As in 1960, the best thing that may be said for the Philadelphia Mint nickels of this year is that they're not as bad as the 1961 D nickels. Most are reasonably well struck, but poor quality planchets and worn, furrowed dies had a negative impact on luster and surfaces. Full step coins are quite rare.
Numerous doubled-die varieties are known for the proofs of this date, but currency pieces have just a very few and quite minor ones.
Worn, noticeably eroded dies are the norm for this Denver issue. Lustrous coins may be found, but the state of the dies may impair the overall appearance. Fully struck pieces are quite rare.
Only a very few re-punched mintmark varieties are known, all of them very minor.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia | Denver | Proof |
| 76,668,244 | 229,342,760 | 3,028,144 |