Rare 2011 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you curious about collecting Jefferson nickels? Are nickels worth collecting? How much are nickel errors worth—these are some of the questions you are probably asking yourself if you are new to collecting Jefferson nickels. The good news is that our 2011 nickel errors list will reveal some of the most valuable nickels to collect, especially if you want to start collecting errors.

While Jefferson nickels are only worth their face value, uncirculated nickel errors can fetch a premium. It is not uncommon for error coins to be worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars!

Errors are rare; it takes time, patience and dedication to identify these unique coins but that is what makes them so worthwhile. If you know what to look for, you can grow an enviable collection of high-value Jefferson nickels.

So, let’s jump into our 2011 nickel errors list and discover Jefferson nickels worth money.

1. 2011-D MS62 Jefferson Nickel Obverse and Reverse Doubled Die Error

One of the most common errors you might come across when collecting Jefferson nickels is the doubled die. This error occurs when the die strikes the planchet at slightly different angles multiple times, resulting in the inscriptions overlapping with each extra strike. Overlapping can also be seen on the devices.

Doubled die errors can occurs on the obverse, reverse or on both sides of the coin at the same time. The value of such an error depends on the intensity of doubling—the more intense and visible the doubling the more valuable the error tends to be.

Take for example this 2011-D nickel graded MS62 with a doubled die error on the obverse and reverse which sold for a whopping $530 at Heritage Auctions sale in 2019.

Check More Details

 

2. 2011-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Off-Center Strike Error

Another error on our 2011 nickel errors list is the off-center strike. As the name suggests this is an error in which the design has been struck away from the center.

Usually, when the planchet is properly placed in the collar and is aligned with the die, the design on the obverse and reverse appears dab in the middle of the planchet. However, if there is a misalignment the die might land more toward the edge of the planchet, resulting in an off-center strike.

The more off-center the design is, the more valuable the coin tends to be. For example, a nickel with a 35% off-center strike error will generally be more valuable than one with a 5% off-center strike error.

In 2014, the Great Collection auctioned a 2011-P Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with an off-center strike error for an impressive $615.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

3. 2011-P MS60 Broad Struck Jefferson Nickel Error

A dramatic error you might encounter when collecting Jefferson nickels is the broad struck, also known as broad strike. This error occurs when the die strikes the planchet outside the collar resulting in a coin with a wider than usual diameter and a thinner edge.

Ideally, the planchet sits in the collar which shapes and defines the planchet’s diameter during striking. Sometimes, one of the planchet’s edge may sit or hang outside the planchet and when the die strikes, the result is a planchet with an undefined diameter and thinner edge on one side.

Such a dramatic error can fetch a premium. For example, a 2011-P nickel with a grade of MS60 and a broad strike error was sold for a whopping $1200 at a Heritage Auctions sale.

 

4. 2011-P MS62 Die Crack Jefferson Nickel Error

The next error on our 2011 nickel errors list is the simple but mighty die crack. A die crack error occurs when the surface of the die cracks along a horizontal or vertical plane and is gradually filled with tiny metals.

Eventually when the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled crack will leave its impression on the planchet’s surface. On the final coin, the die crack appears like a line across or down the coin.

Some die cracks are quite large and these can fetch more, just like the peculiarly placed die cracks. The former type of die crack can create an eye-catching impression that gives the coin a unique look.

So how much can you expect from a die crack Jefferson nickel error? Well, this depends on several factors including the coin’s condition, size and the position of the crack. Take this example of a 2011-P nickel graded MS62 with a relatively large die crack error which a collector paid $360 for at a Great Collections auction in 2013.

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

5. 2011-D MS62 Die Rim Cud Jefferson Nickel Error

Another interesting error is the rim cud, which as the name suggests appears on the coin’s rim. This error originates from a broken die edge which eventually fills with metal pieces.

When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled hole leaves its impression along the planchet’s rim. On the final coin, a rim cud appears like a lateral bump along the coin’s edge. Some cuds are larger than others and these tend to be more valuable than their smaller counterparts.

All in all, a large, visible rim cud can fetch some good money. For example, Heritage Auctions sold a 2011-D nickel graded MS62 with a die rim cud error for a neat $670.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

6. 2011-P MS60 Die Clash Nickel Error

When collecting 2011 Jefferson nickels, you might encounter die clash error coins. Die clash errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies forcefully hit against each other, leaving an impression of their respective designs on each other.

In the case of the Jefferson nickel, the reverse die may leave and impression of the Monticello on the obverse while the obverse die may impress Jefferson’s portrait on the reverse die.

When a planchet is placed and struck between the dies the resulting coin might show the primary design and a hint of the secondary design. So, for example, the obverse may show Jefferson’s portrait and a hint of the Monticello due to the die clash.

A die clash error can be worth a premium especially in uncirculated condition. For example, a 2011-P Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a die clash error on the obverse was sold for an impressive $1020 at a Great Collection auction in 2016.

Check More Details

 

7. 2011 Misaligned Die Jefferson Nickel Error

The next error on our list is the misaligned die. This aptly named error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are out of alignment resulting in an offset of the designs on either or both sides of the coin.

When the obverse and reverse dies are aligned, the designs on both sides of the coin are upright and centered. Sometimes, the dies can become misaligned due to human or technical errors resulting in the design appearing rotated at an angle when the coin is held in an upright position.

For example, on a nickel with a misaligned die error, you might find that while the obverse design is in an upright position the reverse design might be rotated at any angle, resulting in an offset.

The value of a misaligned die error largely depends on the extent of misalignment. The greater the misalignment, the more valuable the error will tend to be. For instance, a nickel in which the design is rotated at a 120-degree angle would be more valuable than one with a 20-degree misalignment.

In 2020, Heritage Auctions sold a 2011-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 in which the reverse design was rotated at a 120-degree angle relative to the obverse design, for an impressive $1050.

Check More Details

 

8. 2011-D MS64 Grease Strike Through Error Jefferson Nickel

A grease strike through is just one example of a struck-through error. This error occurs when a stray object is struck between the die and planchet and leaves its impression on the planchet.

Examples of object that can land on the planchet include hair strands, grease, dust, and even small pieces of metal or strings. Most of the time these objects fall off the planchet but sometimes they stick on the planchet’s surface, resulting in a retained struck through error.

In the case of a grease struck through, the layer of grease may prevent the die from fully transferring the design to the planchet, resulting in a weak strike.

In 2021, the Great Collections auctioned a 2011-D Jefferson nickel graded MS64 with a strike-through grease error for $265.

Check More Details

 

9. 2011-P MS63 Clipped Planchet Jefferson Nickel Error

Another error on our 2011 nickel errors list is the clipped planchet. This error occurs during the planchet-making process when the blanking die fails to punch out a complete circular planchet and instead cuts into part of the planchet’s edge.

The erroneous punching results in a coin with a partially missing edge. The value of such an error depends on the size of the clipped edge—look out for nickels with larger clipped edges as these tend to be more valuable. A collector on eBay paid an impressive $970 for a 2011-P clipped planchet nickel rated MS63.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

Summary

Collecting Jefferson nickels can be rewarding if you know what to look for. One of the best ways to collect Jefferson nickels is to focus on errors but not all errors are worth adding to your collection. As our 2011 nickel errors list reveals, unique, uncirculated, gem-quality errors can be worth a premium and are the ones worth collecting. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to collecting Jefferson nickels worth money now.