Miami Valley Coin Club

1982-P Jefferson Nickels: An Uncirculated Rarity?

Starting in 1982, the U.S. Mint took a two-year hiatus on producing uncirculated coin sets. The exceptions are the number of nickels the Mint packaged into souvenir sets sold at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

In total, the Philadelphia Mint struck 292,355,000 nickels in 1982, the third year that a “P” was placed on the obverse of the nickel. Any uncirculated 1982-P nickels survived due to collectors setting them aside. It would be unlikely that more than two or three million 1982-P nickels were set aside.

1982-P nickels, in XF or Au grades, sell for about $1.50. These nickels graded in MS67FS are trading in the $1,500 to $4,000 range. If you own an uncirculated 1982-P Jefferson nickel, it might be worth your while to get it graded.