello appears double on the back of the coin. This is highly attractive to collectors.
• 1939 ‘Reverse of 1940’ This version has the same design on the back as the 1940 nickel, making it a unique and high-value coin.
• 1939 ‘Full Steps’ If the steps of Monticello appear fully clear and deep, the coin fetches a premium price.
• If this coin has been preserved in good condition and has any of these rare features, it could be worth up to $350,000.

Three Other Rarity and Value Coins

Apart from the 1939 Jefferson nickel, the following coins can also be regarded to be very rare and worth millions of dollars.

1. The 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar

Among the rarest and highest valued coins in American history is the 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar.

Characteristics:

• Mint Mark: The “S” indicates that it was minted in the San Francisco Mint.
• Design: The front displays Lady Liberty and the back has an eagle holding an arrow and an olive branch.
• Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper.
• The total minting was a measly 100,000 coins, and thus it became very rare. In good condition, one of these coins has sold at auction for as high as $2 million.

2. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

This coin is cloaked in more mystery and controversy than perhaps any other numismatic treasure, for only five are known to exist.

Features:

• Design: Image of Lady Liberty on the front and engraved “V” (five) roman numerals on the back.
• History: This coin was an illegal minting by some employees even after the official changed to the Buffalo nickel in 1913.
• In 2018, a 1913 Liberty Head nickel sold for $3.7 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive U.S. coins ever.

3. 1943 Copper Penny

In World War II, most pennies were mint in steel in 1943 because of copper shortages in the USA Mint. However, mistakenly, some copper pennies were made, which are now counted among the rest coins.

Features:

• Composition: The normal 1943 pennies are constructed with steel, whereas the copper variety was a mistake during the construction process.
• Identification: It is a different color than the normal 1943 steel penny and is not magnetic.
• A 1943 copper penny has sold for up to $840,000 at auction.

How to Identify Rare Coins?

If you want to know the value of the coins you have, the following tips can help you:

• Check for minting errors: Look for doubled images, missing letters, or unusual designs.
• Pay attention to the coin’s date and mint mark: Coins made in certain years and mints are more rare.
• Check the coin’s condition: Coins in good condition are worth more.
• Use a magnifying glass: Small details can highlight rare features.

Conclusion

Coin collecting is not only a fascinating hobby, but it is also a historical and educational journey. The excitement of finding a rare coin and understanding its historical background makes it even more special. You may even own rare coins like the 1939 Jefferson nickel, the 1893-S Morgan silver dollar, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, and the 1943 copper penny!

If you are a coin collector or have an interest in this field, examine your collection closely—because who knows, you may have a million-dollar treasure hidden in your pocket!

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