First Jefferson Nickel – Big Decision!!
It is time for me to decide which coin will be the first nickel that I buy for my U.S. nickel type set collection. I have agonized over the decision of starting with the Jefferson nickel or the buffalo nickel long enough. I have decided that I will focus first on the Jefferson nickels, but which one?
I like the idea of beginning my nickel collection with the 1938 nickel. 1938 is the first date that the Jefferson nickel was minted. Since this is the first year that the Jefferson nickel was minted, I believe that this is a good place to start my collection.
I originally thought about working backwards. Maybe starting with a 2008 jefferson nickel, then buying the 2005 Jefferson Ocean in View, etc. However, I think that my nickel type set collection needs to start the first Jefferson nickels, 1938.
How do you decide which coins to buy? What is your favorite Jefferson nickel? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you would like to read my other articles about my U.S. Nickel type set collection, here are the other articles in this series.
Tags: buffalo nickels, Investing In Coins, jefferson nickels, key date coins, US Coins
eShop: buffalo nickels Investing In Coins jefferson nickels key date coins US Coins
1938-D Buffalo Nickel ***************** NGC MS-66
 | US $89.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 10:42:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $89.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D & 1942-D JEFFERSON NICKELS***VF TO XF**SEE PICS
 | US $6.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 10:52:03 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 P & D & S Jefferson Nickels 3 average circulated
 | US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:20:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
2 1938 MINI GOLD AMERICAN BUFFALO NICKEL PLUS FREEGOLD
 | US $1.76 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:28:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1.76 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D F-VF Buffalo Nickel
 | US $3.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:34:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D CHOICE BU, Mint State Buffalo Nickel #2, TONED!
 | US $59.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:41:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D CHOICE BU, Mint State Buffalo Nickel #3
 | US $59.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:42:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D CHOICE BU, Mint State Buffalo Nickel #1
 | US $59.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:45:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D~~BUFFALO NICKEL LAST YEAR
 | US $9.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 11:54:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
WHITMAN BUFFALO NICKEL COIN FOLDER 1913 TO 1938
 | US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 12:05:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D VF Jefferson Nickel US Coin
 | US $2.25 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 12:39:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2.25 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-1961 Jefferson Nickel sets
 | US $55.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 12:51:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $65.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Jefferson Nickel Complete Set 1938 - 2006 No Proofs
 | US $399.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 12:52:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $399.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
~~~1938 US PROOF SET~~~SILVER,NICKEL,COPPPER~~~
 | US $817.57 (9 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 12:54:22 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
PARTIAL SET OF BUFFALO NICKELS 1913-1938 - 56 COINS
 | US $590.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 13:22:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $590.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 D Buffalo Nickel Lot 333-019
 | US $15.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 13:26:26 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Gold/Silver Coin Earrings, US Nickel Buffalo, 1913-1938
 | US $77.97 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 13:39:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $77.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 D BUFFLO NICKEL - F/VF ? FULL DATE, U-GRADE
 | US $4.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:31:43 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 (P) AU Jefferson Nickel US Coin
 | US $4.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:37:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
COMPLETE JEFFERSON NICKEL SET 1938-61 1950-D UNC KEY
 | US $29.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:44:51 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1913-1938 BUFFALO NICKEL,WITH FOLDER,10 COINS
 | US $3.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:45:24 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Roll of Jefferson Nickels between 1938-1959-40 Coins d
 | US $2.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:47:19 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
50 1938 BUFFALO NICKELS MINI GOLD COINS*PLUS FREE GOLD*
 | US $15.75 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:48:13 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
25 1938 MINI GOLD AMERICAN BUFFALO NICKELS+++FREE GOLD
 | US $10.25 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 14:59:02 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D JEFFERSON NICKEL NGC MS67 2nd FINEST REGISTRY .
 | US $189.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:02:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $189.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Roll (40 coins) 1938-D GEMBU Buffalo Nickels
 | US $1,500.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:03:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
30 DIFFERENT BUFFALO NICKELS 1913 - 1938 READABLE DATE
 | US $59.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:25:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1913-1938 Buffalo Nickel 31 Coin Set with Book
 | US $34.56 (4 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:26:56 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D - BUFFALO NICKEL - VERY FINE CONDITION
 | US $4.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:37:43 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D BUFFALO NICKEL VF NICE COIN
 | US $5.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:00:30 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 Buick Wooden Nickel Buick Buck Harrisburg Jamboroo
 | US $24.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:02:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $24.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
80 Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938) 2 Roll Lot - ALL DATED
 | US $20.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:03:53 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D NGC MS66 BUFFALO NICKEL ~~~ BLAZING GEM!
