A 1987-S proof struck at San Francisco fetched $3,220 at Heritage Auctions — and a 1987-D MS-67 Full Steps brought $2,291. Most coins are worth just 5¢, but a Full Steps strike or rare error can change everything. Use this free calculator to find out exactly what yours is worth.
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If you're not sure about your coin's condition or mint mark yet, a 1987 Nickel Coin Value Checker tool lets you upload photos and get an AI-powered estimate without needing to know grade terminology first.
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Use the Free Calculator →Does your 1987 nickel qualify for the Full Steps designation? This single factor can multiply your coin's value by 10× or more.
All varieties and conditions in one place. Signature Full Steps row highlighted in gold; error row in orange-red.
For a thorough complete 1987 Jefferson nickel identification walkthrough with photos, the CoinValueApp guide covers every variety, grade, and diagnostic feature in full detail. Values below reflect recent auction results and retail price guides.
| Variety | Worn | Fine/VF | Uncirculated (MS64) | Gem MS65 | MS66–67 / High Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-P (Philadelphia) | $0.05 | $0.05–$0.15 | $6–$12 | $10–$30 | $40–$132+ |
| 1987-D (Denver) | $0.05 | $0.05–$0.15 | $8–$15 | $20–$40 | $60–$180+ |
| ⭐ 1987-P Full Steps (FS) | N/A | N/A | $30–$80 | $60–$210 | $250–$1,800 |
| ⭐ 1987-D Full Steps (FS) | N/A | N/A | $40–$100 | $80–$400 | $400–$2,291 |
| 1987-S Proof (DCAM) | N/A | N/A | N/A | $2–$6 (PR65) | $6–$3,220 (PR70) |
| 🔴 Wrong Planchet Error | Extremely rare — ~10 known | $500–$1,754+ | |||
Values reflect typical retail and recent auction results. High-end prices require professional PCGS/NGC certification.
📱 CoinHix is a fast on-the-go way to photograph your 1987 nickel and get an instant value estimate without memorizing grade tiers — a coin identifier and value app.
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Seven confirmed error types can transform a 5-cent coin into a collectible worth hundreds or thousands. Here's how to identify each one.
The 1987 Jefferson nickel's high production volume — over 782 million circulation strikes — ironically created more opportunities for minting mishaps to slip through quality control. The varieties below are arranged in order of peak documented value. Each requires careful examination with a 10× loupe and, for the most valuable examples, professional certification by PCGS or NGC.
MOST FAMOUS
$500 – $1,754+
This is the holy grail of 1987 nickel errors. It occurred when a clad planchet intended for Washington quarters accidentally entered the nickel press at Philadelphia. The resulting coin carries the standard Jefferson nickel die design but is struck on a thinner, slightly smaller planchet made of copper-nickel clad layers rather than the correct solid 75% copper/25% nickel alloy.
Visually, these coins are immediately suspicious: the diameter is reduced to roughly that of a quarter planchet blank, the edge profile reveals the copper core between two outer nickel layers under magnification, and the coin weighs noticeably less than the standard 5.0 grams. Some examples grade as low as AU-58 due to the planchet's softer surface.
Approximately 10 examples are known to exist, a figure cited by both coinvaluechecker.com and coinvalueapp.com research. That extreme rarity is what drives premiums into four figures. The top documented sale reached $1,754 in 2010, and similar examples graded by PCGS or NGC consistently attract strong competitive bidding from specialist error collectors. Professional certification is absolutely essential before seeking a buyer.
MOST VALUABLE COMMON ERROR
$20 – $200+
Off-center errors occur when the planchet slips out of proper alignment between the obverse and reverse dies at the moment of striking. The result is a coin where Jefferson's portrait and the date appear shifted to one side, while the opposite side of the coin shows a blank, crescent-shaped area of unstruck metal — sometimes called a "blank crescent" by error collectors.
Value scales directly with the percentage of off-center displacement. A minor 5% offset is interesting but worth modest premiums. At 20–30% off-center — where the design is clearly visible yet a significant blank area remains — collectors pay meaningfully more. The most valuable examples are 50% off-center while still retaining a fully readable date, since the date confirms the year and anchors the coin's identity for catalog attribution purposes.
Identifying a genuine off-center strike requires distinguishing it from post-mint damage: a true off-center coin will have a full, round rim on the struck side and a rounded, tapered edge on the blank crescent side, with no signs of bending, cutting, or filing. Both surfaces should show the same die quality and luster consistent with the struck area.
MOST EDUCATIONAL
$10 – $100+
The Doubled Die Obverse error results from the hub — the master die used to create working dies — impressing its design onto a working die at two slightly different angles or positions. Because both impressions are permanent and three-dimensional, every coin struck from that die shows the doubling. This is a true die variety, not a coin defect, which is why DDO coins can appear in any grade from heavily worn circulated to gem uncirculated.
