Rare 2003 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are Jefferson nickels worth collecting? How much is a 2003 nickel worth? Are 2003 nickels rare? These questions are likely running through your mind if you are considering building a profitable 2003 nickels collection. Well, you’ve to come the right place because our 2003 nickel errors list will reveal some of the most valuable nickels to take your collecting game to the next level!

The 2003 Jefferson nickel was the last “classic “design of the long-running Jefferson nickel design featuring a side-profile of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Monticello home on the reverse. That said, there is nothing particularly unique about these coins.

In 2003, the United States Mint produced millions of business strike nickels at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints—441,840,000 at Philly and about 383,040,000 at Denver. Approximately 3,298,439 proofs meant for collectors were produced at the San Francisco mint. With so many coins in circulation, 2003 nickels are only worth their face value in circulated condition. In uncirculated condition, they are still not worth much, even in higher grades.

So, are 2003 nickels worth collecting? Yes! If you know what to look for, you can build a high-value collection—collecting errors is one of the best ways to do this. As our list of 2003 nickel errors will reveal, these unique coins can be worth hundreds and even thousands!

Let’s jump in and discover some of the most valuable 2003 nickel error to add to your collection.

1. 2003-P MS63 Jefferson Nickel Die Clash Error

When collecting 2002 nickels, you might come across a die clash error, which is often worth a premium. As the name suggests, a die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. This results in one die imprinting some of its design elements on the opposing die, which then transfers the imprinted design to subsequent planchets.

So, for example, on Jefferson nickels, you might notice a subtle impression of Jefferson’s profile next to the Monticello on the reverse, creating a fascinating mirror effect. Generally, the stronger the clash marks and mirror-effect, the more valuable the coin tends to be.

In 2011, a collector at a Heritage Auctions paid a remarkable $985 for a 2003-P MS63 Jefferson nickel with a die clash error, making this a nice addition to your collection.

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2. 2003-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Die Crack Error

The next one on our 2003 nickel errors list is the die crack. Die cracks occur when the die develops fissures or cracks due to the extreme pressure of repeated strikes. Die cracks are common in high-production years, such as 2003, when minting presses are pushed to their limits.

As the die continues to be put to use, small metal pieces fill the cracks, resulting in raised, jagged lines which are transferred to the planchet’s surface. On the final coin, die crack errors will appear like prominent raised horizontal or vertical lines. Larger, more dramatic die cracks will usually be worth more than smaller, subtle ones.

So, how much can you expect for a die crack error? Well, in 2009, the GreatCollections auctioned a 2003-D Nickel graded MS65 with a die crack error for an impressive $1,235.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

3. 2003-S Proof MS64 Jefferson Nickel Double Struck Error

Another error that comes up in the 2003 nickels series is the double strike, also known as a double struck. This error occurs when the die strikes the planchet twice, either because the planchet failed to eject properly after the first strike or due to a technical malfunction in the press.

On a coin with a double struck error, you will notice a visible doubling of Jefferson’s profile on the obverse, so that it appears as though there are two profiles. This many also happen on the reverse, such that there are two images of the Monticello.

Admittedly a double struck error is highly unusual in proof coins given that these coins go through a thorough quality control process. So, you should consider yourself lucky if you come across a 2003 proof nickel with a double struck error—it could be worth a fortune.

In 2014, a collector at a Stack’s Bowers sale paid a jaw-dropping $2,875 for a 2003-S Proof MS64 Jefferson nickel double struck error, making this one of the most desirable errors to add to your nickels collection.

 

4. 2003-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Off-Center Strike Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting 2003 Jefferson nickels is the off-center strike. This error occurs when the planchet and dies are misaligned during the striking process, resulting in part of the design missing on the obverse, reverse or both sides of the coin.

The value of an off-center strike error largely depends on the degree of misalignment. For example, a coin with a 30% degree of misalignment will generally be worth more than one with just a 5% off-center strike.

In 2015, David Lawrence Rare Coins sold a 2003-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a 30% off-center strike error for an impressive $1,560, proof that this is an error worth pursuing when building a high-value collection.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

5. 2003-P MS66 Jefferson Nickel Die Cap Error

Another error that comes up in the 2003 nickels series is the die cap. This happens when a planchet sticks to one of the dies during striking, eventually forming a “cap” around the die. The stuck planchet, which now becomes the new die face will impress a weak and distorted image on the incoming planchets.

The incoming or subsequent planchet will have a weak strike on one side and a stronger one on the opposing side. A coin with a die cap error will typically have a concave appearance, with a slightly raised rim, while the reverse will appear normal, resulting in one of the most dramatic errors you will come across.

In 2012, a collector at a Heritage Auctions event paid a remarkable $1020, for a 2003-P nickel graded MS66 with a die cap error, a price befitting this stunning error worth adding to your collection.

 

6. 2003-S Proof MS65 Jefferson Nickel Mated Pair Error

Another incredibly fascinating error you might come across when collecting 2003 dimes is the mated pair.

As the name suggests, this is an error in which two planchets are struck together, causing them to leave their respective impressions on each other. A variety of factors can cause this error to occur but most commonly it is due to a planchet failing to exit the pressing hub so that the incoming planchet is struck on top of it.

As you might already guess, mated pair errors are exceedingly rare, especially in proof coins, making them even more fascinating. What’s more interesting is that mated pairs are usually sold together, so you can own both pieces.

In 2016, at a Stack’s Bowers auction, a collector paid an eye-popping $1450 for a 2003-S proof nickel graded MS65 with a mated pair error, making this a prized error for your nickels collection.

 

7. 2003-D MS64 Jefferson Nickel Broadstrike Error

The next one on our list of 2003 nickel errors is the broad-strike, also known as a broad-struck.  This error occurs when a planchet is struck outside the collar, causing it to expand beyond its normal diameter.

The rim of a broad struck error coin will also be flatter than usual and the details on both or either side of the coin will be noticeably distorted as well. The error usually occurs due to a malfunctioned collar, which fails to hold the planchet in place during striking.

So, how much would a broad-struck error be worth? Going by previous sales, broad-struck errors can be worth a premium. For example, in April 2010 a collector at a GreatCollections auction paid an impressive $1040 for a 2003-D Jefferson nickel with a broad-struck error, a price that reflects the uniqueness and appeal of a broad-strike error.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

8. 2003-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Off-Metal Error (Struck on a Cent Planchet)

When collecting 2003 nickels, you might encounter an off-metal error in which the nickel design is struck on a cent planchet.

A coin being struck on a planchet intended for another denomination seems baffling but mint workers can accidentally (or intentionally?) mix-up things during the planchet preparation process.

A good example is this 2003-D Jefferson Nickel struck on a planchet meant for striking a cent. This resulted in a coin with a reddish color and smaller features, because the nickel design did not fully fit on the smaller center planchet. Subsequently, parts of Monticello and Jefferson’s bust are missing.

The planchet’s copper color sets this nickel apart, and the missing design elements makes it even more unique. In 2016, this piece was sold for a whopping $2030 at a GreatCollections auction.

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

Summary

Your nickels may seem ordinary, but as our 2003 nickel errors list reveals, minting errors like die clashes, off-center strikes, and broad-strikes can transform your coins into valuable collectibles worth hundreds—or even thousands of dollars! Now that you know what to look for, start your hunt for these unique 2003 nickel errors today and build an enviable, high-value collection!