1979 Jefferson Nickel Value No Mint Mark: Worth Money?

The 1979 Jefferson Nickel is worth anywhere from its $0.05 face value in worn condition to over $150 in high uncirculated grades. If you just found a shiny nickel from 1979 in your change, you are likely looking at a common coin worth exactly five cents, but certain rare versions and errors can command a much higher price from collectors.

Condition	Average Market Value
Circulated (Good/Fine)	$0.05 – $0.10
About Uncirculated (AU)	$0.15 – $0.50
Mint State (MS60-MS64)	$1.00 – $5.00
Gem Mint State (MS65+)	$15.00 – $150.00+

Identifying the 1979 Jefferson Nickel with No Mint Mark

If you are looking at a 1979 nickel and cannot find a small letter near the date or on the reverse, don’t worry—this is completely normal. For the Jefferson Nickel series, the absence of a mint mark signifies that the coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. During the late 1970s, the Philadelphia facility was responsible for producing hundreds of millions of coins for general circulation to meet the demands of the American economy.

To confirm what you have, you can use a top coin identifier and value app to scan the surface of your coin. These apps help you distinguish between the Philadelphia (No Mint Mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) strikes. Because the Philadelphia Mint did not use “P” mint marks on nickels in 1979, the “No Mint Mark” variety is actually the standard version of the coin.

In 1979, the Philadelphia Mint produced 463,140,000 nickels. Because the mintage was so high, finding one in your pocket change today is a very common occurrence. Most of these coins have spent decades circulating through vending machines, cash registers, and jars, leading to significant wear and tear that keeps their value at face value. However, the story changes when we analyze coins that were tucked away in piggy banks immediately after being minted.

Determining the Grade and 1979 Nickel Value

For the everyday person, “grade” simply refers to the condition of the coin. A professional grader looks at the details of Thomas Jefferson’s hair and the pillars of Monticello on the back. If the details are sharp and the coin still has its original “luster” (that soapy, metallic shine), it is considered “Mint State.” If the coin looks dull or smooth, it is “Circulated.”

When checking the 1979 Jefferson Nickel price guide data, you will notice a massive jump in value between an MS64 and an MS66 grade. High-quality 1979-P nickels are surprisingly difficult to find because the quality control at the mint during the late 70s was often lackluster. Coins were frequently banged together in large ballistic bags, leading to “bag marks” or scratches.

Using the CoinKnow app can help you approximate the grade of your nickel by comparing it to high-resolution reference photos. While a certified MS67 nickel might sell for over $100, a coin with even a few hairline scratches might only be worth a dollar. If you believe your coin is truly flawless, it might be worth sending to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.

Grade (Condition)	No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) Value
MS63	$2.00
MS65	$12.00
MS66	$45.00
MS67	$175.00+

The Importance of the “Full Steps” Designation

Collectors of Jefferson Nickels are obsessed with one specific detail: the steps on Monticello. On the reverse of the coin, Thomas Jefferson’s home features a set of stairs. On most 1979 nickels, these steps are blurry or merged into a single flat line due to worn dies or a weak strike. If your 1979 nickel has five or six distinct, horizontal lines for the steps, it is designated as “Full Steps” (FS).

The latest valuation for a 1979 nickel with the Full Steps designation is significantly higher than a standard strike. A 1979 No Mint Mark nickel in MS66 with Full Steps can fetch between $200 and $500 at auction. This is the “Holy Grail” for modern nickel hunters. To check for this, you will need a magnifying glass or a high-quality macro lens on your smartphone.

Because CoinKnow allows you to zoom in on specific coin features, it is an excellent tool for verifying if your nickel might qualify for the FS designation. Most people overlook this detail, assuming all nickels are the same. However, the difference between a “flat” Monticello and a “Full Steps” Monticello can be hundreds of dollars. Always check the reverse before spending your 1979 pocket change.

