Decent examples of the 1964(P) nickel may be found, but collectors searching through uncertified pieces will have to sift through the thousands of rolls that were hoarded at the time. Most of these contain nickels of disappointing quality.
The many doubled-die varieties for this issue apply only to proof coins
The enormous mintage of 1964-dated nickels from the Denver Mint was the product of a date freeze imposed by Congress. In fact, more than two-thirds of 1964-D nickels were actually coined during 1965.
With such a large number produced, one would expect a significant population of full step pieces, but the opposite is true. These nickels were a rush job intended to address a nationwide coin shortage, and very little care was used. Weak strikes from worn dies are the rule, though gems do exist if one overlooks full details as a criterion.
This issue offers one of the better RPM varieties in the Jefferson series, as well as several lesser ones. The few doubled-dies known for 1964-D are of little interest to anyone but variety specialists.
Mintage:
Philadelphia | Denver | Proof |
1,028,622,762 | 1,787,297,160 | 3,950,762 |