As of May, 2024, a 1938 Nickel, FS in uncirculated specimen can be valued between $12.00 and $1,850.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $8,625.00 in the 05/26/2006 by renowned auctioneer Bowers & Merena, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: Felix Schlag
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 21.20 millimeters
Weight: 5.00 grams
Mintage: 19,496,000
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Jefferson Five Cents 1938-1964

1938 Nickel, Fs (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-67+1,850.00
MS-67485.00
MS-66+260.00
MS-66175.00
MS-65+110.00
MS-6590.00
MS-64+52.00
MS-6440.00
MS-63+34.00
MS-6330.00
MS-62+24.00
MS-6220.00
MS-6115.00
MS-6012.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State12.001,850.00228.36

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1938 Jefferson Nickel. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1938 Nickel (Regular Strike)1.0010.0011.001,400.00
1938-D Nickel Jefferson (Regular Strike)2.006.0010.002,350.00
1938-S Nickel (Regular Strike)1.005.007.002,000.00
1938 Nickel (Proof)N/AN/A50.0016,000.00
1938 Nickel DDO FS-101 (Regular Strike)35.0055.0065.00600.00
1938 Nickel DDO FS-101 (021), FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A175.00725.00
1938 Nickel QDO FS-105 (021.5) (Regular Strike)4.0050.0055.00275.00
1938 Nickel QDO FS-105, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A70.001,050.00
1938-D Nickel Jefferson, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A11.0035,000.00
1938-S Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A40.005,000.00
1938 Nickel, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A1,150.007,500.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1938 Nickel, Fs (Regular Strike) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$25.00

Lowest Sale Price
$1,495.00

Highest Sale Price
$271.36

Average Sale Price
$91.00

Most Recent Sale Price
103

Number of Sales
$27,950.14

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-67+1,050.004,935.002,389.38
MS-67252.008,625.001,722.39
MS-66+204.00881.00410.38
MS-6625.001,495.00271.36
MS-65+16.00374.00115.89
MS-6569.00119.0083.67
MS-6416.0079.0043.46
PO-1125.00450.00306.43

