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1961

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 76,668,244
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerFelix Schlag
Collector's Key IDCK-1430

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia struck 73,640,100 Jefferson nickels in 1961, a substantial early-1960s production. The coin is common in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Strike characteristics are generally strong, and Full Steps examples exist in adequate numbers for specialist demand at modest premiums.

Collectors building complete Jefferson nickel sets acquire the 1961 without difficulty. 1961 was the year John Kennedy was inaugurated, the Bay of Pigs invasion failed in Cuba, and Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Alan Shepard followed as the first American astronaut just weeks later, and Kennedy committed the country to landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

The Jefferson nickels struck in 1961 circulated through the first year of the Kennedy administration, a period of increased Cold War tension, accelerated civil rights activism, and the birth of the American space program that would dominate the rest of the decade. The Berlin Wall went up in August, physically dividing the divided city.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $0.05 $0.05
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $0.05 $0.05
F-12 Fine (F) $0.05 $0.05
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $0.05 $0.05
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $0.05 $0.05
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $0.05 $0.05
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $0.20 $0.25
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1961 Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.05, rising to roughly $0.20–$0.25 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1961 Jefferson Nickels were minted?
76,668,244 were struck.
What is a 1961 Jefferson Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1961 Jefferson Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1961 Jefferson Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.