1964 Nickels - Any notable errors or values?

Question

I am learning to identify coins for value as a hobby. Can anyone tell me anything about 1964 nickels? They are in mediocre shape. Two have no mint location stamp, three have D, and one has what looks like 'O', but is probably D. I understand that at this time, they were only minted in Denver, and I think Philly. Any info. you could share would be appreciated.

Answer 1

1964 had a very high mintage for both mints. 1,024,672,000 for Philly and 1,787,297,160 for Denver. They are common enough and aren't worth a premium unless in MS60 grade or above. And then they're only worth .25 (MS60) to 1.25 (proof) and even then those prices are probably high (because that's how red book prices are).

Red book does not list any errors for 1964 but you could check your coins for lamination errors, die cracks and other oddities.

If you want to get serious about coin collecting I would suggest buying a red book and reading it. I would also suggest using the forums on the site below. Ask a lot of questions and you can really learn a lot.

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp

Answer 2

The 1964 nickel was minted at Philadelphia in both circulation strike as well as proof for proof sets, it was also minted in Denver (D) as circulation strikes. I have noticed over the years the different colors the nickels seem to have. Some are struck well but not great and most are weakly struck. I have read in different publications that the mint may have experimented on the composition of the nickel in 1964. there does not seem to be any solid proof of this and of course the mint is quiet on the subject. It was in 1964 that the Federal reserve found that a shortage of cents and nickels existed and of course blamed us coin collectors. That is why 1965,66 and 1967 coins have no mint marks so us collectors would not hoard coins. In 1964 over 2 & 3/4 billion nickels were struck, the most ever. I think they used the dies untill they broke or far beyound what would be normal and fooled around with the comisition also. I have no proof and others seem to feel the way I do but can't find proof either.