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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).
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. The mintmark is positioned on the right side of Monticello.
Source: Q.David Bowers
Catalog Information
GSID:
3216
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 #:
4002
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1938-S 5c MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1938-s-five-cents-jefferson-nickel/gsid/3216 GSID: 3216 Title: 1938-S 5c MS
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Coin Value History
1938-S 5c MS
Value By Grade
1938-S 5c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OGP* | - | $9.25 | $1,234 |
| MS68 |
|
$2,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
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 FS
Worth: $80 – $800
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 MS67+ PCGS. PCGS Population: 92 in 67 (10 in 67+), 3 finer (6/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Minta...
$268
1938-S 5C Jefferson Nickel -- Defective Planchet 4.53 Grams -- MS64 PCGS....
$41
1938-S 5C MS66 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1170/75). NGC Census: (1204/388). CDN: $22 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 4,1...
$84
1938-S 5C MS65 Prooflike NGC. NGC Census: (424/1591). PCGS Population: (909/1244). CDN: $12 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. M...
$49
1938-S 5C MS68 NGC. NGC Census: (3/0). PCGS Population: (2/0). CDN: $1,600 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS68. Mintage 4,105,000....
$810
1938-S 5C
$7
1938-S 5C MS67 PCGS. PCGS Population: 92 in 67 (10 in 67+), 3 finer (5/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintag...
$177
1938-S 5c PCGS MS64
$22
1938-S 5c NGC MS66
$93
1938-S 5c PCGS MS65
$43
1938-S 5C MS68 NGC. NGC Census: (1/0). PCGS Population: (1/0). Mintage 4,105,000. ...
$1,200
1938-S 5C MS67 NGC. Housed in a Generation 5 fatty holder. CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 4,105,000. ...
$129
1938-S 5c PCGS MS64
$12
1938-S 5c PCGS MS66
$51
1938-S 5c NGC MS65
$25
1938-S 5C MS68 PCGS. ...
$1,645
1938-S 5C MS67+ PCGS. PCGS Population: 92 in 67 (10 in 67+), 2 finer (5/26). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Minta...
$256
1938-S 5C MS64 NGC; 1941-S MS64 NGC; 1942-S MS66 PCGS; 1943-D MS64 NGC; 1944-P MS65 NGC; 1944-P MS66 PCGS; 1945-S MS66 NGC; 1... (Total: 11 coins)
$196
1938-S 5c PCGS MS66
$30
1938-S 5c NGC MS65
$28
Greysheet News
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
10/7/2026
The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
10/6/2026
Mack C. Chase Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars to Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Showcase Auction
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.
10/6/2026
Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
