As of May, 2024, a 1940-S Nickel in circulated condition is worth between $1.00 and $2.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $3.00 and $275.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Good and Very Good grade that was hammered at $1,840.00 in the 10/01/2000 by renowned auctioneer Heritage Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: Felix Schlag
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 21.20 millimeters
Weight: 5.00 grams
Mintage: 36,690,000
Mint: San Francisco
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Jefferson Five Cents 1938-1964

1940-S Nickel (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

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

GradePrice($)
MS-67275.00
MS-66+55.00
MS-6634.00
MS-65+28.00
MS-6525.00
MS-64+22.00
MS-6420.00
MS-63+10.00
MS-638.00
MS-62+5.00
MS-624.00
MS-613.00
MS-603.00
AU-58+2.00
AU-582.00
AU-55+1.00
AU-551.00
AU-53+1.00
AU-531.00
AU-50+1.00
AU-501.00
XF-45+1.00
XF-451.00
XF-401.00

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 State3.00275.0037.85
About Uncirculated1.002.001.25
Extremely Fine1.001.001.00

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 1940 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($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1940 Nickel (Regular Strike)1.002.002.001,750.00
1940-D Nickel (Regular Strike)10.0010.002.00140.00
1940 Nickel Reverse of 1940 (Proof)N/AN/A25.007,850.00
1940 Nickel Reverse of 1938 (Proof)N/AN/A40.0022,500.00
1940 Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A10.004,750.00
1940-D Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A3.0011,000.00
1940-S Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A10.001,800.00
1940 Nickel Reverse of 1940, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A30.001,150.00
1940 Nickel Rev of 1938 FS-901 (Proof)N/AN/A110.001,700.00

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.

1940-S Nickel (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

$10.00

Lowest Sale Price
$345.00

Highest Sale Price
$30.77

Average Sale Price
$75.00

Most Recent Sale Price
128

Number of Sales
$3,938.84

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-6749.00374.00133.56
MS-6610.00345.0030.77
MS-65+9.0064.0018.08
MS-6413.0037.0024.80
AU-589.009.009.00
VG-101,840.001,840.001,840.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1940-S Nickel (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from VG-10 to MS-67. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with VG-10 having the highest max price $1,840.00.

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 1940-S Nickel (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1940-S Nickel (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 85.79% share, followed by David Lawrence RC / Great Collections with 8.74% / 4.92% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1940-S Nickel (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-67PCGSHeritage Auctions169.0011/23/2022
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions154.0006/06/2022
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions75.0003/23/2022
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions154.0001/12/2022
MS-66NGCDavid Lawrence RC25.0002/07/2021
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions156.0008/14/2019
MS-67NGCGoldberg Auctioneers360.0001/30/2019
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC12.0008/19/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions204.0001/09/2018
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions258.5002/28/2017
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions152.7502/07/2017
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC36.0008/02/2015
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions94.0012/07/2014
AU-58ANACSGreat Collections9.0010/26/2014
AU-58ANACSGreat Collections9.0010/26/2014
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections25.0010/26/2014
MS-67NGCGreat Collections77.0006/29/2014
MS-66NGCGreat Collections10.0006/15/2014
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections28.8401/19/2014
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections26.0010/27/2013
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions70.0007/08/2013
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions74.0006/10/2013
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections26.0003/10/2013
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0009/17/2012
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions89.0008/13/2012
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections42.0010/02/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions36.0005/02/2011
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions16.0003/14/2011
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions253.0007/12/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions184.0007/05/2010
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC19.0004/01/2010
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions276.0002/15/2010
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions69.0010/26/2009
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions79.0010/26/2009
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions74.0010/26/2009
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions74.0010/26/2009
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions84.0010/26/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions39.0005/20/2009
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0001/19/2009
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions374.0006/26/2008
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC52.0003/06/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0001/14/2008
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions14.0001/09/2008
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions86.0012/31/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions14.0012/12/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0011/12/2007
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC17.0011/12/2007
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions69.0011/12/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions11.0005/23/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions10.0005/21/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions12.0005/16/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions11.0005/14/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions12.0005/09/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0005/09/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions15.0005/07/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions13.0004/25/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions14.0004/25/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions23.0004/23/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions11.0004/18/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0004/18/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions14.0004/16/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions16.0004/16/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions12.0004/11/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions17.0004/11/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions13.0004/09/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions11.0004/09/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions18.0004/04/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions10.0004/04/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions12.0004/02/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions19.0004/02/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0003/28/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0003/28/2007
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions12.0003/28/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions17.0003/26/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions17.0003/21/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0003/19/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0003/14/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions30.0003/12/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0003/07/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0003/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0003/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions16.0002/28/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0002/28/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0002/26/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0002/21/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0002/19/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0002/14/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0002/12/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0002/07/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0002/05/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0001/31/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0001/29/2007
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC32.0001/29/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0001/24/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0001/22/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0001/22/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions26.0001/17/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0001/17/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions19.0001/15/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0001/10/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0001/10/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0001/08/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0001/03/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0001/01/2007
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions27.0012/27/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0012/25/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0012/20/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions14.0012/06/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions16.0011/01/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions26.0010/30/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0010/25/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions13.0010/23/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0010/23/2006
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC39.0010/23/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0010/18/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0010/16/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions16.0010/11/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0010/09/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0010/09/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0010/04/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions14.0010/04/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0010/02/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions13.0010/02/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions11.0009/25/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions17.0009/25/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0009/20/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions13.0009/20/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0009/20/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions17.0009/18/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0009/18/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions11.0009/18/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions12.0009/13/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0009/13/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions16.0009/13/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0009/11/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions15.0009/11/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0009/11/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions25.0009/06/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions17.0009/06/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions11.0009/04/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0009/04/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0009/04/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0008/30/2006
MS-66ANACSHeritage Auctions15.0008/30/2006
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions10.0008/30/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions20.0008/28/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0008/23/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions19.0008/21/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions19.0008/16/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions21.0008/14/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions26.0008/09/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0008/07/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0008/02/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0007/31/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions33.0007/26/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0007/19/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC21.0005/15/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0001/11/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0001/04/2006
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0001/01/2006
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC9.0012/19/2005
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC12.0011/28/2005
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC33.0007/18/2005
MS-65+PCGSDavid Lawrence RC21.0006/13/2005
MS-64NGCDavid Lawrence RC13.0004/25/2005
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions57.0003/16/2005
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC46.0001/03/2005
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions24.0005/05/2004
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions29.0003/17/2004
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions37.0001/21/2004
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions32.0012/31/2003
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions54.0004/16/2003
MS-65+PCGSHeritage Auctions64.0003/03/2003
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions26.0010/22/2002
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions49.0004/03/2002
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions345.0004/01/2002
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions37.0011/18/2001
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions23.0008/15/2001
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions30.0007/18/2001
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions26.0006/27/2001
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions41.0004/12/2001
VG-10NONEHeritage Auctions1,840.0010/01/2000
MS-65+ANACSHeritage Auctions11.0004/12/2000