A 1989-P nickel graded MS-68 Full Steps sold for $1,140 at Heritage Auctions in August 2022. That same coin in your change jar is worth exactly five cents. The difference? All six lines on Monticello's staircase. This guide — with a free calculator — tells you exactly where your coin falls.
Before diving into your specific coin, this table gives you a quick orientation to all varieties and conditions. For a deeper look at how strike quality, die state, and hub characteristics affect what each row is actually worth to buyers today, see this illustrated 1989 Jefferson nickel identification walkthrough and reference guide.
| Variety | Worn / Circ. | About Unc. (AU) | Mint State (MS63–65) | Gem (MS66–68) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-P (no FS) | $0.05–$0.20 | $0.60–$0.90 | $1–$30 | $41–$160 |
| 1989-P Full Steps ⭐ | — | — | $6–$30 | $40–$1,140+ |
| 1989-D (no FS) | $0.05–$0.20 | $0.60–$0.90 | $1–$40 | $70–$176 |
| 1989-D Full Steps | — | — | $6–$40 | $30–$1,093+ |
| Error coins (RPM, Off-Center, Wrong Planchet) 🔴 | $15–$75 | $30–$200 | $50–$500+ | $400–$1,200+ |
| 1989-S Proof DCAM | — | — | — | PR65–70: $2–$67 |
⭐ Signature variety — highlighted gold. 🔴 Rarest error category — highlighted red. Values based on recent Heritage Auctions and PCGS market data; circulated examples typically trade at face value.
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With nearly 1.5 billion 1989 Jefferson nickels struck at three mints, some inevitably escaped quality control with dramatic production defects. The variety cards below cover the five most significant error categories — from die-state attribution varieties that interest specialist collectors to dramatic wrong-planchet strikes that can push a five-cent coin to four-figure auction territory. Note: 1989 holds special historical significance because it was among the last years the U.S. Mint hand-punched mint marks — making Repunched Mint Mark errors impossible on nickels dated 1990 or later.
The Full Steps designation is not technically a minting error — it is a strike quality achievement. It describes 1989 Jefferson nickels on which all five or six horizontal step lines at the base of Monticello appear completely sharp, continuous, and unbroken under 10× magnification. The step area sits directly opposite the deepest recesses of the obverse hub die, creating a mechanical disadvantage: striking pressure that fully fills Jefferson's portrait often fails to compress the planchet metal deeply enough to complete the reverse steps.
PCGS and NGC authenticate FS examples with a suffix on their certification slab — "5FS" for five complete steps, "6FS" for all six. A coin can be graded MS-67 or higher yet still fail the Full Steps test if even a single step line shows a bridge, merger, or break. This one-strike, all-or-nothing standard is why FS-designated 1989 nickels are so difficult to locate among the nearly 900 million Philadelphia pieces struck that year.
The premium is staggering. A 1989-P in MS-67 without Full Steps carries a guide value around $41, while the same grade with Full Steps commands approximately $775 — a 19-fold difference attributed entirely to strike quality. The auction record of $1,140 for an MS-68 FS specimen at Heritage Auctions in August 2022, confirmed on PCGS CoinFacts, represents the pinnacle of what collectors have paid for the finest-known Philadelphia issue.
Wrong planchet errors occur when a blank intended for a different denomination is accidentally fed into the nickel press during production. For 1989 nickels, the most dramatic example is a Jefferson nickel design struck on a copper Lincoln cent planchet. The resulting coin weighs approximately 3.1 grams rather than the standard 5.0 grams, is visibly smaller in diameter (approximately 19mm vs. the normal 21.2mm), and shows a distinctly copper-colored surface — an immediate visual anomaly for any 5-cent piece.
A closely related error involves a 1989-D nickel struck on a clad dime planchet, producing a coin that is dime-sized (approximately 17.9mm) and weighing only about 2.27 grams. One NGC AU-58 example of a 1989-D struck on a dime planchet appeared in a 2011 Heritage Auctions listing with the remarkable additional distinction of Five Full Steps — an essentially unique combination of major striking error plus superb strike quality on the undersized planchet.
Even more dramatically, double denomination errors exist where a nickel design was struck over an already-struck Lincoln cent, leaving portions of both designs visible on the same coin. Such a 1989-P double denomination example sold for over $830. These wrong planchet and double denomination pieces represent the most valuable non-FS 1989 nickels in collector hands, with ANACS-certified examples of the cent-planchet variety achieving over $430 at auction.
Repunched Mint Mark errors occur when a mint mark punch is applied to a working die more than once, with the second impression slightly displaced from the first. On the 1989-D nickel, at least two attributed RPM varieties exist: RPM-001, where the secondary "D" impression appears shifted north (above) the primary mark, and RPM-002, where the secondary impression appears to the left of the primary. Both are visible under a 10× loupe as an extra serif, notch, or shadow around one side of the main "D."
The historical significance of 1989 RPM errors cannot be overstated. In 1990, the U.S. Mint switched from hand-punching mint marks directly into working dies to hubbing them directly from a master die — a change that made Repunched Mint Marks mechanically impossible on coins dated 1990 and later. Every genuine RPM on a circulating U.S. coin must therefore date to 1989 or earlier, giving 1989-D RPM nickels permanent status as members of the final generation of this error type.
Circulated examples of the 1989-D RPM typically sell for $15–$30 among variety enthusiasts who specialize in attribution guide collecting. Sharply struck, uncirculated MS-grade examples with strong RPM definition can bring $75–$125 from specialist bidders. Attribution follows CONECA and VarietyVista listings; collectors should cross-reference their specimen against reference photographs before purchasing or selling.
Off-center strikes occur when the nickel planchet is improperly positioned in the striking chamber at the moment the dies close. Instead of sitting centered within the collar ring, the planchet is displaced — leaving a crescent of blank, undesigned metal on one side while the die design impresses normally on the struck portion. The degree of displacement is measured as a percentage: a 10% off-center strike shows a small blank crescent, while a 50% example places the entire design on one half of the coin with the other half completely blank.
Value on off-center 1989 nickels is driven by two factors: the percentage of displacement and whether the date and mint mark remain visible on the struck portion. A minor 5–10% off-center example, where the date is still readable, sells for approximately $15–$30. More dramatic examples in the 15–50% range with a visible date command $35–$120. The most spectacular pieces — 60% or more off-center with the date still present — can bring over $127, as documented by an ICG MS-66 graded 1989-P example. Uncirculated examples always command a premium over circulated off-center pieces.
Collectors particularly prize off-center strikes where the date and mint mark survive intact because authentication is simpler and the coin's identity as a 1989 nickel is unambiguous. Pieces where the date or mint mark has been struck off the planchet are harder to attribute definitively, limiting their appeal despite sometimes showing more dramatic blank fields. Certification by ANACS, ICG, PCGS, or NGC adds significant value for off-center strikes above 25%.
A broadstrike error results when the restraining collar — the metal ring that gives a coin its standard diameter and raised rim — fails to surround the planchet at the moment of striking. Without the collar's confinement, the planchet metal flows freely outward under the press's approximately 40-ton striking pressure. The result is a coin noticeably larger and thinner than a normal 21.2mm Jefferson nickel, with no raised rim and a slightly "spread out" appearance on both Jefferson's portrait and the Monticello reverse.
Identifying a broadstrike is straightforward: measure the coin's diameter (it will exceed the standard 21.2mm), examine the edge (it will be smooth and flat rather than showing a raised rim), and look at the design elements (lettering and details near the edge appear spread and flattened). The coin's overall thickness will be less than normal because the metal redistributed outward rather than flowing upward into the collar to form the rim. Weight should remain normal at approximately 5.00 grams since no metal was removed.
Broadstruck 1989 nickels typically sell for $20–$75 in uncirculated condition. An ANACS MS-62 Full Steps example combining a broadstrike with the Full Steps designation was offered at approximately $25.99 — a combination that shows how error coins occasionally intersect with the separate FS variety premium. A 1989 nickel combining broadstrike and lamination characteristics has sold for approximately $45, demonstrating how compounded errors with multiple simultaneous defects can modestly increase collector interest.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Type | Mintage | Survival Rate (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | P | Circulation Strike | 898,812,000 | High — very abundant in all grades |
| Denver | D | Circulation Strike | 570,842,474 | High — slightly scarcer in gem grades |
| San Francisco | S | Proof Only (DCAM) | 3,220,194 | Very high — sold directly to collectors |
| Total (all mints) | 1,472,874,668 | One of the highest-production Jefferson nickel years | ||
The 1989-P mintage of nearly 899 million makes the Philadelphia issue one of the most common single-facility nickel productions in the series. Despite this abundance, Full Steps examples in MS-67 or higher are genuinely scarce — the PCGS population at MS-67 FS is limited to a handful of certified examples, creating dramatic conditional rarity within what is otherwise an extremely common date. The 1989-S proof mintage of 3.22 million is modest in absolute terms but represents sufficient supply that PR-70 DCAM examples — with over 1,000 certified at PCGS alone — are not genuinely rare.
Jefferson's portrait is flat with little hair detail. Monticello's dome and pillars are visible but mushy; no step lines remain. The date and lettering are clear. Worth face value only — $0.05 — regardless of mint mark. Not collectible in the 1989 series.
High points on Jefferson's cheekbone and hair show light wear. Monticello's pillars are sharp; about 3/4 of original luster may remain on AU-58 examples. Still worth face value to small premium ($0.15–$0.90). No Full Steps possible in this grade range.
No wear — original cartwheel luster present. Bag marks and contact marks affect grade. Jefferson's face and Monticello columns are crisp. Values range $1–$30 without FS; $6–$300 with Full Steps depending on exact grade. The step area is critical to evaluate here.
Near-flawless luster; contact marks nearly invisible to the naked eye. Only a handful of 1989-P examples grade MS-68. Gem FS coins are true conditional rarities — worth $40–$1,140+. Always have gem examples professionally certified before selling.
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The Full Steps designation is the single biggest value driver on 1989 nickels. Use this quick tool to assess whether your coin might qualify — then verify with a professional grader for any coin where certification would matter financially.
Left: Common strike with merged step lines. Right: Full Steps — all lines sharp and separate.
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If you're not sure of your coin's mint mark, condition, or whether it qualifies as Full Steps, there's a 1989 Nickel Coin Value Checker with photo upload that lets you submit images of your coin and get an AI-assisted assessment without any numismatic knowledge required.
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The right venue depends on your coin's value tier. A $0.50 circulated example belongs in a different marketplace than a $1,000+ gem Full Steps specimen.
The top choice for Full Steps examples grading MS-67 or higher, documented error coins, and any 1989 nickel worth $200+. Heritage's large collector audience drives competitive bidding on conditional rarities. Their numismatic photography and professional attribution add buyer confidence. Minimum value thresholds apply — contact Heritage directly for consignment requirements on individual coins.
The most liquid marketplace for mid-range 1989 nickels — Full Steps coins in MS-64 to MS-66, RPM varieties, off-center strikes, and broadstrikes all sell reliably here. Review recent sold prices and completed 1989-P nickel listings on eBay before pricing your coin — the "sold" filter shows actual transaction prices, not optimistic asking prices. PCGS or NGC certification increases buyer trust and final hammer price substantially.
Fastest cash turnaround, but expect wholesale pricing — typically 50–70% of retail value. Best for circulated examples worth under $10 where auction fees and eBay selling costs would eat most of the profit. A local dealer can also quickly authenticate suspected error coins and tell you whether professional grading submission is financially worthwhile before you spend $30–$50 on PCGS or NGC fees.
Active collector communities that buy, sell, and trade directly. r/CoinSales allows direct peer-to-peer transactions with no seller fees. Particularly useful for Full Steps coins in the $30–$150 range where auction fees are disproportionate. Post clear macro photographs of the step area and include the certification number if graded. Feedback and transaction history build reputation over time.
Most circulated 1989 nickels are worth face value — $0.05 — because nearly 1.5 billion were struck. Uncirculated examples without the Full Steps designation typically sell for $1–$30 depending on grade. The real value is in the Full Steps designation: an MS-67 Full Steps 1989-P can bring $159–$760, and the record auction sale is $1,140 for an MS-68 Full Steps example sold by Heritage Auctions in August 2022.
Full Steps (FS) refers to the horizontal step lines at the base of Monticello on the reverse. A coin qualifies as 5FS when five complete, uninterrupted step lines are visible under 10× magnification, and 6FS for all six lines. Because the step area sits opposite the deepest cavity on the obverse die, most 1989 nickels were struck too weakly to fully fill it. FS-designated coins command premiums up to 19 times higher than the same grade without the designation.
The most valuable 1989 nickel with a documented auction record is the 1989-P MS-68 Full Steps, which sold for $1,140 at Heritage Auctions in August 2022, as confirmed on PCGS CoinFacts. Historical outliers include a 1989-D struck on a dime planchet that achieved around $1,610 at Heritage Auctions in January 2007, though that sale was attributed to a rare wrong-planchet error rather than normal strike quality.
In most grades, 1989-D and 1989-P nickels carry similar low values. The 1989-D is harder to find in high grades: PCGS expert Jaime Hernandez noted the Denver issue is "very hard to find" with Full Steps characteristics, and coins grading above MS-66 are genuinely scarce. At MS-67 Full Steps, a 1989-D can match or exceed the 1989-P's premium pricing. For standard non-FS grades, Philadelphia and Denver coins trade at essentially the same levels.
The Philadelphia Mint struck 898,812,000 business strike nickels in 1989 — the largest of the three facilities. Denver produced 570,842,474 circulation strikes. San Francisco struck 3,220,194 proof-only specimens for annual collector sets. The total combined mintage across all three mints was approximately 1,472,874,668, making 1989 one of the highest-production years for the Jefferson nickel series.
The 1989-S nickel is a proof-only issue struck exclusively at the San Francisco Mint for inclusion in annual proof sets sold to collectors. It was never released into circulation. Proof nickels have mirror-like fields with frosted device elements — the "Deep Cameo" (DCAM) contrast is the most desirable. Current market values range from about $2–$20 for PR-65 to PR-69 DCAM examples, and $34–$67 for perfect PR-70 DCAM specimens certified by PCGS or NGC.
Notable 1989 nickel errors include Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) on Denver issues — the last year the U.S. Mint hand-punched mint marks — off-center strikes (worth $15–$300 depending on severity), broadstrike errors ($25–$75), clipped planchet errors ($20–$50), wrong planchet errors such as a nickel design struck on a cent planchet ($400–$1,200 certified), and double denomination errors where a nickel was struck over an already-struck cent (documented examples sold for over $830).
A 1989-D Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) shows a secondary "D" impression displaced from the primary mark. Under a 10× loupe, look for a shadow, notch, or serif protruding north, south, or west of the main "D". The 1989-D/D North variety shows the secondary "D" shifted upward. Because 1990 ended hand-punching of mint marks at the U.S. Mint, 1989 is among the last years genuine RPM errors are possible, making them historically significant for variety collectors. Circulated examples fetch $15–$30; MS examples can bring $75–$125.
Never clean any coin. Cleaning removes original mint luster, creates hairline scratches visible under magnification, and permanently destroys the surface preservation that grading services evaluate. A cleaned coin receives a "details" designation from PCGS or NGC and sells at a significant discount compared to an original-surface example of the same grade. Even a dull or spotted uncirculated 1989 nickel is worth more with its original surfaces than after any attempt at polishing or chemical treatment.
Examine the base of Monticello on the reverse using at least 10× magnification under good lighting. Count the horizontal step lines from left to right across the full width of the staircase. A Full Steps coin shows five (5FS) or six (6FS) complete, uninterrupted lines with no merging, bridging, or breaks between adjacent steps. Even one break disqualifies the coin from FS status. PCGS and NGC authenticate and label Full Steps coins; self-identifying FS coins without certification is unreliable for selling purposes.
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