My Exciting Finds from Sal’s Nifty Nickel Night Edition

I’ve always had a soft spot for nickel coins, so I recently started a fun little project I call “Sal’s Nifty Nickel Night.” It’s a celebration of the quirky, rare, and even everyday nickels that make collecting so much fun. Drawing from my own finds, I’ll share some standout discoveries, practical tips, and why these little coins can be so exciting for collectors.

Spotlight on Error Nickels

One of my favorite parts of hunting nickels is finding errors, especially the split planchet type. I got lucky and found one where the coin blank split after it was struck, and I even have both halves — a real rarity! What made it even better? It was a silver War Nickel from the 1940s, which has that 35% silver content. Errors like this aren’t just cool to look at; they’re minting mistakes that can bring in a nice premium if they’re in good shape.

Another favorite in my collection is a nickel with a cud error — that’s when a piece of the die breaks off and leaves a raised blob. You’d be surprised how often these pop up in everyday change. I’ve trained my eye to spot them by checking the rims and surfaces carefully. When grading, I always say to look for sharp details and as little wear as possible. Even a small cud can be valuable if the rest of the coin is in good condition.

Exploring Jefferson Nickel Varieties

When it comes to Jefferson nickels, I’ve really gotten into varieties like the 1941 S with large and small mint marks. Telling them apart takes some practice — I use a magnifier and a bright light to compare the sizes. The 1941 S with the large mint mark is especially sought after because they didn’t make many, so it’s a real prize for any collection. I’ve found that these varieties often show up in coin roll hunts, so I always take my time going through bulk finds.

Practical Tips for Collectors

From my own collecting experience, here are some tips that might help you out:

• Coin Roll Hunting (CRH): This is my favorite way to hunt — just grab some bank rolls or bulk buys from trusted dealers. You’d be amazed at what turns up, like War Nickels or even errors, right in your everyday change.
• Grading and Preservation: Always use gloves when handling coins to keep oils off them. For errors like splits or cuds, try to find examples with as little damage as possible. I send my best finds to grading services like PCGS or NGC — getting them authenticated can really boost their value.
• Market Insights: Silver War Nickels (1942-1945) are worth more than just their silver content — right now, they go for about 5 to 10 times face value in circulated condition. Error coins? Depending on how rare they are, you might get hundreds for them online or at shows, so it pays to keep an eye on what’s selling.
• Identification Tips: A good loupe is your best friend for checking mint marks and errors. And don’t forget the Red Book — it’s a great resource for spotting varieties like the 1941 S differences.

All in all, nickels are a blast to collect — they’ve got history, errors, and even a bit of precious metal. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been collecting for years, keep looking! You never know what cool coin might show up next.