Ungraded vs MS66 1981 S [TYPE 1 PROOF] Jefferson Nickel: price difference
1981 S [TYPE 1 PROOF] Jefferson Nickel value — Ungraded $2 vs MS66 $48. MS66 sells for 24× Ungraded (+2300%). Prices updated August 2026.
Medians of real sold listings per grade, updated August 2026 — how we compute values.
Ungraded vs MS66
$2→$48
MS66 sells for 24× (+2300%) the Ungraded price — a $46 difference per coin.
Should you get this coin graded?
Grading runs about $30 per coin all-in. On 1981 S [TYPE 1 PROOF] Jefferson Nickel, the jump from Ungraded to MS66 is worth $46 (24×) — if your copy grades at the top, that premium can cover the fee. A grade below the top one changes the math, so run your exact numbers first.
Run the grading break-even math →Values are estimates from real sales data — not appraisals or offers. Some links earn JunkPal a commission at no cost to you (disclosure).