Rare 2010 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you considering collecting 2010 Jefferson nickels and wonder if they are worth it? The Jefferson nickel is certainly a hidden gem—collectors sometimes overlook this coin but collecting nickels can be quite rewarding if you know what to look for, as you will discover in our 2010 nickel errors list.

Indeed, one way to collect Jefferson nickels is to pay attention to errors. Errors are unique, rare and some can be worth a premium. If you are building out your nickels collection, the right error coins can significantly boost the value of your stash.

It is not uncommon for nickel errors to be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars! Compare this to a normal circulated nickel, which is generally only worth its face value. Whether you are a new hobbyist or an experienced collector, collecting errors is the way to go if you want to add value to your collection.

So, from our 2010 nickel errors list you will discover some of the most valuable Jefferson nickels that you can add to your collection. Read on to learn more about nickels worth money!

1. 2010-D MS60 Jefferson Nickel Obverse Doubling Error

A common error you might come across when collecting 2010 Jefferson nickels is the doubled die. This is an error in which the inscriptions, and sometimes, the devices, show visible doubling.

A doubled die error, which can appear on the obverse or reverse, occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles. This can happen due to slight movements of the planchet or die from its original position.

Whether on the devices or inscriptions, you will notice distinct overlapping causes by the minting error. The value of a doubled die error will largely depend on the intensity of doubling—the more intense or visible the doubling, the more valuable the error is likely to be.

In 2018, a collector on eBay paid a whopping $700 for a 2010-D Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a doubled die error on the obverse.

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2. 2010-P MS62 Jefferson Nickel Clipped Planchet Error

A clipped planchet is one of the most dramatic errors you might encounter when building out your 2010 Jefferson nickel collection.

As the name suggests, a clipped planchet is an error in which a portion of the coin’s edge is missing. This error occurs during the planchet-making phase where the die used to cut out planchets from the metal sheet, improperly cuts into the adjacent edges, causing the planchet to miss a portion of its edge.

The clipped portion of some planchets may be straight, jagged, or in the shape of a crescent. Ideally, you should look out for nickels with large, visible clipped edges compared to smaller ones. Larger clipped edges will generally be more valuable.

In 2020, Heritage Auctions sold a 2010-P Jefferson nickel graded MS62 with a clipped planchet error for an impressive $1020, making this a nice addition to your collection.

 

3. 2010-D MS65 Jefferson Nickel Improperly Annealed Reverse Planchet Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting Jefferson nickels is the improperly annealed planchet. Annealing is the process of heating and cooling the planchet to prepare it for striking.

Sometimes, anomalies in the heating and cooling process can cause the planchet to acquire a different color from the norm. For example, improper annealing can result in the planchet becoming black, brown, yellowing or orange with a hint of purple.

If you find a nickel with an odd-looking color on the coin’s surface, whether on the obverse or reverse, you are likely looking at an improperly annealed error coin.

So, how much can an improperly annealed Jefferson nickel fetch? Well, depending on the coin’s condition, such an  error can be worth quite a lot. For example, in 2019, the Great Collection auctioned a 2010-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with an improperly annealed error on the reverse for an eye-watering $910.

 

4. 2010-D MS64 Struck Through Grease Error Jefferson Nickel

 The next error on our 2010 nickel errors list is the struck through grease. This is one version of the popular struck through error, which occurs when a foreign object is struck between the die and planchet. 

Aside from grease, other objects that can land on the planchet during striking include strands of hair, pieces of metal or wire, specks of wood, dust and other small debris.

Most of the time, these stray objects eventually fall off from the planchet, only leaving their impression. But, in some cases, the object remains stuck on the planchet’s surface, resulting in a retained struck-through error.

 A struck through error can be quite valuable especially if it is a retained error. Take the example of this 2010-D MS64 Jefferson nickel with a retained struck-through error which was auctioned for an impressive $555 at a 2020 Heritage Auctions sale.