 | US $89.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:24:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $89.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
JEFFERSON NICKELS 1938-1961
 | US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:27:05 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D ANACS MS65 BUFFALO NICKEL ~~~ BLAZING GEM!
 | US $65.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:31:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $65.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D PCGS MS66 BUFFALO NICKEL ~~~ BLAZING GEM!
 | US $89.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:31:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $89.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D PCGS MS65 BUFFALO NICKEL ~~~ BLAZING GEM!
 | US $69.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:31:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $69.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-10 Jefferson Nickel COMPLETE SET BU Gorgeous!
 | US $1,295.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:41:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,295.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 P & D & S Jefferson Nickels 3 average circulated
 | US $8.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:00:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 & 1939 Jefferson Nickel BU Uncirculated UNC LOT
 | US $5.79 (6 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:02:17 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D Buffalo Nickel -High Quality Coin- BU+ BEAUTY!
 | US $15.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:03:41 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKEL - PARTIAL HORN - FREE SHIPPING
 | US $9.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:04:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 D/S - PCGS - MS 65 - Buffalo Nickel
 | US $76.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:13:17 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $225.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1919 PDS - 1938 D COMPLETE BUFFALO NICKEL GREAT SET
 | US $42.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:20:56 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Jefferson Nickels Collection 1938-1961(65 coins)NR LQQK
 | US $19.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:50:55 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
HIGH GRADE(26 UNC)1938 JEFFERSON NICKEL COLL.NO RESERVE
 | US $7.50 (6 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:00:04 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
200 BUFFALO NICKEL FULL READABLE DATES W 1938 D LOT
 | US $51.05 (10 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:00:29 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
(23) BUFFALO NICKELS 1935-1938 FINE-VF SEE DATES!
 | US $4.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:04:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D - BUFFALO NICKEL -Nearly full horn - great shape
 | US $2.45 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:31:53 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-P 1942-P 1942-D LOT OF (3) NICE JEFFERSON NICKELS!
 | US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:54:44 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
4 Scarce Jefferson Nickel,All BU-ChBU,1938-DS,1939-DS
 | US $71.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:56:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $71.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 S Fine Jefferson Nickel US Coin
 | US $3.95 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 18:57:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $3.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
JEFFERSON NICKELS 1938-1959 PARTIAL SET 40 COINS G-VF!!
 | US $10.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:00:34 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D Buffalo Nickel **GEM BU**
 | US $10.18 (7 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:02:02 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
COMPLETE JEFFERSON NICKEL COLLECTION &PROOFS 1938-81 BU
 | US $275.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:11:17 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-P 1938-D 1942-P 1942-D 1943-D JEFFERSON NICKELS!
 | US $3.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:13:45 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D 1938-S 1939-D 1939-S 1942-D JEFFERSON NICKELS!
 | US $15.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:14:29 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-P 1942-P 1942-D 1947-D 1949-D JEFFERSON NICKELS!
 | US $2.50 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:19:54 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BU BUFFALO 5c NICKEL GEM~~~~~~~~~~SUPERB LUSTER
 | US $49.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:24:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
COINS:JEFFERSON NICKELS--1938- 1964 COMPLETE COLLECTION
 | US $39.75 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:28:56 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Complete Jefferson Nickel Set 1938-1964
 | US $21.71 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:57:33 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Certified 1938-D Buffalo Nickel NGC MS66
 | US $109.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 20:04:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $109.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKEL 5C MS66 PCGS HIGH GRADE UNC! 3989
 | US $45.01 (9 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 20:30:40 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKEL NGC MS66 SEE AD BELOW (PS+
 | US $99.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 20:53:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $99.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
WOW GLOWING FULL HORN 1938 D FINAL BUFFALO NICKEL
 | US $1.52 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 21:18:42 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 mini Buffalo Nickel (very rare)
 | US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 22:14:58 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 (P) VF Jefferson Nickel US Coin
 | US $1.75 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 1:16:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1.75 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
LOT OF 204 PIECES 1938 TO 2009 JEFF NICKEL BU,MS,GEM BU
 | US $569.95 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 1:23:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $569.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 USSR RUSSIA Copper-Nickel Coin 20 Kopeks,
 | US $1.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 1:28:25 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 (P) VF Jefferson Nickel US Coin
 | US $1.75 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 2:26:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1.75 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Official U.S. MINT Album BUFFALO NICKELS 1913-1938
 | US $17.75 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 6:06:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17.75 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Official U.S. MINT Harris Album JEFFERSON NICKELS 1938+
 | US $14.50 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 6:07:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
ultrarare geman Nazi Nickel 50 Pfennig 1938 G, EF !!!
