I'm a coin collector - the top 10 nickels worth up to $33,600, see the exact details
ONE major detail could make your Jefferson nickels potentially worth thousands.
Eric Miller, who operates the TikTok account thecoinchannel, revealed the exact Jefferson nickels with full steps that could be valuable.
The Jefferson Nickel has been the five-cent coin in the United States since 1938 when it replaced the Buffalo Nickel.
All Jefferson Nickels have a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.
But, the vast majority do not clearly show the steps that go up to the house.
Some, however, do, and the clearer and more defined the steps are, the more valuable they are.
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And of course, there are some key dates in the series to look out for.
As always the value of certain coins could depend on grade and condition.
In a recent video, Eric went through the most valuable "Full Step" coins.
"Most people don't even know these exist, Eric said."
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"On all 10 of these, you're going to be looking for the same thing. You'll want to see full steps on each one of these.
Keep in mind that some of these coins are in very high grade, as the number scale only runs up to 70.
1. 1953 S Full Step Nickel: $1,703.75
The 1953 S Full Step nickel is the lowest on the list, but it still commands a pretty penny.
The auction Eric cited had the nickel selling for over $1700.
It was certified by Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) in a "MS64FS" grade.
2. 1949 Full Step Nickel: $2,040
Next up is a 1949 Full Step Nickel, worth over 2,000.
This nickel was rated "MS65FS", just five points off of a perfect, mint condition score of 70.
This coin does not have a mintmark.
3. 1960 Full Step Nickel: $2,400
This version without a mintmark is 11 years older and slightly more valuable.
Coin rater PCGS describes the coin as "Satiny and lightly toned."
The grade is "MS65FS" and it does not have feature a mintmark on the reverse either.
4. 1961: Full Step Nickel: $3,000
This nickel may only be a year older, but it went for $3,000 at auction.
It was certified by PCGS in the same grade as the 1960 coin.
There is no letter mark on the coin.
5. 1954-S Full Step Nickel: $3,900
1954-S nickels are rarely struck well enough to show full steps, hence the hefty price tag.
This piece was also certified in a "MS65FS" grade.
There is a S (San Fransisco) letter mark, which can be found on the reverse and to the right of the Monticello.
6. 1953-S. Full Step Nickel: $4,700
A slightly older version in the same grade netted 4,700 more at a Heritage auction in 2017.
There is also an S letter mark on this piece.
7. 1961-D Full Step Nickel: $6,000
The 1961-D nickel is one of the rarer full step Jefferson coins.
No versions rated higher than MS65 are known to exist, according to PCGS.
"PCGS has graded less than two dozen examples with Full Steps in all grades combined," according to Jamie Hernandez at PCGS.
And according to Eric, the 1961-D full step nickels could sell for around $6,000.
8. 1963-D Full Step Nickel: $6,168.75
The 1963-D is rarer to come by.
"All Jefferson Nickels from the 1960's are scarce with Full Steps. The 1963-D is no exception, and it is also one of the tougher dates with Full Steps characteristics in any condition," said Mr Hernandez.
One example in a "MS65+FS" grade sold for more than $6,000.
9. 1966 Full Step Nickel: $7,800
Another key date to look for when it comes to Full Step Nickels is 1966.
"The 1966 Nickel is an extreme rarity with full steps. PCGS has certified only six examples," said Ron Guth at PCGs.
One of the sold for $7,800 and was certified in a "MS65FS" grade.
10. 1969-D Full Step Nickels $33,600
The top spot goes to the 1969 D Full Step Nickel, and its not even close.
In fact, PCGS is unaware of another version than the one that sold for over $30,000 in 2021.
The coin's great condition plus scarcity makes it truly exceptional, according to the rating agency.
"This incredible 20th century rarity boasts a brilliant platinum-white complexion and pearlescent luster on each side," reads a description on PCGS.
There is a D mintmark, which can be found on the obverse to the right of the 1969 date.
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