Rare 2020 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List With Pictures)

An uncirculated 2020 Jefferson nickel with a double struck and off-center error sold for $2,999 at auction. This 2020 nickel error list covers 16 known varieties, with values ranging from $5 die chips to four-figure double strikes.

Philadelphia and Denver combined for roughly 1.2 billion nickels that year, plus West Point struck its first-ever Jefferson nickels for proof sets. Here is every error worth checking for and what each one actually sells for.

1. 2020 Nickel Die Chip Error (Up to $50)

Die chips form when tiny pieces of the steel die break away under repeated striking pressure. The void left in the die fills with metal during the next strike, creating a raised bump on the finished coin that does not match any intended design element.

On 2020-P nickels, common locations include Jefferson’s nose, chin, and the area around “LIBERTY” on the obverse. Each chip is unique to its specific die and disappears once that die is retired, making every die chip a fingerprint of a particular production run.

Value: Small die chips on circulated 2020 nickels add $5 to $10 over face value. Larger chips in prominent locations — especially on Jefferson’s face — bring $15 to $30 from interested buyers.

Uncirculated examples with dramatic, well-positioned chips can reach $40 to $50 through eBay or specialized error dealers. Die chips are minor errors, so prices stay modest even for strong examples.

How to Identify: Examine Jefferson’s portrait and the reverse lettering under a 10x loupe, looking for raised bumps that do not correspond to any design element. The bump should have the same luster and surface texture as the rest of the coin.

Post-mint damage like glue or solder sits on top of the surface with visible edges. Genuine die chips merge smoothly into the coin because they formed under striking pressure.

Die chips affect only one side. If both sides show anomalies, you may be looking at a different error type entirely.

The fastest confirmation: find a second 2020 nickel from the same mint with an identical bump in the same position, which proves the chip originated on the die.

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2. 2020 Nickel Die Clash Error (Up to $75)

Die clash errors occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other with no planchet between them. The collision transfers ghost impressions from each die onto the other, and every subsequent coin struck by that damaged pair carries faint traces of the opposite side’s design.

On 2020 nickels, you may see a faint outline of Monticello’s columns behind Jefferson’s head on the obverse. On the reverse, Jefferson’s profile can appear as ghost lines in the field below Monticello’s steps, transferred in predictable locations based on die geometry.

Value: Circulated 2020 die clash nickels sell for $5 to $15 on eBay depending on ghost image clarity. Strong clashes with easily visible design transfers in higher grades push into the $25 to $50 range.

Exceptional examples with dramatic clash marks on uncirculated specimens can reach $50 to $75. No major auction house has featured a 2020 nickel die clash as a standalone lot.

How to Identify: Tilt the coin under a desk lamp at a low angle and examine the flat field areas between design elements. Ghost impressions from die clashes appear as faint incuse marks in the fields, not on the raised design features.

On the obverse, check behind Jefferson’s head for traces of Monticello’s architecture. On the reverse, look below the steps for hints of Jefferson’s profile.

Do not confuse die clashes with machine doubling, which appears on raised features rather than in the fields. Contact marks from handling are random, while clash marks follow consistent geometric patterns.

The fastest test: check whether the ghost image matches the geometry of the opposite die’s design. If the shape corresponds to a known feature from the other side, it is a clash.

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3. 2020 Nickel Lamination Error (Up to $75)

Lamination errors occur when the nickel alloy — 75% copper, 25% nickel — develops internal weaknesses during planchet preparation. Air pockets, impurities, or poor bonding between metal layers cause the surface to crack, bubble, or peel under striking pressure without fully separating from the coin.

The result looks like a flaky patch or split in the metal, distinct from a missing clad layer where an entire bonded layer detaches. On 2020 nickels, lamination flaws tend to appear near high-relief areas like Jefferson’s hair or Monticello’s dome, where striking pressure concentrates most heavily.

Value: Small lamination flaws on circulated 2020 nickels sell for $5 to $15 on eBay. Larger peels covering significant surface area, particularly in visible locations on Jefferson’s portrait, bring $20 to $40.

Uncirculated examples with dramatic, clearly defined lamination flaps can reach $50 to $75 among specialized error collectors. These remain primarily an eBay market item with no major auction appearances for 2020 specimens.

How to Identify: Look for areas where the metal surface appears split, raised, or peeling like a blister. The affected area should match the surrounding color, unlike corrosion which typically discolors the surface.

Run your fingernail across the suspected area — a genuine lamination flaw has a raised edge you can catch. Under a 10x loupe, the exposed underlayer may show a slightly different texture but remains metallic.

Weigh the coin on a digital scale — a standard 2020 nickel weighs 5.000 grams. A lamination error should weigh very close to standard since minimal metal is actually lost.