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5. 2010-D MS60 Jefferson Nickel Rim Cud Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting 2010 nickels is the rim cud. This error occurs when a a piece of metal falls off the dies edge, leaving a hole that gradually fills with metal pieces.

When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled hole eventually leaves an impression of itself, resulting in a raised lateral bump along the coin’s rim; this is known as a rim cud.

There are different sizes of rim cud errors—the larger the rim cud the more valuable it tends to be but the value will also depend on the coin’s condition.

In 2019, the Great Collection auctioned a 2010-D Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a rim cud error for a whopping $780, making this one of the most valuable Jefferson nickel errors to add to your collection.

 

6. 2010-P MS64 Lamination Error Jefferson Nickel

There are various types of lamination errors, many of which can be quite dramatic. Despite their difference in appearance, lamination errors generally occur due to the presence of impurities in the alloy.

Impurities can weaken the bond in the alloy or between the upper clad layer and core, causing the layer to break and lift vertically or laterally. On some nickels with a lamination error, you might notice that the coin’s upper layer is fully or partially missing. In other cases, the planchet will appear like a clamshell after breaking along the vertical or horizontal plane.

 The more dramatic the lamination error the more valuable it generally will be. For example, this 2010-D Jefferson nickel graded MS64 with a clamshell lamination error was sold for an eye-watering $1015 at a 2022 Heritage Auctions sale.

 

7. 2010-D MS61 Jefferson Nickel Broad Struck Error

Another dramatic error appearing in the 2010 Jefferson nickels series is the broad struck. This error occurs when the planchet is struck outside the planchet due to improper positioning of the planchet.

Usually, the planchet is positioned squarely inside the collar, which in turn supports that planchet and helps to define its diameter. Sometimes, the planchet may accidentally sit outside the collar such that one side of the planchet is not contained in the collar.

When the die strikes, the hanging side of the planchet will expand beyond its normal diameter and the edge will be thinned out. This results in a deformed coin that’s distinctively different from a normal circular planchet.

How much is a broad struck error typically worth? Such an error can fetch some good money so it is worthwhile collecting and adding to your collection. For example, in 2018, a collector on eBay paid a whopping $980 for a 2010-D Jefferson nickel graded MS61 with a broad struck error.

 

8. 2010-P MS63 Feeder Finger Jefferson Nickel Error

A feeder finger is an error in which the surface of the coin contains distinct lateral scratch-like marks. This error occurs when the feeder fingers are struck between the die and planchet.

Ideally, the feeder fingers, which help position the planchet in the collar, retract immediately afterward. In some instances, though, the feeder fingers do not retract, and are accidentally struck between the die and planchet. This results in the feeder fingers leaving their impression on the coin’s surface.

In 2015, Heritage Auctions sold a 2010-P Jefferson nickel graded MS63 with a feeder finger error for $505, making this a desirable error for your Jefferson nickel collection.

 

9. 2010-D MS65 Die Crack Jefferson Nickel Error

Last but not least on our 2010 nickel errors list is the die crack, a common error that can be worth good money. As the name suggests, a die crack error occurs when the surface of the die develops a crack that gradually fills with metal.

Eventually, after multiple strikes, the metal-filled crack leaves its impression on the planchet’s surface, resulting in a die crack error. This error appears like a raised crack anywhere on the coin’s surface—the more peculiar the appearance, the more valuable the die crack tends to be. Larger die cracks are also generally more worthwhile.

In 2019, the Great Collection sold a 2010-D nickel graded MS65 with a die crack error on the obverse for an impressive $620.

 

Summary

If you are looking to collect high-value Jefferson nickels, an excellent place to start is by collecting errors. Not all errors are worth a premium but as our 2010 nickel errors list reveals, if you know what to look for, you can spot nickel errors worth hundreds or thousands. So, what are you waiting for? Start collecting your Jefferson nickel errors today!