Rare 2013 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

A 2013-D Jefferson nickel with a counter-brokage error sold for $685 at a 2014 Heritage Auctions sale. That price makes the 2013 nickel error list worth a close look, even for a coin most people spend without thinking.

Error values for this year range from $75 for clipped planchets to nearly $700 for dramatic striking failures. Here is every documented error type for the 2013 Jefferson nickel, sorted from least to most valuable.

1. 2013 Nickel Clipped Planchet Error (Up to $75)

Clipped planchets occur before striking. The blanking press punches discs from a metal strip, and when the strip fails to advance properly, the next cut overlaps the previous hole — removing a crescent-shaped bite from the new blank.

Because Jefferson nickels are solid copper-nickel alloy rather than a plated composition, the clip edge shows uniform metal throughout. No contrasting core is visible, which makes nickel clips harder to spot at a glance than cent clips that flash a silver zinc core.

Value: Most clipped 2013 nickels sell for $10 to $40 in circulated grades. Larger clips missing 10% or more of the planchet bring $50 to $75 in uncirculated condition.

A 2014-D Jefferson nickel with a dramatic clip graded MS65 sold on eBay in 2018 for $435, showing how extreme examples from adjacent years can reach triple digits. Typical small clips trade for under $25.

How to Identify: Look for a crescent-shaped or straight-edged bite missing from the coin’s rim. The clip area will lack a raised rim because the upsetting mill could not form one where metal was absent.

Weigh the coin — a standard nickel weighs 5.00 grams, and a clipped specimen will register noticeably less. The Blakesley effect is the strongest diagnostic: directly opposite the clip, the rim will appear weak or flattened.

Post-mint damage from pliers or vises produces sharp, irregular edges with tool marks. Genuine clips have a smooth, curved edge matching the blanking punch geometry and show the Blakesley effect.

Fastest confirmation: check for the weak rim directly opposite the missing area.

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2. 2013 Nickel Off-Center Strike Error (Up to $100)

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet is not properly seated in the collar before the dies close. The portion extending beyond the die face receives no impression, leaving a crescent of blank metal where the normal design should appear.

The percentage of displacement drives value — a 5% shift is barely noticeable, while a 50% off-center nickel with a readable date looks dramatically wrong. The date and mint mark must remain visible for the coin to have meaningful collector value.

Value: Off-center 2013 nickels struck 10% to 25% off-center typically sell for $15 to $50. Dramatic examples at 40% to 60% off-center with a complete date can reach $75 to $100 in uncirculated condition.

No major auction house has cataloged a high-value 2013 nickel off-center strike as a standalone lot, so pricing comes from eBay sold listings. Circulated examples with moderate displacement trade in the $15 to $30 range.

How to Identify: One side of the coin will show a crescent-shaped blank area with no design and no rim. The design shifts toward the opposite edge, and the blank area appears on both obverse and reverse in the same direction.

Flip the coin to confirm the blank crescent is on the opposite side of the reverse — this rules out a broadstrike, which retains the full design. The struck portion should show full detail and normal pressure.

If the entire coin looks weak rather than partially blank, you are looking at a die adjustment strike. Measure the blank area as a percentage of the total diameter to estimate displacement.

Fastest confirmation: a crescent of blank metal with no rim on one side and full strike detail on the other.

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3. 2013 Nickel Die Crack Error (Up to $110)

Die cracks form as dies endure hundreds of thousands of strikes under massive pressure. Tiny fractures propagate through the steel, and metal from each planchet fills those fractures, leaving raised irregular lines on the finished coin.

Location determines value more than size. A crack running across Jefferson’s face or through the date draws far more collector interest than one in the open field.

On Jefferson nickels, die cracks frequently develop around the high-relief areas of Jefferson’s hair and along the rim near LIBERTY — the stress-concentration zones where die steel is thinnest.

Value: Minor die cracks on 2013 nickels add $2 to $15 to a coin’s value. A 2013-P Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a prominent obverse die crack sold on eBay in 2015 for $110.

That $110 price reflects an unusually dramatic crack on a mint state coin. Circulated examples with impressive cracks generally trade between $10 and $50 depending on eye appeal.