Designation	Estimated Auction Price
Non-Full Steps (Standard)	$0.05 – $10.00
Full Steps (FS) Grade MS65	$80.00 – $120.00
Full Steps (FS) Grade MS66	$350.00 – $600.00

Valuable 1979 Nickel Errors to Look For

While most 1979 nickels are common, “error coins” are where the real money is hiding. During the high-speed minting process, things occasionally go wrong. One of the most common errors for this year is the “Double Die” error. This occurs when the die used to strike the coin has a doubled image, causing letters like “TRUST” or the date “1979” to look blurry or duplicated.

Another exciting error is the “Off-Center” strike. This happens when the coin blank (planchet) is not properly centered between the dies. If you find a 1979 nickel where 10% to 50% of the design is missing and you see a blank crescent of metal, you have an error coin worth $10 to $100 depending on the severity. Collectors love these unique mistakes because they are visually striking.

You should also keep an eye out for “Clipped Planchets,” where a circular bite appears to have been taken out of the edge of the coin. If you aren’t sure if your coin has a legitimate mint error or just “post-mint damage” (like being hit by a hammer), a quick scan with CoinKnow can provide clarification. Real errors have specific characteristics, such as “the Blakesley effect,” that help prove they happened at the mint.

Comparing 1979-P, 1979-D, and 1979-S Varieties

While this guide focuses on the “No Mint Mark” Philadelphia variety, it helps to understand the full context of the 1979 production year. The Denver Mint (D) produced 315 million nickels, and the San Francisco Mint (S) produced proof coins specifically for collectors. Proof coins are struck with polished dies and have a mirror-like finish.

Interestingly, 1979 was a transition year for the “S” mint mark on proof coins. There are two versions: Type 1 (a “Filled S” that looks like a blob) and Type 2 (a “Clear S” where the serifs are well-defined). The Type 2 Clear S is generally more valuable to collectors. However, for the Philadelphia coins you find in circulation, the “No Mint Mark” remains the most common variety.

If you happen to find a nickel with a “D” mint mark, its value is very similar to the Philadelphia version. Value in this era of coinage is driven almost entirely by condition and the Full Steps designation. A pristine 1979-D is just as valuable as a pristine 1979-P. Most people who search for these coins do so by going through “rolls” of nickels from the bank, hoping to find a hidden gem that was never circulated.

Mint Mark	Production Type	Rarity Level
None (P)	Business Strike	Very Common
D (Denver)	Business Strike	Very Common
S (Type 1)	Proof Strike	Uncommon
S (Type 2)	Proof Strike	Scarce

FAQ: Common Questions About the 1979 Jefferson Nickel

Q: Why doesn’t my 1979 nickel have a mint mark?

A: In 1979, the Philadelphia Mint did not use “P” mint marks on nickels. The absence of a mark simply means the coin was made in Philadelphia. It is not an error and does not automatically make the coin rare.

Q: Is a 1979 nickel silver?

A: No. Jefferson Nickels have not contained silver since 1945 (with the exception of the “War Nickels” from 1942-1945). The 1979 nickel is made of a cupro-nickel alloy (75% copper and 25% nickel). It has no melt value beyond its metal weight, which is usually less than its face value.

Q: What is the most expensive 1979 Jefferson Nickel ever sold?

A: High-grade examples with the Full Steps (FS) designation can sell for thousands. At a public auction, a 1979-P nickel graded MS67 with Full Steps once sold for over $1,500. However, these are extremely rare “museum-quality” coins.

Q: How can I tell if my 1979 nickel is a “Full Steps” coin?

A: Turn the coin to the back (reverse) and look at the steps leading up to the entrance of Monticello. You must be able to see at least 5 clear, uninterrupted horizontal lines. If the lines are interrupted by scratches or “mushed” together, it does not count as Full Steps.

Q: Should I keep every 1979 nickel I find?

A: Unless the nickel is in perfect, shiny condition with no scratches, it is likely only worth five cents. However, if you find one that looks remarkably new or has a visible error (like being off-center), it is worth setting aside for a closer look with a coin identifier app.