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1938 Nickel, FS (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-67+. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-67 having the highest max price $8,625.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1938 Nickel, FS (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1938 Nickel, FS (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 80.08% share, followed by David Lawrence RC / Great Collections with 8.76% / 3.19% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1938 Nickel, FS (Regular Strike) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions71.0007/19/2023
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions204.0005/17/2023
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions312.0005/10/2023
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions119.0010/19/2022
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions91.0009/28/2022
MS-67PCGSStack's Bowers384.0007/27/2022
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions252.0006/06/2022
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions164.0001/19/2022
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions85.0011/17/2021
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions384.0010/06/2021
MS-67PCGSStack's Bowers528.0008/25/2021
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions69.0008/18/2021
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions168.0008/04/2021
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions204.0007/29/2021
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers120.0005/25/2021
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions336.0004/14/2021
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions120.0003/17/2021
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers132.0003/10/2021
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions204.0012/30/2020
MS-67+PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions1,821.2512/03/2020
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions89.0011/18/2020
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions350.4010/21/2020
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions324.0008/26/2020
MS-67PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions1,057.5007/16/2020
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC202.0007/12/2020
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions69.0007/01/2020
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions85.0005/27/2020
MS-67+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,080.0004/26/2020
MS-67+PCGSHeritage Auctions1,050.0012/07/2019
MS-67+PCGSHeritage Auctions2,160.0010/24/2019
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers100.0004/30/2019
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions312.0004/10/2019
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions312.0002/13/2019
MS-67PCGSStack's Bowers504.0008/29/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions372.0007/18/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions504.0006/20/2018
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions120.0005/16/2018
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions99.0001/23/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions384.0010/03/2017
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions446.5007/06/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions211.5004/25/2017
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions141.0003/28/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions258.5003/07/2017
MS-67+PCGSHeritage Auctions3,290.0001/04/2017
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions109.0001/03/2017
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0001/03/2017
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions59.0001/03/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions124.0012/13/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions164.5012/06/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions89.0011/29/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions41.0011/29/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions540.5010/31/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions129.2510/18/2016
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions84.0010/18/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions176.2509/25/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions705.0009/07/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions940.0008/10/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions940.0008/10/2016
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions61.0007/12/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0007/07/2016
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions352.5005/09/2016
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions1,527.5004/27/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0003/08/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions158.6301/10/2016
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions141.0010/20/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions141.0009/22/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0008/11/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions152.7506/07/2015
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions164.5005/19/2015
MS-67+PCGSHeritage Auctions4,935.0004/26/2015
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions1,821.2504/26/2015
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC210.0003/15/2015
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections76.4511/16/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0010/26/2014
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections115.5010/26/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,218.4009/04/2014
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections247.5008/17/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions182.1306/30/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0006/16/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions223.2506/16/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,232.5006/04/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,115.0006/04/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions246.7505/12/2014
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions105.7504/28/2014
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions135.1304/28/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions176.2503/31/2014
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections68.2003/23/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,820.0002/27/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,173.7502/27/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions2,820.0002/27/2014
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions3,290.0001/08/2014
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0011/11/2013
MS-67PCGSStack's Bowers1,880.0011/08/2013
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections198.0011/03/2013
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions79.0008/08/2013
MS-66+PCGSHeritage Auctions881.0006/05/2013
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions229.0004/29/2013
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions165.0004/29/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions200.0004/08/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions206.0002/11/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions353.0001/09/2013
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections110.0010/21/2012
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0009/06/2012
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions212.0009/06/2012
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions1,293.0009/06/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions74.0002/13/2012
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections374.0002/12/2012
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions288.0001/03/2012
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions69.0010/24/2011
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions16.0010/10/2011
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions69.0008/08/2011
MS-65+PCGSGreat Collections92.0007/31/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0006/01/2011
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions53.0006/01/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0004/27/2011
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions3,738.0002/03/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions230.0001/05/2011
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions94.0001/03/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions431.0012/02/2010
MS-66PCGSBowers & Merena1,495.0011/03/2010
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions546.0008/11/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions546.0007/08/2010
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC242.0005/27/2010
PO-1PCGSStack's140.0005/21/2010
PO-1PCGSStack's125.0005/21/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions150.0002/03/2010
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions79.0001/18/2010
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC173.0011/30/2009
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC322.0010/15/2009
MS-65+NGCHeritage Auctions32.0008/19/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0008/05/2009
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC201.0006/18/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions161.0005/06/2009
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions4,313.0005/01/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions184.0003/16/2009
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions31.0003/09/2009
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC230.0003/09/2009
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC145.0003/03/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions184.0003/01/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions299.0003/01/2009
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions70.0001/28/2009
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC39.0001/05/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions173.0012/22/2008
MS-65+PCGSBowers & Merena190.0011/01/2008
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions16.0007/09/2008
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions81.0007/02/2008
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions4,313.0006/26/2008
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC368.0006/23/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0006/04/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions265.0003/26/2008
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions45.0001/28/2008
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions38.0001/21/2008
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions75.0001/09/2008
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions115.0012/19/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions75.0012/12/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions86.0012/10/2007
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions33.0012/05/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC449.0011/19/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0011/14/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0010/29/2007
PO-1PCGSStack's210.0010/11/2007
PO-1PCGSStack's400.0010/11/2007
PO-1PCGSStack's450.0010/11/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions242.0010/02/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions81.0010/01/2007
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,070.0009/27/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions86.0009/26/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions86.0009/19/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions127.0007/18/2007
PO-1PCGSStack's420.0006/20/2007
PO-1PCGSStack's400.0006/20/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions81.0006/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0006/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions231.0006/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0006/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0006/05/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions39.0005/15/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0005/15/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0005/15/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0005/01/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC437.0004/23/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0004/23/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0004/09/2007
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions2,300.0004/09/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0004/04/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions489.0004/02/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0003/28/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0003/26/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0003/21/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0003/20/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions299.0003/20/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0003/19/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0003/07/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions34.0003/05/2007
MS-67PCGSBowers & Merena6,325.0003/01/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions37.0002/28/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0002/20/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions374.0002/20/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions345.0002/20/2007
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0002/20/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC460.0001/15/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions374.0001/09/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC443.0001/08/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0001/03/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0012/06/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions150.0012/05/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions127.0010/30/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC219.0010/23/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0010/18/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions161.0010/11/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions121.0010/02/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions121.0009/27/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0009/13/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0009/13/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions546.0008/13/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC86.0008/07/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions178.0007/26/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions65.0007/12/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions59.0007/11/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions219.0007/05/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions65.0006/28/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC115.0006/26/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions65.0006/26/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions219.0006/26/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions190.0006/21/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0006/12/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions56.0006/12/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions161.0006/06/2006
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC61.0006/05/2006
MS-67PCGSBowers & Merena8,625.0005/26/2006
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC69.0005/01/2006
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions54.0003/08/2006
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC48.0001/16/2006
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions161.0008/01/2005
MS-66ICGDavid Lawrence RC25.0006/27/2005
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC196.0006/13/2005
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions207.0006/06/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0005/04/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions518.0005/04/2005
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions219.0001/17/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions575.0001/12/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions633.0001/12/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions863.0012/08/2004
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions77.0009/22/2004
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions116.0001/21/2004
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions633.0001/12/2004
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions94.0012/31/2003
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions121.0006/02/2003
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions719.0002/01/2003
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions70.0010/22/2002
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions94.0009/03/2002