2004 Double Die Nickel
If you’re looking for an inexpensive coin that will last a lifetime, consider picking up a 2004 double die nickel. These coins are made of a unique metal alloy called copper-silver-manganese. They are not susceptible to bending when put through vending machines and have a long mintage history. Also, you can find a variety of designs for collectors to choose from. Here are a few to consider:
The 19th century is filled with interesting examples of double-die coins. One of the most infamous is the 1880 Shield Nickel. This coin features a hidden 7 under the date. While most of these coins circulated in circulation for over 15 years, the only known uncirculated example was sold at an auction in Rochester, New York, on March 30, 1930 for $175,000 dollars. These coins are so rare and valuable that a single uncirculated example will probably achieve a record price one day.
However, these coins have been the subject of some controversy because of their unusual composition. During manufacturing, the mint sometimes makes mistakes with the dies. Sometimes, they double the last two digits on a date, so it shows a duplicate set of numbers offset to the right of the original digits. As a result, collectors and numismatists started to realize that these coins were in circulation, and as such, the mintage of these coins grew. Because of their rarity, collectors are now more likely to purchase these coins in the market.
A 1954 double die Lincoln Cent is another notable example. It inspired a growing error coin collecting hobby in the United States. There are no other double-die coins with the same level of doubling as this coin. However, a few additional double-die coins have emerged from the U.S. Mint in the following years, including the 1995 and 1972 Lincoln Cents. So, when buying a double-die coin, it is always a good idea to check its numismatic label.
Another famous and highly sought after double-die nickel is the 1913 Liberty Head V. This coin is worth over $5 million today. Until 1989, mint employees had to manually punch in the mint mark for a nickel to make it look genuine. The same is true of the 1944 Jefferson nickel with mirror brockage. The latter was minted only 970,000 times and can command as much as $11,100 in 2022! This makes them very valuable coins.
A doubling of the star in the middle of the star and the first letter of Jefferson’s nostril are the other hallmarks of a Class II die. The doubling is most visible on the second O of MONTICELLO, while a Class II-VI spread is visible on the star and the date. The coin has a PCGS MS-69 FS SMS grade. It is also worth mentioning that the Jefferson die crack is at 1:30, and the small die dot to the right of the right arch is visible. A Class II double die nickel is also notable for the doubling of the words IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and MONTICELLO.
A rare double-die Jefferson nickel was made with 35% silver content to save the nickel for the artillery. This particular nickel was worth at least $100 in circulated grades and up to $500 in uncirculated. The price of a double-die 1942 Jefferson nickel can easily exceed $1,000. The value of a double-die 1941 Jefferson nickel is determined by its rarity, as this rare and beautiful coin has a second eye beneath the first one.
If you want to buy a 2004 double-die nickel, there are several methods to do so. CPG prices are based on proprietary market knowledge and technology, while Greysheet/Greensheet prices are based on wholesale market levels. They are indicative of the wholesale buyer’s price and should be a good starting point for negotiations or an auction bid reference. Lastly, Greysheet/Greensheet prices are wholesale market levels that reflect the lowest wholesale prices. While the prices on CPG are the best for auctioning purposes, they are not always the best value. They are based largely on eye appeal and market timing, but are not always indicative of actual value.
A 1934 S Buffalo nickel is worth $132,000. The same coin is worth over $300,000 in 2022 dollars. Despite their high rarity, this type of nickel is not easy to find. The dies that were used for the first Buffalo nickel are set too far apart, making it difficult to spot. If you can find a good example, you’ll be able to sell it for a high price. A 1934 D Buffalo nickel is another rare double die nickel. It is worth at least $10, but you’ll need to know that the 1916 S Buffalo nickels are rare and not easy to find.
