A Jefferson nickel that prominently displays every step of Monticello on the back can be somewhat uncommon, depending on the year.
Finding a complete steps version in nearly mint condition for this coin's first year of release is extremely challenging. In 2022, a particularly beautiful example of the Denver mint's 1938 Jefferson cent sold for $33,600.
The San Francisco Mint sent a die for the 1949 nickel to Denver, possibly to meet the demand for nickels in the Midwest. There, the nickel was stamped using the die, and the mint was indicated with an overstamped D.
The D over S nickel is rare because of this overstamping, and it's even rarer in near-mint condition and the full steps version. In 2014, one in superb condition brought $32,900.
Like a proof set, a special mint set (SMS) is produced in small amounts to test dies and offer collectors attractive coins.
There are just 20 to 50 1964 SMS nickels left, and they are particularly precious when they are in perfect shape and display all of Monticello's stairs. In 2016, one sold for $32,900.
A standard D was stamped over a few nickels that had been struck with a horizontal D by the Denver Mint in 1942.
One of the rarest Jefferson nickels you will ever find, just roughly ten coins are thought to be in pristine condition with this minting defect. In 2006, a brand-new, complete-step example sold for $32,200.
When the reverse, or back, side of the coin is stamped with the incorrect year's die, it's an intriguing minting blunder. That occurred in 1940 when a few nickels were struck using the 1938 die.
You can recognize these by closely examining Monticello's steps. You might have this minor but important minting issue if the steps' sides are wavy and less clear. In 2011, one in perfect condition brought $28,750.