On 1987 P and D nickels, the doubling manifests most clearly on the date digits "1987," the letters of LIBERTY, and the curved portrait elements of Jefferson's face — particularly his eye, brow, and chin profile. The key diagnostic is that the secondary impression is raised and three-dimensional, not the flat, shelf-like appearance of mere machine doubling or die deterioration, which have no collector premium.
Minor examples showing only subtle spread add $10–$50 over face value. Stronger, more visually dramatic examples in uncirculated condition command $100 or more, particularly if the doubling is easily visible without magnification. Always cross-reference suspected DDO varieties against CONECA (the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) listings before investing in professional grading.
BEST KEPT SECRET
$10 – $75+
The DDR is the reverse-side equivalent of the DDO — created by the same misaligned hub impression process, but manifesting on the coin's back. The reverse die receives two slightly offset impressions from the hub, and every coin struck from that die carries the doubling on its reverse. On Jefferson nickels, the reverse is a particularly interesting canvas because several text elements are large and curved, making doubling easier to detect than on small-lettered reverses.
On 1987 nickels, DDR varieties show the most visible doubling on the word MONTICELLO arching over the building, the denomination FIVE CENTS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the upper reverse. Look for two distinct, slightly separated sets of lettering — both raised and three-dimensional — rather than a single blurry impression. The architectural elements of Monticello itself can also show spread, though they are harder to attribute confidently without reference materials.
The most desirable 1987 DDR coins combine the doubling with the Full Steps designation on the same coin — a combination that engages both the error collecting and the FS specialist markets simultaneously. A DDR coin with five or six complete, unbroken steps at Monticello's base commands meaningful premiums. Values range from $10–$75 depending on the boldness of the doubling and the coin's grade and strike quality.
UNDERRATED GEM
$10 – $100
Before 1990, mint workers at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints hand-punched the mint mark letter directly into each individual working die using a separate hand punch and hammer. When the first punch landed at a slightly wrong position or angle, workers punched the mark a second time to correct it — but both impressions remained in the hardened steel die, and every coin struck from that die carries the doubled mark. This is the Repunched Mint Mark, or RPM, variety.
The 1987-D is particularly worth examining for RPM varieties, as Denver's hand-punching process frequently produced diagnostic secondary impressions. Look for a faint but clearly visible shadow of a second D mint mark, slightly offset or rotated from the primary D, in the area to the right of the date on the obverse. The secondary impression is raised, matching the relief of the primary mark, which distinguishes it from post-mint scratches or mechanical doubling.
Researcher James Wiles documented Jefferson nickel RPM varieties extensively in his "Jefferson Nickel RPM Book," which remains the standard reference for attributing these varieties. Most circulated 1987 RPM examples add $10–$40 in collector value. Uncirculated specimens with a strongly visible secondary mark range from $30–$75, and the boldest examples with clearly separated secondary impressions can reach $50–$100 with specialist collectors who attribute variety coins specifically.
Run it through the calculator to get an estimated value range based on your specific mint, condition, and error combination.
Get My Error Coin Value →Production numbers from the official U.S. Mint records (Wikipedia / coinmintages.com), confirmed by two independent sources.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | P | 371,499,481 | Circulation strike |
| Denver | D | 410,590,604 | Circulation strike |
| San Francisco | S | 4,227,728 | Proof only (not released to circulation) |
| Total | 786,317,813 | All production types | |
Condition is everything. One grade tier separates face value from a $30 coin — and the Full Steps designation can add another 10× on top of that.
Jefferson's cheekbone and hair braid are flat and featureless. Monticello shows only the outline of the building with no architectural detail. Worth 5 cents. These coins see no collector market.
Some detail returns — hair strands visible, Monticello columns show separation. High points still worn flat. Worth a few cents over face value. A fine starting point for young collectors or pocket change searches.
No wear, but contact marks from bag storage may be visible. Original mint luster present. Jefferson's cheek is fully rounded, Monticello's columns sharp. MS-65 and above require no distracting marks on primary focal points.
Near-perfect surfaces with strong cartwheel luster, no visible contact marks, and sharp strike throughout. Add the Full Steps designation and values jump dramatically. Proof coins with Deep Cameo contrast rival gem MS prices.
🔎 CoinHix helps you match your coin's condition against certified graded examples by uploading a photo directly from your phone — a coin identifier and value app.
The right venue depends on your coin's grade and error status. Here are four options ranked by effectiveness.
Best for high-value specimens: Full Steps examples at MS-66 or higher, wrong-planchet errors, or proof coins approaching PR-70. These houses attract the specialist bidders who pay record prices. Expect seller's commissions of 10–15%. Certification by PCGS or NGC is required for consignment consideration.
