Rare 2018 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are you considering collecting Jefferson nickel errors and wondering if they are worth anything?

If you know what to look for, nickel errors can be a valuable addition to your collection. After extensive research, we created a 2018 nickel errors list revealing the most popular nickels worth money.

The United States Mint has been producing nickel errors since 1938, so these coins are available by the millions. A circulated 2018 Jefferson nickel is worth between $0.10 and $0.20 while an uncirculated one can sell for as much as $50.

Although Jefferson nickels are only worth their face value, you can build an enviable collection by collecting error coins. Even better, try sourcing for uncirculated errors—these can be worth a premium.

So, are you eager to learn about the best 2018 nickel errors? You will find our 2018 nickel errors list helpful. Let’s jump in and get started!

1. 2018-D Jefferson Nickel Die Chip Beehive Error

The die chip beehive error is arguably the most common in the 2018 Jefferson Nickel series. This error appears as two small protrusions on the left of the Monticello, imitating a beehive.

A die chip error occurs when a small piece of the die falls off, leaving a hole that fills with metal. The metal-filled hole then leaves an impression on the coin’s surface as a tiny raised bump.

In the case of the beehive error on Jefferson nickels, there are two parallel raised bumps, which is quite interesting.

In 2019, a 2018 Jefferson nickel with a die chip beehive error was sold for $15.

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2. 2018-P Jefferson Nickel With Multiple Die Cracks

Die cracks and die chips are somewhat similar in how they are formed but their appearance is slightly different.

A die crack occurs when a crack appears on the surface of the die and fills with metal. The filled-in crack then leaves its impression on the coin’s surface, appearing as a vertical line.

Die cracks can appear on the obverse or reverse of the coin. It is also possible for one coin to present multiple die crack errors but this doesn’t necessarily make it more valuable.

One 2018 Jefferson nickel with multiple die cracks was auctioned for an impressive $799 online in 2020.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

3. 2018-P Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Error

A doubled die is another common error you will find when collecting 2018 Jefferson nickels. This error occurs when there is a misalignment between the dies and the planchet, causing the die to strike the planchet multiple times at different angles. This results in the doubling of the design elements and inscriptions.

Coins with more intense doubling are generally more valuable than ones where the doubling is weak. On Jefferson nickels, doubling may occur on obverse inscriptions such as LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Sometimes, there may also be a doubling in the date or some elements of Jefferson’s portrait.

On the reverse, the image of the Monticello may also show some doubling, but more commonly, you will see doubling on the inscriptions MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A 2018-P Jefferson nickel with a doubled die reverse and obverse error was auctioned in 2019 for $43.

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4. 2018-D Nickel Full Steps Monticello Error

When collecting Jefferson nickels, a prominent feature you will come across is the Full Steps. This is not necessarily an error but it is so rare that collectors consider it an oddity.

The Full Steps phenomenon refers to the Monticello steps, which are complete and visible on uncirculated coins. In fact, one of the best ways to tell if a nickel is in a mint state is to observe the Monticello steps. A mint uncirculated nickel will have full, visible five or six steps.

Typically, Jefferson nickels graded MS68 to MS70 are the ones with Full Steps, and such uncirculated, brilliant nickels are rare. So, you should consider yourself lucky if you come across a Full Steps nickel.

In 2019, a 2018-D nickel graded MS68 with Full Steps sold for an eyewatering $2,500.

 

5. 2018-D Nickel Grease Struck Through Error

A grease struck-through is one type of struck-through error. This error occurs when a foreign element such as dust, debris, or, in this case, grease, comes between the planchet and dies during the striking process.

When the die strikes, the foreign element leaves its impression on the coin’s surface. If grease is present, it can result in the design elements smudging or appearing blurry, resulting in the so-called grease struck-through error.

On some 2018 nickels, you may notice the word FIVE is blurry, a result of a grease-struck error. But, this error is not limited to the inscriptions on the reverse—keep an eye out for nickels with a smudgy appearance either on the obverse or reverse; these might be grease struck-through error coins.

