1939-D Reverse of 1940 Nickel MS FS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop David Lawrence Rare Coins

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

1939-D Reverse of 1940 Nickel MS FS Values

Details

The 1939-D is the key issue in the Jefferson nickel series, regarding basic availability in Mint State (not considering numerical gradations of Mint State and not considering the step count). It has been a favorite for a long time. Likely, about 25% of the mintage is from the Reverse of 1938, and the remainder or larger portion is from the Reverse of 1940. Few numismatists have sought one of each, so there is no market differential, except for sharp steps. Mint luster and eye appeal are usually very good. The FS denotes that the striking detail on the steps of the Jefferson memorial building are clearly defined.

Obverse: Felix Schlag's portrait of Jefferson, facing left, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the left periphery, and LIBERTY * [year] on the right side.

Reverse: The Jefferson home is prominently centered with the name MONTICELLO captioned below. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out in half circle underneath and the words E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appear at the top and bottom periphery. The mintmark is positioned on the right side of Monticello.

Source: Q.David Bowers

Basic Information

GSID:

3220

Coin Date:

1939-D

Denomination:

5c / 5 Cents

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

Denver

Mintage:

3,514,000

Coinage Type:

Jefferson nickel

Coinage Years:

1938-

Composition:

75% copper; 25% nickel

Mint Mark:

D

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Reverse of 1940

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

5 gr

Weight:

0.1608 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.2 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

Felix Schlag

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1939

Obverse Designer:

Felix Schlag

Reverse Lettering:

MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Reverse Designer:

Felix Schlag

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers

Greysheet News

View All News
1796/5 Half Eagle Leads Heritage U.S. Coins Auction to Nearly $12 Million
1796/5 Half Eagle Leads Heritage U.S. Coins Auction to Nearly $12 Million
4/1/2026

Early U.S. gold rarities, an 1879 Flowing Hair Stella and S.S. Central America ingots power strong results in March 26-28 event

Honoring 250 Years of America's Coinage
Honoring 250 Years of America's Coinage
3/27/2026

Whitman Launches its U.S. 250th Anniversary Collection of Albums and Folders for Semiquincentennial Coins Entering Circulation

Gold Trump Coin Gets Panel Review
Gold Trump Coin Gets Panel Review
3/20/2026

As the final item on the March 19 agenda, the Commission of Fine Arts considered an obverse and reverse design for a potential addition to the nation's Semiquincentennial coinage offerings.

Map icon

DAVID LAWRENCE RARE COINS