Rare 2008 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you building your Jefferson nickels set and curious whether 2008 nickels are worth collecting? You’ve come to the right place! Our 2008 nickel errors list will reveal some of the most valuable nickels to add to your collection.

In circulated condition, Jefferson nickels are only worth their face value. Even uncirculated examples are plentiful and affordable for any collector. Although gem-quality specimens are rare, they are still relatively within the reach of many collectors.

That said, you can still build a set of high-value Jefferson nickels and one of the best ways to do this is to collect error coins. Some errors can be worth a premium and will instantly boost the value of your nickels collection.

Our 2008 nickel errors list will come in handy if you want to explore nickels worth adding to your collection. So, let’s get started and discover 2008 nickel errors worth money.

1. 2008-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Missing Clad Layer On Both Sides

An eye-catching error you might encounter when collecting 2008 nickels is the missing clad layer. As the name implies, this is an error in which the coin is missing the upper clad layer on one or both sides.

This error might occur due to impurities that weaken the bond between the copper core and the upper clad layer. This results in peeling, bubbling or cracking of the upper clad layer, exposing the underlying copper core.

A partial missing clad layer in which the upper cladding is missing on only one side is more common. The full missing clad layer error where the upper clad layer is missing on both sides is rare and more popular among collectors.

Depending on the coin’s condition, a missing clad layer error can be worth a premium. For example, at a 2022 sale, Heritage Auctions sold a 2008-P nickel graded MS60 with a missing clad layer on both sides for $435.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

2. 2008-P Ms64 Misaligned Die Jefferson Nickel Error

Another error you might come across in the 2008 nickel series is the misaligned die. This error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are out of alignment due to human error or technical faults in the coining hub.

Ideally, when the two dies are aligned, they’re able to strike the coin’s center, resulting in an upright, centered obverse and reverse image. But, any slight misalignment can distort the position or orientation of the image on the coin.

A nickel with a misaligned die error will have the image on one or both sides rotated at an angle. For example, you might notice that the obverse image is rotated at a 45-degree angle relative to the reverse design.

In 2023, the Great Collection auctioned a 2008-P nickel graded MS64 with a misaligned die error in which the obverse image was rotated at a 90-degree angle, for a whopping $710.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

3. 2008-P MS61 Die Clash Nickel Error

The next one on our 2008 nickel errors list is the die clash. This is an error in which the obverse and reverse images appear on one side of the coin due to the dies colliding against each other.

Sometimes, the reverse and obverse dies may clash against each other without a planchet between them. Because they clash with great force, the dies may impress their respective design onto each other.

For example, you might come across a nickel in which the obverse features Jefferson’s full profile while the reverse features a strong image of the Monticello as well as a hint of Jefferson’s image due to the dies clashing against each other.

In 2022, Heritage Auctions sold a 2008-P nickel graded MS61 with a reverse die clash error for an impressive $400, making this a neat addition to your collection.

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4. 2008-D MS65 Broad-Struck Jefferson Nickel Error

Another interesting error that comes up in the 2008 nickel errors series is the broad-struck error, also known as a broad strike. This is an error in which the coin has a thinner than usual edge on one side and an extended diameter.

A broad-struck error occurs when the die strikes the planchet outside the collar, resulting in a coin with a larger than usual diameter.

Ideally, the planchet sits squarely inside the collar, allowing the dies to strike the planchets right at the center. The collar is a ring that holds the planchet, defining its shape and diameter during striking.

Sometimes, however, a portion of the planchet might sit outside of the collar ring, so when the die strikes, this portion of the planchet is thinned out and over-extended.

Depending on the coin’s condition, a broad-struck error can be worth good money. For example, in 2020, a collector on eBay paid $920 for a 2008-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a dramatic broad-struck error.

 

5. 2008-D MS61 Reverse Die Crack Nickel Error

One of the most common and therefore easiest errors to add to your set is the die crack. This error appears like raised cracks on the obverse or reverse side of the coin.

A die crack error occurs when a crack on the die’s surface is impressed on the planchet. Due to wear and tear, a crack may form on the die’s surface, which is gradually filled with small metal pieces as the die is put to use.

Eventually, as the die strikes several planchets, the metal-filled crack will leave an impression on one or more planchets.

Larger, more dramatic, or peculiar die cracks tend to be more valuable. In 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 2008-D Jefferson nickel graded MS61 with a reverse die crack error for an impressive $405.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

6. 2008-D MS64 Off Center Strike Nickel Error

Another error that comes up in the 2008 nickel series is the off-center strike, which can also be worth a fortune depending on the coin’s condition and extent of the off-center strike.

An off-center strike error occurs when the dies strike the planchet away from the center and more toward the edge. This typically happens due to a misalignment between the dies and planchet.

The value of an off-center strike error largely depends on the extent of the off-strike. For example, a 20% off-center error will generally be more valuable than a 5% off-center strike.

In 2023, the Great Collection auctioned a 2008-D Jefferson nickel with a 15% off-center strike error for $620, making this a nice addition to your nickels set.

 

7. 2008-P MS65 Jefferson Nickel Improperly Annealed Obverse Error

The next error we will look at is the improperly annealed planchet. Annealing is the introduction of heat and cold to soften and harden the planchet in preparation for the striking process.

Anomalies in the heating and cooling process can result in significant color changes to the planchet. An improperly annealed coin may appear black, brown, yellowish, orange, and even purple—a drastic color change from the usual nickel color.

Uncirculated, gem-quality coins with an improperly annealed nickel error can be worth a premium. In 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 2008-P MS65 Jefferson nickel with an improperly annealed obverse error for $515.

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8. 2008-P MS60 Clipped Planchet Error Nickel

A clipped planchet is another error you might come across when collecting 2008 Jefferson nickels. There are various types of clipped planchet errors but all are formed the same way.

During the striking process, a metal plate is fed into the blanking press, which cuts out the blank planchets that will later be struck into coins.

Typically, the blanking press cuts out perfect consecutive circles out of the metal plate. But, sometimes, due to technical or human errors, the blanking press might cut into a previously punched hole in the metal plate, resulting in a planchet with a clipped edge.

The most common types of clipped planchet errors are the straight, ragged, and curved edge planchet. The larger or more dramatic the clipped edge is, the more valuable the error will tend to be. For example, a collector on eBay paid $705 for a 2008-P nickel graded MS60 with a relatively large curved clipped planchet error.

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

9. 2008-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Die Gouge Error

When collecting Jefferson nickels, you might come across a die gouge error, which appears like raised scratches on the coin’s surface.

A die gouge error occurs when an object sticks to the die’s surface and is dragged across the planchet during striking. This results in the appearance of deep scratch marks on the coin’s obverse or reverse side.

Look out for nickels with larger, more visible die gouges—these are typically worth more money, especially if the coin is an uncirculated specimen. For example, at a 2021 sale, the Great Collection auctioned a 2008-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with obverse and reverse die gouge errors for an impressive $330.

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Summary

Jefferson nickels may not be as popular as other U.S. coins such as quarters and pennies but they can be rewarding if you adopt the right collection strategy. One of the most rewarding strategies is to collect nickel errors, which, as our 2008 nickel errors list shows, can be worth a fortune. What’s more, you will get more value for your money by paying attention to uncirculated gem-quality specimen. Happy collecting!