Most 1969 D nickels are sufficiently lustrous to please, but they suffer from numerous marks. Some of these were present on the planchet and did not smooth out during striking. Coins having 5FS are extremely rare, while 6FS examples may not exist.
The typical 1969 S nickel is quite pleasing overall, with great luster and an adequate strike. Once again, however, coins having full steps to any degree are exceedingly rare.
Several repunched mintmark varieties are known for this issue, but none are particularly dramatic.
1969 S proof nickels were quite well made overall, and they are less likely to show the severely overpolished dies typical of the previous year's proofs. Cameo and even Ultra Cameo proofs have been certified in significant numbers, as the San Francisco Assay Office (as it was then known) was beginning to make a conscious effort to retain the dies' frosted cavities.
A few repunched mintmark varieties are known, none of them of general interest.
Mintage:
| Denver | San Francisco | Proof |
| 202,807,500 | 120,075,000 | 2,934,631 |