1959 Jefferson Nickel Value No Mint Mark: Ultimate Guide
The 1959 Jefferson Nickel with no mint mark is worth anywhere from $0.05 in worn condition to over $3,500 in high-grade “Full Step” mint state. While most coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain rare varieties and high-quality specimens can be worth a significant amount of money.
| Condition / Grade | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $0.05 – $0.15 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | $0.25 – $1.00 |
| Mint State (MS64-65) | $15.00 – $35.00 |
| Mint State Full Steps (MS66+) | $500 – $3,500+ |
Identifying Your 1959 Jefferson Nickel No Mint Mark
If you’ve just emptied your piggy bank or found an old coin in your dresser, you might be wondering about its history. The 1959 Jefferson Nickel was produced at a time when the United States was seeing a massive boom in coin circulation. To determine if yours is special, the first thing you need to check is the mint mark.
In 1959, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 27 million nickels, and notably, these coins do not have a mint mark. If you look at the back of the coin (the reverse side) next to the Monticello building and see no letter, you have a Philadelphia strike. Using a free coin identifier app can help you zoom in on these specific details if your eyesight isn’t what it used to be.
Collectors often use tools like CoinKnow to organize their finds. This app allows you to keep track of which years you’ve already found and which ones are still missing from your collection. For a novice, identifying the difference between a common nickel and a valuable one is the first step toward becoming a serious hobbyist.
What Makes a 1959 Nickel Valuable?
Weight, luster, and the sharpness of the strike are the primary factors that determine the price. Most 1959 nickels you find today are heavily worn. They have been through thousands of hands and vending machines, which smooths out the details of Thomas Jefferson’s hair and the pillars of Monticello.
However, if you happen to find a coin that looks like it just came from the bank—shiny with no scratches—you might be looking at a “Mint State” coin. These are the coins that collectors fight over at auctions. Detailed 1959 nickel price data shows that the leap from a “Uncirculated” coin to a “Gem Quality” coin can represent hundreds of dollars in profit.
The rarest of the rare are those with “Full Steps.” On the reverse side, there are steps leading up to the Monticello building. In 1959, the dies used to stamp the coins were often worn out, leading to blurry steps. If your coin has five or six crisp, unbroken lines on those steps, you have a treasure.
| Feature | Value Impact |
|---|---|
| Steps on Monticello | Crucial for high value (Full Steps) |
| Luster (Shininess) | Adds value if original mint frost is present |
| Scratches/Dings | Significantly lowers collector interest |
Determining the Grade of Your 1959 Nickel
Professional coin grading is handled by companies like PCGS or NGC, but you can estimate the grade yourself. “Circulated” coins are categorized as Good, Fine, or Extra Fine. “Uncirculated” coins are graded from MS60 to MS70.
Most people use an app like CoinKnow to get an initial estimation before spending money on professional grading fees. You should look for wear on Jefferson’s cheekbone and hair near the ear. If those areas are flat and shiny from wear, the coin is circulated.
If you see a 1959 nickel that is exceptionally clean, it’s worth checking the latest 1959 Jefferson nickel value trends to see if it warrants the $20-$30 cost of professional authentication. Often, a coin worth $50 is better off sold “raw” on eBay rather than paying for a plastic slab through a grading service.
Rare Errors and Varieties to Look For
While the standard 1959 Jefferson Nickel No Mint Mark is common, error collectors look for specific mistakes made during the minting process. One of the most common errors for this year involves “die cracks,” where a crack in the metal stamp leaves a raised line of extra metal on the coin’s surface.
Another sought-after error is the “Double Die.” This occurs when the coin is struck twice by a misaligned hub, creating a ghostly doubling effect on the letters or the date. Check the word “LIBERTY” and the year “1959” closely with a magnifying glass.
Off-center strikes are also popular. This happens when the blank coin (planchet) isn’t centered correctly in the machine. A nickel that is 10% or 20% off-center can fetch a premium of $20 to $100 depending on the severity and whether the date is still visible.
| Error Type | Est. Value Increase |
|---|---|
| Die Crack | +$5 to +$15 |
| 10% Off-Center | +$20 to +$50 |
| Clipped Planchet | +$15 to +$40 |
Where to Sell Your 1959 Jefferson Nickel
If you discover that your nickel is one of the high-value specimens, you have several options for selling it. For common circulated coins, your local coin shop is usually the easiest route, though they may only offer you a few cents over face value unless you have a large bulk of them.
Online marketplaces like eBay are the best place for “raw” (ungraded) coins that look nicer than average. Make sure to take high-quality photos in natural light. For coins that are graded MS66 or higher, specialized auction houses like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections are the preferred choice for maximizing your return.
Using CoinKnow can help you determine the market demand before you list. It provides a baseline of what similar coins have sold for recently, ensuring you don’t get underpaid by a savvy buyer. Always remember that “asking prices” on eBay are not the same as “sold prices.”
The History of the Philadelphia 1959 Nickel
The 1959 nickel reflects a transition period in American history. It was the last year before the 1960s brought about radical changes in coin production and design. More than 27,248,000 of these were struck in Philadelphia.
During this era, nickels were made of the same composition we use today: 75% copper and 25% nickel. Unlike the nickels produced during World War II, these do not contain any silver. This is a common misconception among people who find old coins; if it’s dated 1959, it does not have “melt value” beyond its base metal content.
Because the mintage was relatively low compared to the 1960s (where mintages jumped into the hundreds of millions), the 1959 No Mint Mark is becoming harder to find in change. Saving them now might be a smart move for future collectors who will find them increasingly scarce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is there no mint mark on my 1959 nickel?
A: In 1959, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark (like ‘P’) on their nickels. If your coin has no letter above the Monticello building on the back, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Is a 1959 nickel made of silver?
A: No. Jefferson nickels only contained silver between 1942 and 1945. The 1959 nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Q: What does “Full Steps” mean?
A: “Full Steps” refers to the stairs on the Monticello building on the reverse of the coin. If you can see 5 or 6 clear, distinct horizontal lines, the coin is considered a “Full Step” specimen and is worth a significant premium.
Q: How can I tell if my coin is uncirculated?
A: An uncirculated coin will have “mint luster,” which is a frosty or satiny sheen. If the high points of the design (Jefferson’s cheek) look flat or have a different color/texture than the rest of the coin, it is likely circulated.
Q: Should I clean my 1959 nickel to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean your coins. Cleaning causes microscopic scratches that collectors can easily detect, and it can reduce the value of a rare coin by as much as 90%.
