Rare 2015 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you curious whether Jefferson nickels are worth anything? Whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned hobbyist, collecting nickels can be rewarding if you know what to look for.

Jefferson nickels face significantly low competition compared to popular US coins such as Washington quarters; you can build your collection without breaking the bank.

However, not very Jefferson nickel is worth collecting. As our 2015 nickel errors list shall reveal, errors can pay off and will add significant value to your collection.

Nickel errors can be worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars—compare this to the ordinary circulated nickels which are worth more or less their face value of between $0.10 and $0.50.

If you are curious to learn more about 2015 nickel errors worth money, jump in and let’s get started with our 2015 nickel errors list.

1. 2015-D MS60 Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse Error

The doubled die is one of the most common errors you might encounter when collecting Jefferson nickels. This means adding this error to your collection can be relatively easy.

A doubled die error, which can occur on the obverse or reverse, results from the die striking the planchet at slightly different angles, multiple times. This causes a visible doubling on the devices and inscriptions on the obverse and/or reverse of the coin.

The value of a doubled die error depends on the intensity of doubling—subtle doubling will not be as valuable as intense doubling.

The Great Collections auctioned a 2015-D Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a doubled die error on the obverse for $100, which is impressive considering how common the doubled die error is.

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2. 2015-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Die Chip Error

A die chip is yet another common error you can easily add to your collection. This error occurs when a small piece of metal falls off from the die’s surface, leaving an equally small hole that is eventually filled with metal.

When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled hole leaves an impression in the form of a raised bump or ding on the coin’s surface. One coin can have a single die chip error but it is common for multiple die chips to occur on the same coin either on the reverse or obverse.

Factors such as the size, shape and number of die chips play a role in determining how much a coin would be worth.

In 2017, Heritage Collections sold a 2015-P Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a die chip error for an impressive $150.

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3. 2015-D MS63 Jefferson Nickel Rotated Dies Error

As the name suggests, a rotated dies error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are misaligned and rotated at an angle.

So, instead of the dies aligned to strike the planchet in a way that the design comes out straight and square, the dies are offset so the design on the obverse is at an offset with the one on the reverse.

For example, when holding a Jefferson nickel upright, a rotated dies error might make it look like Jefferson’s portrait is upright but when you look on the reverse the Monticello is tilted at an angle.

Heritage Auctions sold a 2015-D Jefferson nickel graded MS63 with a rotated dies error for $505, making this one of the bets additions to your collection.

 

4. 2015-D MS62 Jefferson Nickel Die Clash Error

A die clash is quite an interesting error, which occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike against each other in the absence of a planchet.

Due to the sheer force of striking against each other, the dies can transfer their respective designs onto each other and eventually to the final coin.

A coin with a die clash error will have a primary image of the obverse die and a subtle, ghost-like image of the reverse die. This is due to the mish and mash of the obverse and reverse designs.

In 2017, a collector paid $220 for a 2015-D Jefferson nickel graded MS62 with a die clash error, making this a worthwhile addition to your Jefferson collection.

 

5. 2015-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Improper Annealing Error

Improper annealing errors are rare but this doesn’t mean they are out of reach. Because of their rarity, these error coins can be a great addition and might significantly improve your collection’s worth.

Annealing is the planchet-making process, which involves introducing heat and cold to the metal used to make planchet strips. Too much or too little heat or cold can affect the entire process, with one result being a significant color change in the metal.

For example, due to improper annealing, a Jefferson nickel may take on a different color from the norm including purplish, yellowish, gray, black and even brown. Such significant color changes result from the heating and cooling process involved in the making of the blank coin.

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6. 2015-P MS65 Jefferson Nickel Strike-Thru Error

A strike-through error is yet another potentially dramatic error, involving a foreign object being struck between the planchet and die. The foreign object can be anything from dust and debris to grease and pieces of metal among others.

In some cases, the foreign object may fall off from the planchet’s surface, leaving behind a ghost impression of itself. Sometimes, the foreign object may stick to the planchet’s surface, resulting in a retained struck-through or strike-through error.

The more dramatic a struck-through error is, the more valuable the coin tends to be. In 2018, a collector on eBay paid $330 for a 2015-P nickel graded MS65 with a retained struck-through error—there is no doubt that this error can make a valuable addition to your collection.

 

7. 2015-P MS65 Jefferson Nickel 5FS Five Full Steps Error

When collecting Jefferson nickels, you will come across the term “Full Steps.” This refers to the steps on the Monticello on the reverse of the nickel— full steps is when all five or six steps leading up to Jefferson’s iconic home are clear-cut and visible.

Full Steps is not necessarily an error but nickels with all five or six steps visible are so rare that collectors consider them an anomaly. Nickels with the Full Steps phenomenon are typically gem-quality coins that can be worth a fortune.

In 2019, Heritage Auctions sold a 2015-P Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with the five full steps for a whopping $525. If you are lucky enough to spot a Full Steps nickel, it could earn you a fortune.

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8. 2015-D MS62 Jefferson Nickel Lamination Error

A lamination error is one in which the upper nickel and copper layer peel off, exposing the underlying metal coin.

Anything from impurities to too much heat or cold during the planchet-making process can weaken the bond between the lamination and copper core. When this happens, you will notice on some coins the upper layer is raised or peeling off.

The value of a lamination error will mostly depend on the extent of peeling or lifting. In 2020, the Great Collections sold a 2015-D Jefferson nickel graded MS62 with a lamination error for $300.

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9. 2015-D MS62 Jefferson Nickel Broad Struck Error

Another dramatic error you might come across when collecting Jefferson nickels is the broad struck. This error occurs when the planchet is improperly placed in the collar, resulting in the die striking the planchet the wrong way.

The collar holds the planchet and helps define its diameter but sometimes the die can strike the planchet outside the collar. This results in a coin with a larger than usual diameter and a thinner edge on the affected areas—this is known as a broad struck error.

For a coin to qualify as a broad-struck error it must have all the details in place both on the obverse and reverse. This is unlike the off-center strike error in which some of the details might be missing. 

In 2016, a collector paid $485 for a 2015-D Jefferson nickel graded MS62 with a broad struck error, making this one of the most valuable nickel errors to add to your collection.

 

10. 2015-P MS60 Jefferson Nickel Rim Cud Error

A rim cud is one of the smaller but outstanding errors in the 2015 nickel series. This error occurs when a piece of metal breaks off the die’s edge, leaving behind a shallow hole that is eventually filled with metal as the die continues being used.

When the die strikes the planchet, the metal-filled cavity leaves an impression along the edge of the coin, resulting in a rim cud error. A rim cud looks and feels like a raised bump along the coin’s circumference.

As a general rule, a larger more pronounced rim cud will fetch more than a smaller, subtle cud. A collector at an eBay auction held in 2019 paid an impressive $200 for a 2015-P Jefferson nickel graded MS60 with a rim cud error.

 

Summary

Whether you are new to coin collecting or are familiar with the hobby and want to explore Jefferson nickels, collecting error is a great place to start. From our 2015 nickel errors list, collecting Jefferson nickels can pay off greatly if you know what to look for. We recommend paying more attention to the uncirculated variety—while these have less competition, they are also more valuable. Happy collecting!