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Mint State coins are easy to find, despite the status of 1938-S having the lowest production of the three mints. Many are struck from tired or overused dies. Weakness is the rule. Some have very lustrous surfaces with an attractive “greasy” luster—as often seen on coins struck from worn dies in other series (e.g., Buffalo nickels and Peace silver dollars). The FS denotes that the striking detail on the steps of the Jefferson memorial building are clearly defined.
Obverse Description
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 Description
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.
Source: Q.David Bowers
Catalog Information
GSID:
3217
Designer:
Felix Schlag
Obverse Designer:
Felix Schlag
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1938
Reverse Designer:
Felix Schlag
Reverse Lettering:
MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Weight (gr):
5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1608 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
21.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1938-S
Denomination:
5c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
4,105,000
Coinage Type:
Jefferson nickel
Coinage Years:
1938-
Composition:
75% copper; 25% nickel
PCGS #:
84002
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1938-S 5c MS FS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1938-s-five-cents-fs-full-steps-jefferson-nickel/gsid/3217 GSID: 3217 Title: 1938-S 5c MS FS
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Coin Value History
1938-S 5c MS FS
Value By Grade
1938-S 5c MS FS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
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Pricing
Jefferson Nickel 5c Memorial Reverse, 1938-2003 MS [Type]
![Jefferson Nickel 5c Memorial Reverse, 1938-2003 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/20260623/cac_107669298_107669298-3.webp?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $6
Jefferson Nickel 5c Silver War Issues, 1942-1945 MS [Type]
![Jefferson Nickel 5c Silver War Issues, 1942-1945 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/20260822/cac_50319760_50319760-3.webp?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $3 – $1,200
Jefferson Nickel 5c Westward Journey, 2004-2005 MS [Type]
Worth: $0 – $12
Jefferson Nickel 5c Westward Journey, Satin Finish, 2005 MS [Type]
Worth: $0 – $75
Jefferson Nickel 5c Modified Portrait, 2006- MS [Type]
![Jefferson Nickel 5c Modified Portrait, 2006- MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/CtcDev/Catalog/20250522/df0311f8-ec9e-4ef4-af5f-c292ac750ff0.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $275
Jefferson Nickel 5c Modified Portrait, Satin Finish, 2006- MS [Type]
Worth: $2 – $150
1938 5c MS
Worth: $0 – $150
1938 5c MS FS
Worth: $40 – $2,500
1938-D 5c Jefferson MS
Worth: $1 – $1,400
1938-D 5c Jefferson MS FS
Worth: $15 – $2,600
1938-S 5c MS
Worth: $2 – $2,000
1939 5c Reverse of 1938 MS
Worth: $1 – $1,500
1939 5c Reverse of 1938 MS FS
Worth: $85 – $1,200
1939 5c Reverse of 1940 MS
Worth: $1 – $800
1939 5c Reverse of 1940, Doubled Monticello MS
Worth: $38 – $2,760
1938-S 5C MS66 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: 97 in 66 (11 in 66+), 39 finer (7/26). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS ...
$439
1938-S 5C MS67 Full Steps NGC. NGC Census: (8/1). ...
$576
1938-S 5C MS65 Full Steps PCGS. Ex: Omaha Bank Hoard. PCGS Population: (110/112). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid f...
$156
1938-S 5C MS64 Full Steps PCGS. Ex:Omaha Bank Hoard. PCGS Population (18/110). NGC Census: (0/6). (#84002)...
$37
1938-S 5C MS66 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: 96 in 66 (11 in 66+), 39 finer (2/26). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS ...
$390
1938-S 5C MS67+ Full Steps NGC. NGC Census: (7/1 and 5/0+). PCGS Population: (33/0 and 5/0+). CDN: $800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/...
$2,400
1938-S 5C MS65 Full Steps PCGS. EX: Omaha Bank Hoard. PCGS Population: (103/106). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid f...
$192
1938-S 5C MS64 Full Steps PCGS. Ex:Omaha Bank Hoard . PCGS Population (18/110). NGC Census: (0/6). (#84002)...
$29
1938-S 5C MS66 Full Steps NGC. NGC Census: 41 in 66 (3 in 66+), 16 finer (2/26). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. ...
$293
1938-S 5C MS67 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: (31/0). NGC Census: (9/0). CDN: $1,050 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. ...
$810
1938-S 5C MS65 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: (103/99). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCG...
$101
1938-S 5C MS64 Full Steps PCGS. Ex: Omaha Bank Hoard. PCGS Population (16/89). NGC Census: (0/0). (#84002)...
$29
1938-S 5C MS66 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: 96 in 66 (11 in 66+), 39 finer (1/26). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS M...
$390
1938-S Jefferson Nickel. MS-67 FS (PCGS).
$1,080
1938-S Jefferson Nickel. MS-65 FS (PCGS).
$105
1938-S Jefferson Nickel. MS-66+ FS (PCGS).
$288
1938-S Jefferson Nickel. MS-67 FS (PCGS).
$1,680
1938-S 5C MS65 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: (93/74). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/PCGS...
$99
1938-S 5C MS66+ Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: (83/33 and 10/6+). NGC Census: (38/9 and 3/7+). CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for ...
$576
1938-S 5C MS67 Full Steps PCGS. PCGS Population: (27/0). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. ...
$900
Greysheet News
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
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While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
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More than 300 lots, consisting of high quality Walking Liberty half dollars from the Mack C. Chase Collection are set to cross the auction block as part of Stack's Bowers Galleries' November Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Expo.
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Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