A 2018-D nickel with a grease struck-through was sold at a 2020 auction for $120.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

6. 2018 Nickel Missing Clad Struck on Copper Planchet Error

The Jefferson nickels manufactured in 2018 are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Sometimes, the coin’s outer layer may peel off, exposing the inner copper core. The outer layer may peel off entirely or in patches, resulting in what is known as a missing clad error.

If the entire layer peels off, you will find that one side of the coin is copper and the other is nickel, making for an interesting and odd coin that’s fascinating to collectors.

In 2019, a 2018-P nickel with a missing clad layer was sold for an impressive $155 at an online auction.

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7. 2018-P Jefferson Nickel Off-Center Strike Error

As the name implies, an off-center error is one in which the design elements on the obverse or reverse of the coin are struck away from the coin, instead appearing more toward the left or right edges.

This error may occur due to several reasons, the most common one being a misalignment between the die and planchet. If the planchet is not properly positioned in the collar, the die may strike away from the planchet’s center, resulting in an offset of the design elements.

The value of an off-center strike error will depend on how far off the center the design is struck. The greater the off-strike percentage, the more valuable the coin tends to be.

For example, a coin with a 10% off-strike would generally be more valuable than one with a 3% off-strike error.

A 2018-P nickel with a 10% off-center strike error was auctioned at a 2020 sale for $60.

 

8. 2018-D Jefferson Nickel With a Re-punched Mint Mark

Re-punched mint mark errors are not common in the 2018 Jefferson nickel series but several examples have been discovered. Due to their scarcity, such error coins can be worth good money especially if found in mint, uncirculated condition.

So, what is a re-punched mint mark error? As you might already have guessed, this is an error in which the mint mark is struck two or more times, causing an overlap of the primary and secondary mint marks.

The secondary mint mark is usually thinner and smaller than the first one, so you can see a visible offset, resulting in what is known as a re-punched mint mark error.

Anything from a mal-positioned letter punch to a shifting planchet can result in a re-punched mint mark error. Re-punched mint mark errors are usually not worth much but they can attract a premium price if they are in mint uncirculated condition.

In 2019, an MS65 2018-D Jefferson nickel with a re-punched mint mark was auctioned for $100.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

9. 2018-D Jefferson Nickel With a Rim Cud Error

A rim cud error occurs when a piece of the die’s rim gutter breaks off. When the die strikes the planchet, it creates a raised cud that interrupts the coin’s circumference either on the reverse or obverse.

The value of a die cud error depends on the size of the cud. As a general rule, the larger the cud, the more valuable the coin might be.

A 2018-D Jefferson nickel with a rim cud error was sold for $40 at a 2021 auction.

 

10. 2018-P Annealed Planchet Nickel Error

Copper-nickel coins such as the Jefferson nickels can, sometimes, show undergo improper annealing. Annealing is the process of heating and cooling the planchet to prepare it for striking.

Due to impurities and fluctuations in the heating process, annealing may cause the planchet to change color. An improperly annealed coin can be anything from black to grey and even yellow to purple. But black is the most common color seen on improperly annealed nickels.

Ordinary 2018 Jefferson nickels have a shiny appearance, thanks to the nickel metal component. But ones with an annealing error will appear darker than normal.  

Be careful not to mistake a toned nickel with an improperly annealed one. The latter will typically show some luster around the edges but one that’s toned will not show any kind of luster.

A circulated 2018-P nickel with an annealed planchet error was sold for $50 while another graded MS65 was auctioned for $105.

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Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

Summary

Jefferson nickels may not be as popular as other US coins but this should be a good reason to collect these coins. The low competition, coupled with easy availability means you can build a nice Jefferson collection. And, as you can see from our 2018 nickel errors list, you do not need to break the bank to add unique, high-value error coins to your collection.