The widest audience for mid-range coins: MS-65 Full Steps, confirmed DDO/DDR varieties, RPM varieties, and off-center strikes. Check recently sold prices for 1987-P Jefferson nickels in the completed listings section before setting your asking price. A "Buy It Now" listing priced just below recent comparables typically sells faster than an auction format for common varieties.
Quickest option with no shipping risk. Local dealers typically offer 50–65% of retail value for resale inventory. Excellent for raw (ungraded) coins you're confident are genuine, or bulk lots of circulated 1987 nickels. Bring comparable eBay sold prices to support your asking price during negotiation.
Strong collector community that pays fair prices for properly attributed varieties. Post high-resolution photos showing both sides plus a macro of any error. The r/coincollecting subreddit also provides free attributions for DDO/DDR/RPM varieties before you invest in PCGS or NGC grading fees — a valuable step before committing.
Most circulated 1987 nickels are worth face value — 5 cents. Uncirculated examples without the Full Steps designation trade for $0.30 to around $13 depending on grade. The biggest premiums come from Full Steps specimens: a 1987-D MS-67 Full Steps sold for $2,291.25 at auction, and an NGC-certified 1987-P MS-68 Full Steps brought $1,800. The 1987-S proof tops the series at $3,220 for a PR-70 DCAM.
Full Steps (FS) means all five or six architectural steps at the base of Monticello on the reverse are complete, sharp, and unbroken — no weak areas, bag marks, or strike deficiencies interrupting the lines. PCGS awards an FS designation, while NGC distinguishes 5FS (five full steps) from 6FS (six full steps). This designation can multiply a coin's value by 10× or more compared to an identically graded non-FS example.
Among proof coins, a 1987-S Jefferson nickel graded PR-70 Deep Cameo by PCGS sold for $3,220 through Heritage Auctions in November 2007. Among circulation strikes, the top sale is $2,291.25 for a 1987-D MS-67 Full Steps certified by PCGS, sold at Stack's Bowers in 2013. The 1987-P MS-68 Full Steps certified by NGC sold for $1,800 at Heritage Auctions in April 2021.
The most valuable error is the 1987-P struck on clad quarter stock, with approximately 10 known examples and a top sale of $1,754 in 2010. Other notable errors include off-center strikes ($20–$200+), Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties showing doubled date and portrait features ($10–$100+), Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) errors ($10–$75), Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) on the 1987-D ($10–$100), and die crack/cud errors ($5–$50).
The U.S. Mint produced approximately 782 million circulation-strike 1987 nickels across two facilities. Philadelphia struck 371,499,481 coins and Denver produced 410,590,604 pieces. San Francisco struck 4,227,728 proof-only nickels for collector sets. The large combined mintage means most circulated examples are common, but gem-quality specimens with Full Steps are genuinely scarce at the top grade levels.
In most circulated and lower uncirculated grades, P and D coins are essentially equal in value. However, in top MS-67 Full Steps condition, the 1987-D commands a premium — PCGS CoinFacts notes it is 'scarce in MS-66 Full Steps' and 'rare in MS-67 Full Steps.' The 1987-D auction record of $2,291.25 exceeds the 1987-P's best sale, reflecting this rarity paradox despite Denver's larger original mintage.
Examine the reverse under a 5× or 10× loupe. Look at the base of Monticello on the reverse — you should see horizontal step lines. Count how many complete, unbroken step lines you can see from one side of the stairway to the other. If five or six step lines are fully connected with no gaps, breaks, or weak spots, your coin may qualify. Any contact marks or strike weakness on the steps will disqualify it from the Full Steps designation.
The 1987-S nickel is a proof coin struck at the San Francisco Mint exclusively for inclusion in annual proof sets sold to collectors. It was never released into circulation. San Francisco struck 4,227,728 examples. Most survive in high PR-65 to PR-69 Deep Cameo grades and are worth $2–$12. The elusive PR-70 DCAM grade — flawless with no imperfections under magnification — is the record holder at $3,220.
No. Cleaning a coin — even with mild soap and water — permanently damages the surface and dramatically reduces value. Professional graders at PCGS and NGC can immediately identify cleaned coins, which are then noted as 'cleaned' or 'altered surface' and significantly discounted in the market. A naturally toned, unclean coin in MS-65 is worth far more than the same coin scrubbed bright. Never rub, polish, dip, or chemically treat a collectible coin.
Professional grading makes economic sense only when the potential value clearly exceeds grading costs, which typically run $100–$150 per coin including membership, handling, and shipping. For 1987 nickels, grading is worthwhile if your coin appears to be MS-66 Full Steps or higher, shows a confirmed rare error (like a wrong-planchet strike or strong DDO), or is a proof coin that appears to approach PR-70 DCAM condition. Average circulated examples and standard uncirculated coins rarely justify the expense.
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