How Much is A 1948 Nickel Worth?

Last Updated on August 4, 2022

You will find three types of 1948 nickels, as they were produced in three unique mint facilities. These include Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Philadelphia nickel will have no mintmark, the Denver nickel will have a D mintmark and the San Francisco nickel will have an S mintmark. 

If you want to know the worth of this coin, you are in the right place. Here is your complete guide. 

How Much Is A 1948 Nickel Worth?

The worth of the 1948 nickel without a mintmark will depend on the condition. For example, the 1948 nickel in circulated conditions will have a value between 10 and 20 cents. However, if the condition is circulated but the grade is high, then it can be worth between $1 and $1.50. 

Of course, if the coin is in an uncirculated condition, then the value will be relatively higher. A 1948 nickel in uncirculated condition and MS65 grade will be worth more than $10. Be sure to check the grade and condition, as it will determine the value. 

One of the most valuable 1948 Jefferson nickels was sold for more than $3,000 at an auction. The nickel had a condition of MS67 and it was in pristine condition. It is unlikely that you will find such a coin now. 

How Much Is A 1948D Nickel Worth?

The 1948D nickel was produced in the Denver facility and has a D mintmark. Almost forty-five million of these coins were produced. You can see the mintmark on the reverse side of the coin on the right side. 

The value of these coins is low. For example, the coin will be worth $0.05 in good, fine, and extra fine condition. However, if the nickel is in uncirculated condition, then it can be worth $2.93. 

A well-preserved specimen of this nickel was sold for more than $6,000 at an auction. The grade for this nickel was MS67, which meant that the condition was flawless. 

How Much Is A 1948S Nickel Worth?

The 1948S nickel has a relatively low mintage than the other two. You can find the S mintmark on the reverse side of the coin on the right side of Monticello. If the coin is in circulated conditions, it will be worth between $0.05 and $0.75. 

However, if the coin is in uncirculated condition, then it can be worth between $1 and $35, depending on the grade. For example, the MS65 grade of this nickel can be worth $22. On the other hand, an MS67 grade of this nickel can easily sell for more than $800. 

One of the 1948S nickels was sold for more than $8,000 at an auction with a grade of MS67. It is unlikely you will find such a grade, as coin collectors usually have such pristine coins. 

How Much Is The 1948 Double Die Error Nickel Worth?

There are many times when the die gets struck twice on the coin at different angles. When this happens, it creates a unique doubling that boosts the value of these coins. The 1948 nickel has various double die errors, such as doubling of the eye, five cents, and Monticello. 

If you find such an error on the coin, it can be worth between $30 and $50. However, the value will depend on how significant the double die error is. If your nickel has a rare double die error, then it can be worth over a thousand dollars, but no such rare errors are known to exist. 

How Much Is The 1948 Jefferson Nickel Worth With Cuds And Die Breaks?

Cuds and die breaks are also other errors that you can find on the 1948 nickel. The dies deteriorate with time and can form cracks on the coin surface. Such imperfections lead to raised lines or bumps on both sides of the coin. 

If you find such a coin, it can easily be worth between $5 and $100, but sometimes, the value might be even higher. Of course, this will depend on the error position and size. If there are minor die cracks and cuds, then the value of that 1948 nickel will not be too high. 

The most valuable die break error type will include a significant raised and flattened bump on the rim of the nickel. These can be worth more than a hundred dollars. That is why we recommend that you carefully observe the error on the coin so that you can understand how much it will be worth when you sell it. 

Jackie Palmer is a Houston-based coin journalist and fashion enthusiast. She joined Jewels Advisor’s content team after years of experience as a content strategist, managing blogs and social channels for local stores. Jackie mostly collects and studies US coins produced during the 20th century and over the years, published hundreds of articles for multiple coin publications.