1930-S is a fairly common date in all grades through choice uncirculated. It is only slightly scarce in gem condition, if one is not particular about the quality of strike.
Incomplete strikes are the norm for this date, though fully struck pieces are occasionally available from among the relatively high percentage of mint state survivors. The typical 1930- S nickel has good to excellent luster, and this probably accounts for the large number of pieces certified as gems.
Varieties:
- Two re-punched mintmark varieties have been found. The more desirable of these is FS-1930S-501.
- A two-feathers variety is also known (FS-1930S-401). No examples of this class of variety have been seen dated later than 1930, but the reason for this is unknown. The three United States Mints may have become more particular about discarding damaged dies, but the 3-1/2 leg variety of 1936 and the 3 leg variety of 1937 suggest that at the Denver Mint it remained business as usual.
| Philadelphia | San Francisco |
| 22,849,000 | 5,435,000 |