Besides Silver Nickles Other Dates That Are Promising

I would suggest you get a folder for the 1960 to date nickels and save the nicest one you can find of each date/ mm. Not only is creating such a collection a source of pride and a ton of fun but it makes a great reference collection to compared with possible varieties. You'll learn a great deal about many subjects.

Some solid advice given here.

My general rule of thumb is to keep everything 1953 and earlier, P only for 1954-59, and after 60 only if XF-BU. A couple dozen boxes got me everything at face value except for the 1939-D and a few War Nickels; I forget which ones.

I haven't seen it mentioned, but 1955 and 58 P (AKA plain) are semi-key dates and actually very hard to find.

1971 through 1986 or so are also very tough in high grades; I would say that the 70s are the toughest of all!

If you are going through them anyways, I would recommend filling an album of "keepers" and also keeping a pile on the side for ebay fodder. You will come out well ahead of selling and shipping costs if you list a big lot of pre-1960 nickels.