1965 Jefferson Nickel: The Year Mint Marks Disappeared

Sometimes, coins of the same series get altered year by year, with some modifications being intermittent. Such a phenomenon can be observed in the Jefferson nickels case. Wars and post-war instability profoundly impacted the whole monetary sector, but for nickels, these events proved particularly consequential.

One of the greatest examples of how coins were changed during the mintage years refers to the 1965 Jefferson nickel which lacked any indication of its origin (a deliberate decision by the Mint to stabilize the economy). But how does this impact the value, and which factors might identify this coin as rare and worthy? Let us check. 

Historical Context of the 1965 Jefferson Nickel

The period of the 1960s was quite turbulent in most countries around the world, and the US was no exception for sure. The country had to get through the severe consequences of the warmongering past with the economic challenges affecting the monetary system, too. To address the ongoing crisis and combat a widespread coin shortage, the US Mint took several drastic measures that were meant to change the sector for good.

One of the defining economic issues of this period refers to notorious inflation, which was triggered by post-war initiatives, increasing costs of domestic programs, and the growing expenses of the Vietnam War. Federal budgets could not withstand the ambitious "Great Society" initiatives of President Lyndon B. Johnson, which presupposed the improvement of healthcare and education in the country. The nation's financial resources were strained, that is the thing. 

Besides, apart from inflation, the United States had to deal with a growing shortage of coins. The intrinsic value of silver in dimes, quarters, and half dollars began to approach (in certain instances surpass) its face value. As a result, many people hoarded coins hoping that their silver content would increase their value over time. And this led to serious consequences. Let us take a look at the 1965 nickels that showcase this phenomenon as best as possible. 

Design and Features of the 1965 Nickel

The design of the nickels in 1965 was not different from the one introduced in 1938 by Felix Schlag. Although the design stayed the same, the 1965 nickel is a historically significant part of the "no mint mark" era, which captivates collectors up to these days.

Obverse: The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson (one of the Founding Fathers of the US), as well as the inscriptions "LIBERTY" to the left, the year "1965", and the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST".

Reverse: The reverse displays Jefferson's Monticello estate, surrounded by the inscriptions "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above, as well as "MONTICELLO" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" below it.

Another coin from this series: 1957 Nickel.

The 1965 Jefferson nickels got a simple yet elegant design; the one that people would soon call “iconic”. However, something may distinguish this iteration from the rest of the versions – the lack of mint marks. But how was it possible, and why was it needed to be implemented? 

Why Were Mint Marks Removed in 1965?

The removal of mint marks from the US coins was not an unexpected decision. Indeed, there were prerequisites, with the main one lying in the Coinage Act of 1965. In order to address coin shortage across the states, the US Mint was literally forced to introduce a regulatory document that aimed to eliminate hoarding and lower silver prices in the end.

The Coinage Act of 1965 proposed two major adjustments. First, it replaced the silver in circulating dimes and quarters with a copper-nickel-clad composition. This change made it possible for coins to be produced without getting melted down because of their metal content. Second, all coins struck between 1965 and 1967 had their mint markings temporarily removed by law.

The aim of this measure came down was to reduce hoarding by collectors who pursued coins from particular mints anticipating that they would become rarer or more valuable one day.

The Value of the 1965 Nickels

What is a 1965 nickel worth? As usual, the 1965 nickel value mainly depends on the type, condition, and rarity of a particular coin. Although the major part of 1965 nickels was produced for general circulation (as we might infer from the official data), the US Mint also struck a unique category of coins known as Special Mint Sets (SMS) that year. These intricately combine a semi-prooflike finish with crisper details, which sets them apart from proof coins and standard-circulation coins, too.

Here is a quick overview of the current 1965 Jefferson nickel values per type (based on recent auction results and market trends as of February 2025).

*FS refers to "Full Steps", a designation given to nickels with exceptionally well-struck details on the steps of Monticello.

Regular Strike Coins

The value of regular circulation-strike instances may increase when in high grades, but these are generally common anyway. Even more remarkable are coins bearing the "Full Steps" designation, which means higher prices because of the clarity and sharpness.

Special Mint Set (SMS) Coins

The 1965 SMS nickels have a distinctive meaning. In contrast to standard strikes, these coins have superior finishes and features because they were struck with greater patience and care. Higher-grade SMS coins that have designations like Cameo (CAM) or Deep Cameo (DCAM), which show improved contrast between mirrored fields and frosted design features, may be sold for dozens of thousands of dollars! What if you own some of these?.. 

But if you really do own such coins, it is vital to identify them on time. To do so, we recommend that you try using Coin ID Scanner – an innovative application for quick coin analysis, collection management, community engagement, and even more. Start with a 1928 Buffalo nickel, for example. 

“How much is a 1965 nickel worth today?”, you may wonder. Do not hesitate to find all the answers and enter a numismatic society to make your experience more fruitful and captivating. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.congress.gov/89/statute/STATUTE-79/STATUTE-79-Pg254.pdf 

2. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1965-5c/4077