The fastest distinction: genuine lamination flaws follow the metal’s internal structure with smooth edges, while post-mint gouges leave rough marks with displaced metal.

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4. 2020 Nickel Clipped Planchet Error (Up to $75)

Clipped planchet errors happen when the blanking press fails to feed the metal strip properly, punching out a disc that overlaps a previously cut hole or the strip’s edge. The resulting blank is missing a crescent-shaped or straight-edged section before it ever reaches the striking dies.

On 2020 nickels, clips range from barely noticeable 5% crescents to dramatic 25%-plus chunks. The rim directly opposite the clip often shows the Blakesley Effect — a flat, poorly formed area caused by the missing metal affecting pressure distribution during striking.

Value: Small clips removing 5% to 10% of the planchet add $5 to $15 in circulated condition. Moderate clips of 10% to 25% sell for $20 to $40, with more dramatic removals approaching the higher end.

Large clips of 25% or greater on uncirculated 2020 nickels can reach $50 to $75. Multiple clips on a single coin are rarer and command additional premiums from error specialists.

How to Identify: Check the coin’s edge for any missing sections. Curved clips appear as smooth, arc-shaped cutouts from the blanking die, while straight clips have flat, linear edges where the strip boundary was.

Verify that the missing area has smooth edges from the punching process. Post-mint damage leaves rough, jagged edges with displaced metal — that is the critical difference.

Weigh the coin, since a clipped nickel will be lighter than 5.000 grams proportional to the missing metal. Measure the diameter with calipers at the clip point versus a normal axis.

The fastest confirmation: check for the Blakesley Effect directly opposite the clip. If the rim there is weak or flattened, the clip occurred at the mint.

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5. 2020 Nickel Missing Clad Layer Error (Up to $75)

Jefferson nickels use a copper core bonded between two cupronickel alloy layers. When one layer fails to bond properly during planchet preparation, the striking die presses the design directly into exposed copper on that side, creating a two-toned coin.

The copper side still shows the full design with sharp struck details — it was never clad in the first place, not worn through from circulation. On 2020 nickels, the color contrast between the normal silver side and the exposed copper side is immediately obvious.

Value: Circulated 2020 nickels with a missing clad layer sell for $20 to $35 on eBay. Coins with dramatic color contrast where the copper is fully exposed bring $40 to $50.

Uncirculated examples with crisp design details on the copper side can reach $50 to $75. PCGS and NGC will authenticate and encapsulate these errors, adding resale value for stronger specimens.

How to Identify: Look for one side that appears distinctly copper-colored while the other retains normal silvery nickel coloring. The copper side should show complete, sharp design details struck into the core.

Examine the edge — normal nickels show a uniform alloy edge, while missing clad layer errors show an asymmetrical cross-section with copper visible on the affected side.

Weigh the coin on a digital scale. A standard nickel weighs 5.000 grams, and a missing clad layer reduces this by roughly 0.5 to 1.0 grams.

Genuine errors show sharp design details on the copper, while chemically stripped coins look pitted and rough. Weight plus sharp detail on the copper side is the fastest confirmation.

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6. 2020 Nickel Die Crack Error (Up to $100)

Die cracks develop as steel dies fatigue from striking thousands of coins at high pressure, and the resulting cracks transfer as raised lines onto every subsequent coin. On 2020 nickels, cracks commonly radiate from the rim toward the center, passing through Jefferson’s portrait or the lettering.

Larger cracks can develop into cuds — when a section of the die at the rim breaks away entirely, leaving a featureless raised blob at the coin’s edge. Cuds are rarer and significantly more valuable than standard die cracks.

Value: Minor die cracks on circulated 2020 nickels add $5 to $15 to the coin’s value. Bold, easily visible cracks in prominent locations sell for $20 to $40 at eBay or dealer prices.

Major cud errors at the rim can reach $50 to $100 depending on the size and location of the break. A cud that disrupts a significant portion of the design or lettering commands the strongest premiums.

How to Identify: Examine the coin’s surface under a 10x loupe for raised lines that run across the design in paths not matching the intended artwork. Die cracks have the same luster and surface texture as the rest of the coin.

The critical distinction: die cracks are raised above the surface, while scratches from circulation are incised into it. Raised means die crack; incised and shiny means post-mint scratch.

For cuds, check the rim for large, smooth, featureless raised areas where the broken die could no longer impart design detail.

The fastest confirmation: if the raised line has the same surface finish as the coin and extends in a consistent path from rim inward, it is a die crack.

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7. 2020 Nickel Off-Center Strike Error (Up to $100)

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet is not seated correctly between the dies during striking, leaving part of the design missing while exposing blank planchet metal on the opposite side. The degree of misalignment determines both the visual drama and the price collectors will pay.

