Jefferson Nickel US Coin Errors

When a Nickel Is More Than a Nickel: U.S. Jefferson Nickel Error Coins

Some Jefferson nickel error coins can be worth much more than five cents. You may choose to collect them in a book with other error coins or put them in a display to hang on your wall. If you're interested in collecting preowned nickel error coins, you can find many types of them for sale on eBay.

Error nickels that collectors have discovered include:

• 1939 double die: You may find one of the approximately 1,500 Jefferson double die nickels minted in Philadelphia in 1939. If you look closely at Monticello on these coins, then you can tell that the die has struck the coin twice. On most 1939 double-struck nickels, Monticello does not have all its steps. On others, however, all the steps are present, and collectors often hunt for these Jefferson nickels.
• 1942 turned die: You may need a magnifying glass to see the error on some Jefferson nickels minted in Denver in 1942. These nickel error coins were first die cut with a horizontal D. Then, the mint mark was applied again vertically in the same place.
• 1943 date error: Look closely at the date on 1943 Jefferson nickels minted in Philadelphia. On some coins, you will discover that these coins were first stamped in 1942. Then, they were re-stamped in 1943. This is more visible when you look at the bottom part of the 3.
• 1943 double die: You can also find Jefferson nickel coin errors from the Philadelphia mint that have been double died. As you look closely at the eye on these coins, you'll see that they have been died twice.
• 2005: Collectors have found several different Jefferson nickel errors on 2005 coins. The most common is a die gouge making the bison look like he has been speared. Other coins show the bison minus a leg or with an extra one.

You may also want to watch for Jefferson nickels made between 1942 and 1945. While Jefferson nickels minted between 1938 and 1942 and between 1945 and 2003 were made from 75% copper and 25% nickel, those made during World War II were made with 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese. Since the U.S. Treasury intended to remove these coins from circulation after World War II, they also gave them a large P mint mark. If the nickel does not have the large mint mark, then it is a known counterfeit nickel.

It is more difficult to find Jefferson nickel mint errors proof coins because the mint usually pays more attention when making these coins. At least one Jefferson proof coin has an error on it. In 1940, Jefferson proof nickels were created with dies from 1938. This resulted in coins being produced with poorly defined Monticello stairs.