As of May, 2024, a 1981-S Nickel Type 2, DCAM in uncirculated specimen can be valued between $3.00 and $500.00, 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 $3,525.00 in the 04/24/2013 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: 4,063,083
Mint: San Francisco
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Series: Jefferson Five Cents 1965 to Date

1981-S Nickel Type 2, Dcam (Proof) – Price Chart

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

GradePrice($)
MS-70500.00
MS-6920.00
MS-68+9.00
MS-688.00
MS-67+6.00
MS-676.00
MS-66+5.00
MS-665.00
MS-65+5.00
MS-655.00
MS-64+4.00
MS-644.00
MS-63+4.00
MS-634.00
MS-62+3.00
MS-623.00
MS-613.00
MS-603.00

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 State3.00500.0033.17

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 1981 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($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1981-P Nickel (Regular Strike)N/AN/A1.0035.00
1981-D Nickel (Regular Strike)N/AN/A1.00525.00
1981-S Nickel Type 1, DCAM (Proof)N/AN/A3.00100.00
1981-P Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A18.005,000.00
1981-D Nickel, FS (Regular Strike)N/AN/A2.002,150.00

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.

1981-S Nickel Type 2, Dcam (Proof) – 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

$8.00

Lowest Sale Price
$154.00

Highest Sale Price
$28.14

Average Sale Price
$17.00

Most Recent Sale Price
76

Number of Sales
$2,138.60

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-7057.003,525.001,059.18
MS-698.00154.0028.14
MS-6811.0011.0011.00
MS-6711.0016.0013.67
MS-6614.0014.0014.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1981-S Nickel Type 2, DCAM (Proof) coin across various grades from MS-66 to MS-70. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-70 having the highest max price $3,525.00.

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 1981-S Nickel Type 2, DCAM (Proof).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1981-S Nickel Type 2, DCAM (Proof) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 44.12% share, followed by Great Collections / David Lawrence RC with 43.14% / 11.76% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1981-S Nickel Type 2, DCAM (Proof) 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-70PCGSHeritage Auctions780.0006/06/2022
MS-70PCGSStack's Bowers204.0008/25/2021
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions600.0010/21/2020
MS-69PCGSDavid Lawrence RC17.0012/02/2018
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions329.0005/16/2017
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions258.5004/18/2017
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions399.5001/04/2017
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions376.0001/04/2017
MS-70NGCHeritage Auctions587.5009/07/2016
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions940.0007/07/2016
MS-70NGCHeritage Auctions1,527.5006/08/2016
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions882.4304/27/2016
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections11.0012/28/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections10.0011/02/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections10.0010/26/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0010/26/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0010/19/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections16.0007/20/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections94.6007/06/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0007/06/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections8.0006/15/2014
MS-69NGCGreat Collections17.0006/15/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0005/25/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections104.5004/27/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0003/02/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections93.5002/23/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0002/23/2014
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0010/20/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections8.0010/06/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections8.0010/06/2013
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions2,585.0007/11/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections10.0006/30/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0006/30/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0006/23/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections105.0006/16/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0006/16/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0006/09/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0005/19/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0005/12/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0005/05/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections66.0004/28/2013
MS-70NGCHeritage Auctions3,525.0004/24/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0004/07/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0003/24/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections17.0003/17/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0003/17/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0002/24/2013
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0012/02/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0009/30/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections154.0009/23/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections20.0009/09/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections66.0005/06/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0002/05/2012
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections25.0001/22/2012
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions2,990.0001/03/2012
MS-69NONEGreat Collections24.0010/16/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0010/07/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0009/30/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions18.0009/26/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions16.0009/19/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions19.0009/19/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions18.0009/12/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0009/12/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions18.0009/05/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions18.0008/29/2011
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0008/29/2011
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections27.0007/17/2011
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections27.0007/17/2011
MS-69PCGSGreat Collections20.0007/10/2011
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions1,610.0001/05/2011
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions1,725.0002/03/2010
MS-69PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0010/19/2009
MS-69NGCHeritage Auctions14.0003/11/2009
MS-68PCGSHeritage Auctions11.0001/19/2009
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions11.0009/29/2008
MS-69PCGSDavid Lawrence RC35.0009/01/2008
MS-69NGCDavid Lawrence RC19.0008/04/2008
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions20.0004/09/2008
MS-69PCGSDavid Lawrence RC41.0003/24/2008
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0008/20/2007
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions15.0008/20/2007
MS-67PCGSDavid Lawrence RC16.0008/20/2007
MS-70ICGHeritage Auctions57.0007/18/2007
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0005/21/2007
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions35.0012/06/2006
MS-67PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0010/23/2006
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0010/23/2006
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0008/07/2006
MS-66PCGSDavid Lawrence RC14.0007/31/2006
MS-69NGCDavid Lawrence RC16.0003/06/2006
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions60.0001/11/2006
MS-69PCGSDavid Lawrence RC56.0012/19/2005
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions60.0009/28/2005
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions322.0012/08/2004
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions32.0011/26/2003
MS-70PCGSHeritage Auctions426.0009/22/2003
MS-69NGCHeritage Auctions17.0008/27/2003
MS-69NGCHeritage Auctions17.0008/27/2003
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions38.0006/18/2003
MS-69NGCHeritage Auctions27.0010/15/2002
MS-69PCGSHeritage Auctions24.0004/03/2002
MS-69NGCHeritage Auctions18.0012/07/2000