On 2020 nickels, the sweet spot is 20% to 50% off-center with the full date “2020” and mint mark still readable. This combination confirms the coin’s year and origin for authentication purposes while displaying a dramatically incomplete design that catches the eye.

Value: Minor off-center strikes of 5% to 15% on circulated 2020 nickels sell for $10 to $25. Strikes that are 20% to 35% off-center bring $25 to $50 depending on condition and date visibility.

Dramatic 50%-plus off-center strikes with a readable date can reach $50 to $100. The date must remain visible for full value — undatable off-center nickels trade at significant discounts.

How to Identify: Look for design elements cut off at one edge while blank planchet metal shows on the opposite side. The blank area should be smooth with the coin’s natural metal color and zero design detail.

Check whether “2020” and the mint mark remain legible. Estimate the percentage off-center by measuring how much of the design is missing against the full diameter.

Weigh it — an off-center struck nickel should still weigh the standard 5.000 grams since no metal was removed. The coin may appear slightly oval rather than perfectly round.

The fastest way to distinguish from a broadstrike: off-center strikes show blank metal on one side only, while broadstrikes expand evenly in all directions.

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8. 2020 Nickel Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Error (Up to $150)

The 2020-P nickel is a standout year for reverse doubled dies — Wexler and Variety Vista have cataloged at least 37 different DDR varieties for 2020-P alone. These errors occur during die production when the hub impresses the design with slight misalignment between impressions.

The star variety is WDDR-006, designated as Class VI distended hub doubling, showing bold extra thickness on Monticello’s columns and the letters “TICELLO.” Diagnostic die markers include a gouge above the dome and another near the “N” in MONTICELLO.

Value: Minor Class VIII tilted hub DDR varieties, including the “tilted door” subtypes, sell for $5 to $30 depending on doubling strength. These require magnification to detect and trade primarily on eBay.

WDDR-006 sells for $50 to $150 in higher grades and attracts variety specialists who actively search bank rolls for it. PCGS and NGC will attribute specific WDDR numbers on the holder, adding resale value.

How to Identify: Start on the reverse with a 10x loupe. For WDDR-006, look for extra thickness on Monticello’s central columns and the letters “TICELLO” that appear bolder than normal.

Confirm the die marriage using diagnostic markers: a die gouge above the dome’s left side and a second gouge near the lower right of the “N” in MONTICELLO. These gouges are specific to WDDR-006.

For tilted door varieties, examine the central doorframe for shelf-like doubling on its left edge. A die gouge below Jefferson’s ear on the obverse confirms many Class VIII varieties.

The fastest first check: if Monticello’s columns look unusually thick compared to a normal 2020 nickel, you may have WDDR-006. Verify with the die markers before submitting.

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9. 2020 Nickel Strike-Through Error (Up to $200)

Strike-through errors happen when a foreign object — wire, grease, fabric, or metal shavings — gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. The object blocks part of the die impression, leaving a flattened, smeared, or imprinted area on the finished coin.

Grease-filled dies produce smooth, featureless patches where design details should be. Wire fragments leave thin, depressed lines, and fabric creates textured impressions.

On 2020 nickels, grease fill errors are the most commonly reported type, often obscuring portions of Jefferson’s hair or Monticello’s architectural details.

Value: Minor grease-filled strike-throughs on circulated 2020 nickels sell for $10 to $25 on eBay. Clearly defined strike-throughs with visible foreign object impressions on Jefferson’s portrait bring $50 to $80 from error collectors.

Dramatic examples where the foreign object remains embedded in the coin or where large design portions are obscured can reach $150 to $200. Retained strike-throughs with the object still physically attached command the strongest premiums in this category.

How to Identify: Look for areas that appear abnormally smooth, flattened, or textured in a way that does not match the intended design. The affected area should have the same patina and color as the rest of the coin.

Post-mint scratches break the original surface with displaced metal along their edges, which looks different from a struck-in impression. Check the depth — genuine strike-throughs show shallow, uniform depressions consistent with minting pressure.

Random dents from post-mint damage are deeper on one end with irregular profiles. Tilt the coin at multiple angles to reveal subtle texture changes.

The fastest test: if the affected area shows undisturbed original surface luster within the impression, it occurred at the mint.

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10. 2020 Nickel Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Error (Up to $200)

DDO errors affect the high-visibility side — Jefferson’s portrait, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date “2020.” When the hub creates the working die with misaligned impressions, every coin from that die shows doubling on these elements.

On 2020 nickels, doubling appears most prominently in “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” as a shadow or echo effect. One important caveat: there are no confirmed major DDO varieties involving dramatic date doubling, so flat shelf-like doubling on “2020” is almost certainly worthless machine doubling.

