The 1987-D Jefferson Nickel is worth anywhere from 5 cents in heavily worn condition to over $15 or more in pristine mint state — and a rare few high-grade examples have sold for significantly more at auction. If you found one in your pocket change or an old coin jar, you’re in the right place to find out exactly what it’s worth.
What Makes the 1987-D Jefferson Nickel Special?
The “D” in 1987-D tells you this coin was struck at the Denver Mint. In 1987, the Denver facility produced over 410 million Jefferson Nickels — so yes, this is a common coin. But that doesn’t mean it’s worthless.
Condition is everything in coin collecting. A 1987-D Jefferson Nickel that has been sitting in a drawer untouched since the Reagan era could grade significantly higher than one that’s been bouncing around in someone’s pocket for decades. Even a common coin in superb condition can fetch a real premium among collectors.
If you’re not sure how to grade your coin, try using a free coin identifier app to get a quick read on its condition and potential value. These tools can save you a lot of guesswork before you decide whether to sell, keep, or look deeper.
1987-D Jefferson Nickel Value by Grade
Here’s a breakdown of typical market values depending on the coin’s condition:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, details visible | $0.05 – $0.10 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, clear design | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Mint State 63 (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor marks | $3 – $6 |
| Mint State 65 (MS-65) | Gem uncirculated | $8 – $15 |
| Mint State 67 (MS-67) | Superb gem, nearly perfect | $50+ |
For a deeper look at recent sales and auction records, you can check out detailed 1987 Jefferson Nickel price data by grade and mint mark to see how similar coins have sold in the current market.
How to Identify Your 1987-D Jefferson Nickel
Flip your coin to the obverse (heads) side. You’ll see Thomas Jefferson’s portrait facing left. On the reverse (tails) side is Monticello, Jefferson’s famous Virginia estate.
Now look closely at the obverse just below the date “1987.” You should see a small “D” mintmark — that’s your confirmation it came from Denver.
The coin is made of a copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel), which gives it that silvery appearance. It weighs 5 grams and measures 21.2 mm in diameter — standard specs for the Jefferson Nickel series that ran through this era.
CoinKnow is a great tool to help you identify these details quickly, especially if you have a batch of old nickels and want to sort through them efficiently.
Errors and Varieties That Can Make It Worth More
Here’s where things get exciting. While the standard 1987-D Jefferson Nickel isn’t a treasure on its own, error coins from this year can be worth real money.
Look out for doubled die errors, where design elements appear doubled or blurry. Also check for off-center strikes, where the design is clearly not centered on the planchet. A dramatic off-center error (say, 50% off-center) could be worth $50–$100 or more to error coin collectors.
Die cap errors, clipped planchets, and wrong planchet errors are also possibilities — though rare. If your coin looks “weird” in any way, don’t spend it. Get it checked out first.
CoinKnow can help you identify whether what you’re seeing is a genuine error or just post-mint damage, which is a crucial distinction that affects value dramatically.
What Collectors Think About This Coin
The 1987-D Jefferson Nickel sits in an interesting spot for collectors. It’s too modern and common to be a serious numismatic rarity in worn grades, but uncirculated rolls and original bank-wrapped sets from 1987 are still collected by those who specialize in modern Jefferson Nickels.
Registry set collectors — people competing to own the highest-graded examples of every coin — do pursue high-grade MS-67 and MS-68 examples of this date.
If you’re curious about what your specific 1987-D might bring, browse current 1987 Jefferson Nickel values and what collectors are paying today to get a clearer picture of the market.
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FAQ
Q: Is the 1987-D Jefferson Nickel worth keeping?
A: In circulated condition, it’s essentially face value. But if it looks bright, unscratched, and uncirculated, it could be worth $5–$15 or more. Error coins are always worth holding onto and getting evaluated.
Q: How do I tell the 1987-D from a 1987-P nickel?
A: Check the mintmark below the date on the obverse. A “D” means Denver; a “P” means Philadelphia. Both were produced in large numbers in 1987, and values are similar across both mint marks.
Q: Where is the best place to sell a 1987-D Jefferson Nickel?
A: For circulated examples, it’s not worth the effort to sell individually. For high-grade MS-65 and above, try eBay, a local coin dealer, or a coin show. If you think you have an error coin, consider getting it certified by PCGS or NGC first — that certification can significantly boost buyer confidence and sale price. CoinKnow can also help you understand what you have before you sell.
