9 Most Expensive Nickels Ever Sold

Most Expensive Nickels Ever Sold: Nickels might look like simple five-cent coins you find in your pocket, but some of them are super special and worth a lot of money to people who collect coins. These rare nickels are loved because they have cool stories, unique looks, and not many were made. Some have sold for huge amounts at auctions, making them the priciest nickels ever. In this article, we’ll check out the nine most expensive nickels ever sold and learn what makes them so amazing.

1. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is the most famous and pricey nickel out there. Only five of these coins were ever made, and we know where all of them are today. They’re extra special because they weren’t supposed to exist—in 1913, the U.S. Mint started making Buffalo Nickels, but someone secretly made these before the change.

Also Read: The Top 7 Most Valuable Pennies Ever Made

In 2010, one sold for an incredible $3.7 million! It’s so rare and mysterious, plus it’s in great shape, which makes it the top nickel for collectors everywhere.

2. 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel

The 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel is cool because it has a mistake—the year shows an “8” over a “7” from when it was made at the Denver Mint. Not many of these messed-up coins were made, so collectors really want them. A super nice one sold for $350,750 in 2007. It’s rare and has the famous Buffalo Nickel look with a bison on it, which makes it a big deal.

3. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel

The 1926-S Buffalo Nickel comes from the San Francisco Mint, and they didn’t make a lot—only about 970,000. That’s not many compared to other nickels, so it’s hard to find. A really perfect one, graded MS-66, sold for $322,000 in 2005. It shines bright and looks almost new, which collectors love, especially since it’s a Buffalo Nickel.

4. 1937-D “Three-Legged” Buffalo Nickel

The 1937-D “Three-Legged” Buffalo Nickel is famous for a funny error—the bison on the back has only three legs because someone polished the coin-making machine too much at the Denver Mint. People love this weird mistake! A great one sold for $287,500 in 2004. Its strange look and fun story make it super popular.

5. 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel

The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel has a big mistake on the front where the words “LIBERTY” and the year look doubled up. This makes it stand out a lot. A really well-kept one sold for $258,500 in 2014. It’s rare and looks cool because of the error, so it’s a treasure for collectors.

6. 1920-D Buffalo Nickel

The 1920-D Buffalo Nickel was made at the Denver Mint, and they only made about 1.6 million, which isn’t a lot. It’s a classic Buffalo Nickel, and people like it for that. A top-notch one, graded MS-66, sold for $230,000 in 2017. It’s in awesome shape and has a neat history, which makes it worth so much.

7. 1924-S Buffalo Nickel

The 1924-S Buffalo Nickel is another rare one from San Francisco, with just over 1.4 million made. A lot of them got worn out over time, so finding a perfect one is tough. A shiny MS-66 one sold for $188,000 in 2017. It’s hard to find and looks great, so it’s a big prize for nickel fans.

8. 1914/3 Overdate Buffalo Nickel

The 1914/3 Overdate Buffalo Nickel has a little mistake where the “4” in the year covers up a “3” a bit. This rare mix-up makes it special. A nice one sold for $184,000 in 2013. It’s not common and has a cool story, which makes it awesome for collectors.

Also Read: 10 Jefferson Nickel Errors Worth Hunting For

9. 1917-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel

The 1917-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel is from Denver and shows a change in how the coin was made. Older ones had the bison on a hill, but it wore out fast, so they made it flat instead. A really good one sold for $161,000 in 2014. It’s important because it shows how the Buffalo Nickel got better, and collectors like that.

Why These Nickels Are So Expensive

These nickels cost a ton because:

• Rarity: Not many were made, or they have mistakes, so they’re hard to find.
• Condition: Ones that look brand new are worth way more than beat-up ones.
• History: Their stories—like secret making or errors—make them exciting.
• Design: The Buffalo Nickel’s Native American and bison look is a hit with collectors.

Why People Love Collecting Rare Nickels

For collectors, getting these nickels isn’t just about money—it’s about loving history, art, and the chase. Each coin has a tale, like the sneaky 1913 Liberty Head Nickel or the quirky “Three-Legged” one. But you have to be careful—checking if they’re real, learning how they’re graded, and buying from honest sellers are all important.

Finally

The nine most expensive nickels ever sold are the best of the best in coin collecting. From the mysterious 1913 Liberty Head Nickel to the funny 1937-D “Three-Legged” Buffalo Nickel, they mix rarity, beauty, and cool stories. Not everyone can buy them, but their tales show how even little coins can be super valuable. Whether you collect coins or just like them, these nickels prove how interesting and pricey small change can get!