 | US $195.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:03:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $195.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
ultrarare geman Nazi Nickel 1 Mark 1938 E !!!!!!!
 | US $119.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:09:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $119.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
40 1938-D BUFFALO NICKELS - 1 ROLL FULL DATES NO ACID
 | US $84.95 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:31:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $84.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D Jefferson Nickel
 | US $6.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:40:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-S Jefferson Nickel
 | US $6.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:41:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D Buffalo nickel PCGS MS65
 | US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 7:52:12 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 & 1939 Jefferson Nickels
 | US $1.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 8:00:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938 D BUFFALO HEAD NICKEL LOT OF 20 VG - XF
 | US $69.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 8:11:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $69.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 P & D & S Jefferson Nickels 3 average circulated
 | US $8.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 8:35:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKEL 5C MS 66 NGC
 | US $95.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 8:51:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $95.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D CH BU TONED JEFFERSON NICKEL FREE S&H(dc388)
 | US $14.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 9:54:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D Jefferson Nickel, Very Fine
 | US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:15:26 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
1938-S Jefferson Nickel, Very Fine
 | US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:16:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Dansco Album 7112 Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938
 | US $19.36 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:21:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.36 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D GEM BUFFALO NICKEL ~ AWESOME TONING ~ BEAUTIFUL!
 | US $34.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:42:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $34.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO 5c NICKEL CHOICE~~~~~~~~~~OLD RARE COIN
 | US $16.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:56:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $16.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Canada Nickel Coins 1938 1949 1977 UNC Coins Long 7
 | US $12.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 10:59:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 D BUFFALO NICKEL PCGS MS 65 US COIN
 | US $52.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 11:22:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $52.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D/D Buffalo Nickel MS65 NCG Cert. Very Attractive!
 | US $68.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 12:28:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $68.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D JEFFERSON NICKEL
 | US $11.50 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:19:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $11.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-S JEFFERSON NICKEL
 | US $15.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:21:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $15.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D JEFFERSON NICKEL
 | US $11.50 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:22:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $11.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938 JEFFERSON NICKEL
 | US $12.50 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:23:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $12.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
COMPLETE JEFFERSON NICKEL COLLECTION 1938 -1958+ E
 | US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:23:31 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Set of 26 Buffalo Nickels in Folder, 1919-1938
 | US $39.99 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:24:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1938-D BUFFALO NICKEL GEM BU BEAUTY LOOK
 | US $50.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:36:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $50.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
CIRCULATED 1938 S JEFFERSON NICKEL ROLL (40)
 | US $115.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 13:53:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $115.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
JEFFERSON NICKEL Whitman Collection 1938-1961
 | US $8.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 14:09:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Comments (2)
2 Responses to “First Jefferson Nickel – Big Decision!!”
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gayle Says:
February 24th, 2010 at 6:31 pmHave you ever seen a nickle that was gold? Jefferson 1964D?
December 31st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I wish I had received the advice I did a couple years ago when I was a kid first starting to collect coins.
I have ended up with multiple sets of the same coins in varying grades by building the sets by searching pocket change and bank rolls. By building a set by searching you inevitably end up with a set that has higher grade newer dates and lower grade older dates. You will still have to purchase the harder to find dates, which if you are on a budget may leave you with an un-filled hole for a while. When you are finished you end up with a set with coins grading from Good to BU.
If you are buying the coins for your denomination sets (not searching through pocket change and bank rolls), always buy the most expensive coins first in the grade you want your entire set to be. The reason for this is that you will fill the harder spots first and you will get the higher expenses out of the way now rather than in the end when they will naturally be higher and harder to find or afford.