Nickel · 1970
1970 Nickel Value
A 1970 nickel is worth $0.06 to $1.28 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1970 nickel
The 1970 nickel is a regular circulation issue, struck in copper-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel), weighing 5 g, 21.2 mm across, from a design by Felix Schlag. It was struck at Denver, San Francisco — 754,317,384 coins in all.
San Francisco made the fewest at 238,832,004, against 515,485,380 from Denver.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 515,485,380515.5M | $0.06 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.17 | $0.88 |
| S | 238,832,004238.8M | $0.06 | $0.14 | $0.14 | $0.14 | $0.14 | $0.14 | $1.28 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1970 nickel
What if it has already been cleaned?
Still identifies the same — you lose the premium. Don't try to fix it.
Where is the mint mark
It sits on the obverse below the date (1938–1964 and 1968 onward); above Monticello on the reverse for wartime issues. No letter means Philadelphia — normal, not rare. What the letter means →
Proof and collector versions
Alongside the coins made for circulation, the Mint sold 1 collector version of the 1970 1970 nickel — proofs and special finishes struck at San Francisco and sold directly in sets.These never entered circulation, so if your coin came out of a till or a jar it is not one of them. They carry an S mint mark and a mirror or satin finish that is obvious next to an ordinary coin. The scarcest was struck in 2,632,810.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 2,632,8102.6M | $1.39 |
What to do with your 1970 nickel
Don't clean it
Leave the surface alone — see the warning above.
Is it worth grading?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. Against a mintage of 754,317,384 and a best circulated value of $1.28, the fee is more than the coin returns. Keep it raw unless it is exceptional or you suspect a variety.
Where to sell
Dealer: fastest, pays least. Auction: best for coins worth $100+. eBay: most buyers, most fees.
Specifications
5 Cents "Jefferson Nickel" (1st portrait)
- Composition
- Copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel)
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diameter
- 21.2 mm
- Thickness
- 1.95 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Felix Schlag
- Mints
- United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of San Francisco
FAQ
How much is a 1970 nickel worth?
A circulated 1970 nickel is worth $0.06 to $1.28 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1970 nickels were made?
About 754,317,384 in total — Denver 515,485,380, San Francisco 238,832,004.
Are there rare 1970 nickel varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S nickel from 1970?
An S mint mark on a 1970 nickel means a collector coin from San Francisco — 1 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 2,632,810. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1970 nickel graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $1.28, from a mintage of 754,317,384 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
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