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1971

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 106,884,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerFelix Schlag
Collector's Key IDCK-1458

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia struck 106,884,000 Jefferson nickels in 1971, marking the return to Philadelphia as the primary (and at this point sole) producer of circulation nickels without a branch mintmark. The P mintmark would not appear on circulation Jefferson nickels until 1980, so 1971 Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark despite being from the primary facility. 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 1971 without difficulty.

1971 was the year the United States went off the gold standard, ending the Bretton Woods monetary system that had governed international finance since World War II. Nixon's announcement in August of the dollar's decoupling from gold was a fundamental restructuring of global monetary arrangements. The Jefferson nickels struck that year circulated through a country in the midst of major economic policy changes that would define the 1970s.

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) $0.60 $0.70
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1971 Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.05, rising to roughly $0.60–$0.70 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1971 Jefferson Nickels were minted?
106,884,000 were struck.
What is a 1971 Jefferson Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1971 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 1971 Jefferson Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.