How to Identify: Look for raised irregular lines crossing design elements at unexpected angles. Die cracks always protrude above the field — they are raised, not incised.

Under 5x magnification, the line should appear slightly rounded and continuous, following the natural stress pattern of the die steel. Post-mint scratches are cut into the surface and displace metal to either side, while die cracks cross over design elements smoothly.

Multiple cracks from the same die can intersect and form branching patterns. Check both obverse and reverse since cracks develop independently on each die.

Fastest confirmation: a raised line that crosses design elements smoothly with no displaced metal at its edges.

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4. 2013 Nickel Broad Strike Error (Up to $150)

A broad strike occurs when the planchet is struck entirely outside the retaining collar. The collar normally constrains the nickel to 21.21mm and forms the plain rim — without it, metal flows outward freely under full die pressure.

The result is a coin wider than normal, thinner in profile, and missing its defined rim entirely. The full design remains on both sides, which separates a broadstrike from an off-center strike where design portions are absent — broadstrikes feel noticeably wrong the instant you handle one.

Value: Broad struck 2013 nickels in circulated condition sell for $25 to $75. Uncirculated examples with fully preserved design details and a clearly expanded diameter can bring $100 to $150.

A 2017-P Jefferson nickel graded MS64 with a broadstrike sold for $75, providing a reference for modern Jefferson nickel broadstrike pricing. Circulated broadstrikes from 2013 generally trade in the $25 to $50 range online.

How to Identify: Measure the diameter with calipers — a standard 2013 nickel measures 21.21mm, and a broadstrike will measure noticeably larger, sometimes 22mm or more. The coin will have no defined raised rim.

The edge tapers smoothly into the field rather than showing the normal squared-off profile. Both obverse and reverse should display the complete design with full detail.

Weigh the coin; it should weigh the standard 5.00 grams because the planchet is correct, just unstruck by the collar. If portions of the design are missing, the coin is off-center instead.

Fastest confirmation: diameter over 21.5mm with no rim and a complete design on both sides.

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5. 2013 Nickel Die Chip Error (Up to $215)

A die chip forms when a small fragment of the die surface breaks away, leaving a shallow pit. During striking, planchet metal fills that pit and produces a raised bump on the finished coin that matches no part of the intended design.

Die chips are small and isolated — typically smaller than the head of a pin — while cuds involve large sections of the die rim breaking off. Position matters more than size: a chip inside a letter or on Jefferson’s nose creates visual interest that drives collector demand.

Value: Most die chip errors add $3 to $15 to a 2013 nickel’s value. A 2013-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a reverse die chip error sold at Heritage Auctions in 2016 for $215.

That $215 reflects a prominent chip on a high-grade coin — typical circulated die chip nickels sell for $5 to $25 online. Chips positioned inside letters or on key design features command the strongest premiums.

How to Identify: Look for small raised bumps on the coin’s surface that do not match any part of the normal design. Under 10x magnification, a genuine chip appears as a smooth raised dome, not a sharp angular fragment.

Post-mint contact marks leave depressions, not raised areas — this is the critical distinction. Die chips are consistent across all coins struck by the same die, so locating a second example confirms authenticity.

Check the field around Jefferson’s portrait and inside the letters of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Fastest confirmation: a small raised bump that does not correspond to any known design element and is not a depression.

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6. 2013 Nickel Doubled Die Error (Up to $215)

Doubled die errors originate during the die manufacture process, not during striking. When the hub impresses the die and a misalignment occurs between impressions, every coin struck by that die carries identical doubled images — this consistency is what separates hub doubling from worthless machine doubling.

On 2013 nickels, documented doubling appears most commonly on the reverse in MONTICELLO and FIVE CENTS lettering. No major hub doubling comparable to the famous 2004 “Extra Column” variety has been confirmed for this year.

Value: A 2013-P Jefferson nickel with a reverse doubled die graded MS61 sold for $215 at Heritage Auctions. Minor doubled die varieties with modest separation sell for $25 to $75 depending on the visibility and location of the doubling.

Circulated examples with light doubling visible only under magnification generally bring under $30. Bold separation visible without a loupe commands multiples of faint varieties.

How to Identify: Use at least 10x magnification and examine MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse for overlapping or shadowed letters. On the obverse, check LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and Jefferson’s eye and ear.

Genuine hub doubling shows raised, rounded secondary images. Machine doubling shows flat, shelf-like displacement in one direction with no raised profile — it is worthless.

True doubled dies feel raised when you drag a fingernail across the doubled area. Compare your coin to images on Variety Vista or Wexler’s Die Varieties for confirmation.

Fastest confirmation: raised doubling you can feel with your fingernail, matching a documented variety.

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7. 2013 Nickel Improperly Annealed Error (Up to $215)

Annealing is the controlled heating and cooling cycle that softens planchets before striking. When the furnace temperature, timing, or atmosphere deviates from specification, the planchet’s surface chemistry changes and produces abnormal coloring.

On 2013 nickels, improperly annealed specimens display colors ranging from dark brown to streaky purple, mottled yellow, or charcoal gray. The color change happens before striking, so all design details remain fully impressed.

Each coin displays a unique pattern. The more vivid the coloring, the stronger the demand.

Value: A 2013-D Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with an improperly annealed planchet error sold at Great Collections in 2015 for $215. Circulated examples with dramatic discoloration trade for $20 to $75.

Subtle color shifts that could be confused with environmental toning bring far less — under $15 in most cases. Strong pricing requires vivid, unmistakable coloring that clearly could not result from normal wear or chemical exposure.

How to Identify: The coin will display abnormal coloring across most or all of its surface — not localized spots or patches. Common patterns include uniform dark brown, woodgrain streaks, or purple-yellow swirls covering both sides.

Design details should be fully struck because the error occurs before striking. Under magnification, the surface should appear smooth and metallic, not corroded or pitted.

Environmental toning produces uneven discoloration concentrated in recesses, often with surface damage. Improperly annealed planchets show color changes across high points and fields equally.

The coin should weigh 5.00 grams. Fastest confirmation: dramatic uniform discoloration with fully struck details and no corrosion.

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8. 2013 Nickel Rim Cud Error (Up to $310)

A rim cud forms when a section of the die’s edge breaks away entirely — not just a hairline crack, but a full separation of die steel. Metal from the planchet fills the void during striking, creating a raised, featureless blob along the rim.

Cuds differ from die cracks in scale: a crack leaves a thin raised line, while a cud produces a substantial lump of blank metal. Larger cuds that obliterate nearby letters or design elements are the most collectible.

Value: Small rim cuds on 2013 nickels sell for $15 to $75. A 2013-P Jefferson nickel graded MS61 with a rim cud error sold at Great Collections for $310.

The size and position of the cud drive pricing — cuds near the date, LIBERTY, or Jefferson’s portrait command the highest premiums. Circulated examples with moderate cuds typically trade between $25 and $100.

How to Identify: Look along the rim for a raised, flat or slightly domed blob of featureless metal interrupting the normal rim profile. The cud area will show no design detail — it is blank raised metal.

Under magnification, you should see the cud connecting to a die crack extending into the coin’s field. The opposite side of the coin will appear normal in the cud area.

Cuds are always raised — a depression at the rim indicates damage. The coin may weigh slightly above 5.00 grams because extra metal fills the void.

Do not confuse rim damage from coin-counting machines with genuine cuds. Fastest confirmation: a raised featureless blob at the rim connected to a die crack extending inward.

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9. 2013 Nickel Struck Through Error (Up to $412)

Struck-through errors occur when foreign material — grease, cloth fibers, wire, or debris — sits between the die and planchet during striking. The die presses the obstruction into the coin, leaving a depression where design details are weak or absent.

Grease-filled dies produce the most common variant: soft or missing features across a localized area. Struck-through-cloth errors leave a fabric weave pattern, and struck-through-wire errors leave narrow linear impressions.

Retained strike-throughs — where the foreign material stays embedded in the coin — are the most valuable subtype.

Value: Common grease-filled 2013 nickels sell for $10 to $50 depending on how much detail is missing. A 2013-P Jefferson nickel graded MS63 with a struck-through error sold for $412 at an online auction in 2017.

Retained strike-throughs with visible embedded material can reach $300 to $500 in uncirculated condition. Simple struck-through-grease examples on circulated coins bring $25 to $75 through dealer channels and eBay.

How to Identify: Look for areas where design details appear soft or entirely missing while surrounding areas remain sharp and fully struck. The boundary between affected and normal should be abrupt — gradual weakness across the entire coin suggests a weak strike instead.

Struck-through-cloth shows a crosshatch or weave pattern under 10x magnification. Struck-through-wire leaves a narrow, pressed-in linear impression in the field.

For retained strike-throughs, examine for embedded foreign material sitting within or flush with the surface. If the material scrapes off easily, it is post-mint contamination rather than a genuine mint error.

Fastest confirmation: a sharply bounded area of missing detail with normal-strength strike immediately surrounding it.

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10. 2013 Nickel Lamination Error (Up to $620)

Lamination errors on nickels occur when contaminants or gas pockets become trapped within the solid copper-nickel alloy during strip preparation. Striking forces these inclusions to the surface, causing the metal to peel, split, or flake in layers.

This is not a “missing clad layer.” Jefferson nickels are homogeneous 75% copper and 25% nickel — not a clad sandwich — so the peeling occurs within the alloy itself along contamination boundaries.

Major lamination peels exposing large areas of subsurface metal are among the most dramatic nickel errors, sometimes with a hinged flap still partially attached.

Value: A 2013-P Jefferson nickel graded MS62 with a full lamination error sold at Heritage Auctions in 2016 for $620. This ranks among the highest prices paid for any 2013 nickel error at a major auction house.

Small lamination flaps sell for $10 to $50 depending on size and location. Major laminations covering large portions of the design bring $200 to $620 in uncirculated grades.

How to Identify: Look for areas where the metal appears to be peeling, splitting, or flaking from the surface. The exposed subsurface will look identical in color because the alloy is uniform throughout.

Run your fingernail across suspect areas — a lamination flap will catch because it is raised. Under magnification, genuine laminations show an irregular, natural separation pattern along the contamination boundary.

Post-mint corrosion produces pitting and discoloration, not clean metal peeling — laminations reveal clean subsurface metal. The coin should weigh close to 5.00 grams, slightly under if material has separated.

Fastest confirmation: a cleanly peeling metal flap revealing uniform alloy underneath.

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11. 2013 Nickel Counter-Brokage Error (Up to $685)

A counter-brokage happens when a struck coin sticks to the hammer die and acts as a secondary die for the next blank fed into the press. The stuck coin impresses its design — in reverse and weaker — onto the new blank.

The result is a coin showing elements of the reverse on the obverse side, or vice versa. One face displays a normal sharp strike while the other shows a ghostly mirror-image impression.

This error requires a specific chain of failures — the coin must stick, the press must keep cycling, and quality control must miss it.

Value: A 2013-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a counter-brokage error sold for $685 at a 2014 Heritage Auctions sale — the highest documented price for a 2013 nickel error.

Partial counter-brokage errors, where only a portion of the stuck coin’s design transferred, sell for $200 to $400 in uncirculated condition. Full counter-brokage examples with clear mirror-image impressions command the top premiums.

How to Identify: Examine both sides under good lighting for elements of Monticello appearing where Jefferson should be, or vice versa. The counter-brokage image will appear weaker and slightly blurry compared to the normally struck side.

The transferred design will be a mirror image — reversed left-to-right — because it was impressed by an already-struck coin acting as a die. The normal side should retain full detail and sharpness.

Do not confuse die clash marks — faint mirror-image design from die-to-die contact — with counter-brokage, which is far more dramatic and complete. If both sides appear equally weak, a different error is likely.

Fastest confirmation: a clear mirror-image of the opposite side’s design visible on one face of the coin.

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Conclusion

The 2013 nickel error market runs from $75 for minor clipped planchets to $685 for authenticated counter-brokage strikes, with lamination errors and struck-throughs filling the $400 to $620 middle ground. A precision scale, a 10x loupe, and calipers cover the diagnostic tools you need — and remember that Jefferson nickels are solid alloy, not clad, so any reference to a “missing clad layer” on a nickel is incorrect.