How Much Is a 1944 Nickel Worth? | Bullion Mentor Guide

Did You Know?

The 1944 Nickel’s Design

The War Nickel’s obverse pays homage to the Third President of the US, Thomas Jefferson. It features an elegant portrait of him wearing a wide-collared coat, a fashion piece synonymous with that era. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed to the right of the effigy, with the year of its minting, 1944, placed right below it. It features the US motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” engraved opposite the face of Thomas Jefferson.

The 1944 Nickel's reverse depicts an image of Thomas Jefferson’s residential home, Monticello. The popular mansion is located in Virginia on a plantation that spans 5000 acres of land, and the coin features the steps leading up to the main entrance of Monticello. The words “MONTICELLO” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are engraved right below the imagery along with the face value “FIVE CENTS”, with the Latin phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” which stands for “Out of many, One,” placed at the top.

Introduced in 1938, the Jefferson Nickel comprised of 75% copper and 25% nickel. However, the “Wartime Nickels” from mid-1942 to 1945 had a different composition that included 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. This change in the composition aided the preservation of nickel for war.

Conditions That Affect the 1944 Jefferson Nickel Value

Evaluating the conditions of coins as old as the 1944 Jefferson Nickel is crucial. While these coins hold value in different states of preservation, coins in near-mint condition are much more desirable to collectors, but due to their age, finding a coin in nearly mint condition is quite rare.

When determining a coin's grade or condition, it must be thoroughly examined. While professional grading services provide the official grades, here are some guidelines you can use to get an idea of how your coin might be evaluated:

Uncirculated condition coins are highly sought after. These coins have never been used in circulation, so they have been handled minimally, preserving their excellent condition. They will appear almost as if they were just minted, showing no signs of wear.

These coins are still attractive to collectors, though they show very light wear. Minor scratches or surface blemishes may catch the eye, but they can go unnoticed by a novice. On a closer look, you may see slight imperfections, but the coin still looks nearly new.

Coins in fine condition have circulated widely over the years. The details, such as the images and inscriptions, remain clear, but the coin will have noticeable wear, scratches, and scuff marks.

Most of the 1944 Jefferson Nickels in circulation today fall under this category. Due to heavy use over time, these coins have significant signs of wear, such as deep scratches or other imperfections. Collectors may not pay as much attention to these coins unless they are rare or have a specific historical value.

How Much Is A 1944 Nickel Worth?

When determining the value of a 1944 Jefferson Nickel, you have to understand its condition. There were three different versions of this coin minted in 1944, so understanding which mint-produced coin you possess is the first step. Next, the coin's condition plays an essential role in determining the coin's value.

The 1944 Nickel was struck in three facilities of the US Mint:

Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). Coins that have been well-preserved and are in excellent shape can command much higher prices than those in poorer condition. You can refer to the chart below to understand the grade of your Jefferson Nickel based on its type: