This is another date that is readily available in lower grades, due to the usual hoarding of S-Mint nickels. XF-AU examples are scarce and may also be disappointing in strike. So-so mint state coins are not rare but are much less available than the 1928-D nickels. Choice specimens are scarce, gems rare, due primarily to deficiencies in strike.
Although not as poorly struck as the worst S-Mint nickels, full strikes are rare. Most examples display a general softness in the date, the mintmark and the bison’s forehead. The specimen shown above is exceptional.
1928-S nickels have good to excellent luster, though it is rarely of the frostiness associated with most other issues, particularly the P-Mint coins. More commonly seen for this date is the bright, liquid appearance associated with polished planchets that have not been fully compressed by the dies. In addition, some 1928-S nickels are slightly darker than normal in color, due to some peculiar quality of the planchet stock employed.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
| 23,411,000 | 6,436,000 | 6,936,000 |