Nickel · 1994
1994 Nickel Value
A 1994 nickel is worth $0.06 to $0.58 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1994 nickel
The 1994 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 Philadelphia, Denver — 1,437,922,110 coins in all.
Denver made the fewest at 715,762,110, against 722,160,000 from Philadelphia.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark | 722,160,000722.2M | $0.06 | $0.08 | $0.08 | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.15 | $0.58 |
| D | 715,762,110715.8M | $0.07 | $0.09 | $0.09 | $0.11 | $0.11 | $0.11 | $0.41 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1994 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 2 collector versions of the 1994 1994 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 167,703.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 3,269,9233.3M | $2.44 |
| Matte Proof | P | 167,703168K | $39.81 |
What to do with your 1994 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 1,437,922,110 and a best circulated value of $0.58, 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 Philadelphia, United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of San Francisco (collector issues only)
FAQ
How much is a 1994 nickel worth?
A circulated 1994 nickel is worth $0.06 to $0.58 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1994 nickels were made?
About 1,437,922,110 in total — Philadelphia 722,160,000, Denver 715,762,110.
Are there rare 1994 nickel varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S nickel from 1994?
An S mint mark on a 1994 nickel means a collector coin from San Francisco — 2 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 167,703. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1994 nickel graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $0.58, from a mintage of 1,437,922,110 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
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