Rare 2006 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you building your Jefferson nickels set and are looking for high-value coins for your collection? Are you curious whether 2006 nickels are worth collecting? We wrote this 2006 nickel errors list for you!

The United States has struck the Jefferson nickel since 1938. Despite its long history, this coin is not as popular as other U.S. coins such as the penny or quarter. Still, collecting Jefferson nickels can be rewarding if you use the right strategy.

Generally, Jefferson nickels are only worth their face value in circulated condition. If you are lucky to come across a truly uncirculated nickel, it might still be worth more or less its face value, unless it is a gem quality specimen with a super grading of MS66 and more.

Does this mean Jefferson nickels are not worth anything? No! As mentioned, these coins can be worth good money if you know what to look for when building your collection. It is entirely possible to build out a high-value Jefferson nickels collection, especially if you are collecting errors.

As our 2006 nickel errors list will reveal, some errors are worth a premium—you just need to know which ones to look out for. So, if you are ready to discover nickel errors worth money, let’s jump in and get started.

1. 2006-P MS65 Jefferson Nickel With Die Chip Errors Reverse

One of the errors you might come across when collecting Jefferson nickels is the die chip. Die chips ar typically small errors that occur when small pieces break and fall off from the die’s surface, leaving small holes that are eventually filled with metal pieces as the die continues working.

Eventually, the small metal-filled holes will leave their impression on one or more planchets, resulting in die chip errors on the obverse or reverse of the coin.

Larger or peculiar-looking die chips are usually more eye-catching and may prompt a collector to pay more. For example, in 2021, a collector on eBay paid an impressive $935 for a 2006-P Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with multiple die chip errors on the reverse.

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Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

2. 2006-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Obverse Error

Another error that comes up in the 2006 Jefferson nickels series is the doubled die. This is an error in which the devices and inscriptions shows visible doubling as a result of the die striking the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles.

The value of a doubled die error will largely depend on the intensity of doubling. Errors with greater intensity will usually be worth more than those with only subtle doubling.  Of course, the coin’s condition will also contribute to its value.

In 2023, a collector at a Heritage Auctions paid an impressive $950 for a 2006-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a doubled die obverse error, making this an error worth adding to your collection.

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3. 2006-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Struck Through Error

Next up, we will look at the struck-through error, which you can find when collecting 2006 nickels. This error occurs when a foreign object is struck between the die and planchet. Such an object can be anything from a speck of wood, strand of hair, string, grease or dust just to mention a few.

When a stray object is struck between the die and planchet it may leave its impression on the coin’s surface resulying in a strike-through error. Usually, the stray object will fall off but sometimes it might stick onto the planchet, resulting in a retained struck-through error.

The more dramatic the strike-through error, the more valuable it tends to be. In 2023, Heritage Collections sold a 2006-P Jefferson nickel with a struck through error on the obverse for a whopping $1050, making this another enviable error to potentially add to your collection.

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4. 2006-P MS63 Jefferson Nickel Improperly Annealed Obverse & Reverse Planchet Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting Jefferson nickels is the improperly annealed planchet. This is an error in which the coin is a different color from the usual; improperly annealed planchets might appear black, grey, orange, yellow or a spectrum of other colors.

Improper annealing occurs when a coin is exposed to too much heat or cold during the planchet-making process. Annealing is the process of exposing the planchets to heat and cold, preparing them for minting. Any excesses may lead to the metal changing colors.

So, how much can you expect from an improperly annealed coin? Well, his largely depends on the coin’s condition but generally, collectors are willing to pay a premium for uncirculated annealed coins. For example, in 2022 a collector at a Great Collections auction paid an impressive $710 for a 2006-P nickel graded MS63 with an improperly annealed error on the obverse and reverse.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

5. 2006-D MS62 Jefferson Nickel Die Crack Error

A die crack is one of the most common errors in the 2006 nickel series. As the name implies, this is an error in which a crack-like appearance occurs on the coin’s surface.

A die crack error occurs when the die’s surface develops a crack, which is subsequently filled with small metal pieces as the die continues to work. Eventually, the die crack filled with metal will leave its own impression on the coin’s surface.

Die crack errors can appear anywhere on the coin’s surface on either side. Larger cracks or those with a peculiar appearance tend to be more eye-catching and will generally fetch more in the numismatic market.

In 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 2006-D nickel with an obverse die crack along Jefferson’s face for $440, making this a fuss-free addition to your collection.

 

6. 2006-D MS61 Nickel Missing Clad Layer Obverse

The next error we will look at in the 2006 nickel series is the missing clad layer. This error occurs when the upper clad layer on the coin peels off, exposing the inner copper core.

Peeling, bubbling, cracking may occur when the bond between the clad layer and copper core is weak. This can happen due to the presence of impurities in the alloy, which can interfere with the bonding process.

Missing clad layer errors can be worth a premium, depending on the coin’s condition. A good example is a 2006-D MS61 nickel with a missing clad layer on the obverse that fetched $580 at a 2021 eBay auction.

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7. 2006-P MS60 Straight Clipped Planchet Jefferson Nickel Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting Jefferson nickels is the clipped planchet. As the name implies, a clipped planchet is one that’s broken on one or more sides along the coin’s edge.

This error occurs when the die used to cut planchets from the metal plate (blanking die) cuts into an empty hole on the metal plate while cutting the subsequent planchet. This results in the planchet missing a portion of itself, creating a clipped planchet.

Clipped planchets can be straight, curved, or jagged depending on the angle the blanking die cuts into the planchet. All in all, this can be quite a dramatic error. Look out for coins with larger clipped planchet errors as these tend to be worth more than smaller ones.

In 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 2006-P nickel with a straight clipped planchet error for an impressive $980. The coin had a PCGS grading of MS60.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

8. 2006-P MS63 Jefferson Nickel Misaligned Die Error

Next, we’ll look at the misaligned die error, which you might come across when colleting 2006 nickels. This is an error in which the obverse and reverse designs are out of alignment.

Ideally, the obverse and reverse dies are aligned, ensuring the designs on both sides are centered on the planchet. Sometimes, the dies might become misaligned due to technical or human errors.

On a coin with a misaligned die error, you might notice that the obverse design is rotated at an angle relative to the reverse design or vice versa. For example, Jefferson’s portrait might be rotated at a 45-degree angle while the reverse design is centered and upright.

A misaligned die error can be worth good money, especially if the offset between the obverse and reverse design is the significant. A good example is this 2006-P MS63 nickel with a misaligned die error for which a collector at a 2022 Great Collections auction paid $1020.

 

9. 2006-D MS61 Jefferson Nickel Brokage Error

Another interesting error that comes up in the 2006 nickel errors series is the brokage. A brokage occurs when a planchet fails to eject from the punching hub and instead sticks to the die so that the planchet’s reverse side becomes the new die face.

The incoming blank planchets will then be struck by the stuck planchet on the obverse and the anvil die on the reverse. This results in the planchets having a weak obverse image featuring the reverse design and a similar but stronger reverse image—this is known as a brokage error coin.

Brokage errors are rare and can be worth a premium. Take for example, a 2006-D Jefferson nickel graded MS61 with a brokage error, for which a collector paid a whopping $1250 at a 2020 Heritage Auctions sale.

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

Summary

With the right strategy, collecting Jefferson nickels can be rewarding. As our 2006 nickel errors list reveals, collecting errors can be a profitable method for building your Jefferson nickel—these coins be worth a premium! Now that you know some of the best errors to look out for, you can start adding high-value nickels to your collection.