While not produced at the same volume as at Philadelphia, a still significant number of nickels were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1919, making it a readily available coin in most grades up through the lower Mint State levels. The 1919-S nickel is well known for its generally poor eye appeal, with many examples suffering from weak strikes often from worn dies. This is particularly problematic in Mint State, where many examples are afflicted with mushy details and uneven toning. Locating Choice to Gem specimens with excellent surfaces and generally decent strike is often quite demanding. Well known as a condition rarity for many years, demand for such pieces has only risen as interest in the highest grade levels increases. Despite the many thousands of uncirculated examples thought extant, not even a handful can truly be called Gem.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the November 2016 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $82,250.