Value: Circulated 2020 DDO nickels with visible doubling on the motto or “LIBERTY” sell for $20 to $50 on eBay. Uncirculated examples with strong, clearly separated doubling in multiple locations bring $80 to $150 at auction.

The strongest DDO specimens showing dramatic doubling across several design elements can reach $150 to $200 when professionally graded. PCGS or NGC authentication significantly increases resale value and buyer confidence for these varieties.

How to Identify: Examine “IN GOD WE TRUST” letter by letter with a 10x loupe, looking for crisp secondary images with clear separation from the primary strike. Check “LIBERTY” next, paying attention to serif edges.

True doubled die errors produce sharp, defined secondary images with notched separation. Machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like smearing with no definition — mushy rather than crisp.

Study Jefferson’s profile for doubling in the hair, nose, or jawline — rarer than lettering doubles but more valuable when present.

The fastest first check: if the doubling on letters looks crisp and clearly offset like a shadow, pursue authentication. If it looks flat and smeared, it is machine doubling.

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11. 2020 Nickel Overstrike Error (Up to $200)

Overstrike errors occur when a previously struck coin gets fed back into the press and receives a second strike from a different die pair. The new design impresses over the existing one, creating ghost images of the underlying coin visible beneath the primary strike.

This became more common after the 2004 Jefferson nickel design change, when older-design coins occasionally circulated back through the mint’s coin supply. On 2020 nickels, you might see remnants of a prior-year date — particularly digits from “2004” — visible beneath “2020.”

Value: Circulated 2020 overstrike nickels with subtle underlying design traces sell for $20 to $50 depending on ghost image visibility. Clear examples where the underlying date or portrait is easily identified bring $75 to $125 at eBay or dealer prices.

Dramatic overstrikes with obvious dual designs visible without magnification can reach $150 to $200. The more recognizable the underlying coin’s features, the stronger the premium among error specialists.

How to Identify: Focus on the date area first — underlying digits most commonly show through here. Look for ghost numbers beneath or alongside “2020” that suggest a different year.

Tilt the coin under bright light at various angles, since ghost images from the understrike often become visible only at specific angles. Check Jefferson’s portrait for any shadow that does not match the current forward-facing design.

Use magnification to examine Monticello for overlapping architectural elements from a prior strike visible in the columns or steps.

The fastest confirmation: recognizable design elements from a different year or design type beneath the 2020 strike, consistent across the coin, indicate an overstrike.

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12. 2020 Nickel Broadstruck Error (Up to $250)

Broadstruck errors happen when the retaining collar fails to deploy during striking, allowing the planchet metal to spread outward freely under full press pressure. Without the collar constraining it, the coin expands well beyond the standard 21.21mm diameter, producing a larger, thinner piece with no defined rim.

The design appears on both sides but looks slightly stretched radially from center. On 2020 nickels, broadstrikes can be centered with full design or off-center where the planchet also shifted, and centered examples are preferred by collectors.

Value: Centered broadstruck 2020 nickels with full design sell for $30 to $75 on eBay. Off-center broadstrikes showing significant expansion bring $50 to $125 depending on visual drama.

Dramatic broadstrikes with major diameter increases can reach $150 to $250. A 2011-P broadstruck Jefferson nickel graded MS-60 sold for $1,200 at Heritage Auctions, showing the potential ceiling for exceptional modern nickel broadstrikes.

How to Identify: Measure the coin’s diameter with calipers — a standard nickel is 21.21mm, and broadstrikes typically measure 22mm to 24mm or more. The size difference is often visible to the naked eye when placed next to a normal nickel.

Check the edge — normal nickels have a plain, smooth edge with a defined rim, while broadstruck examples show no rim definition at all and the edge appears stretched or irregular.

The design should be complete but slightly expanded radially from center. If large portions of the design are missing, you likely have an off-center strike instead, not a broadstrike.

Weigh the coin — it should still be 5.000 grams since no metal was removed, just spread thinner. The fastest confirmation: no rim plus a measurably larger diameter, together, are unique to broadstrikes.

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13. 2020 Nickel Improperly Annealed Planchet Error (Up to $400)

Before striking, planchets are heated in an annealing furnace to soften the metal for stamping, then washed and dried in a controlled process. When the temperature or exposure time goes wrong, copper molecules in the alloy oxidize and create abnormal coloring that bleeds through the thin nickel surface.

The result is patches of red, black, purple, or multicolored toning visible on the coin, with the nickel layer remaining physically intact. This differs from a missing clad layer error where the outer nickel is physically absent from one side.

Value: Circulated 2020 nickels with annealing errors sell for $35 to $120 depending on the intensity and coverage of the discoloration. Minor color patches bring the lower end of that range.

Uncirculated examples with dramatic, full-coverage color variations can reach $200 to $400 on the open market. The more vivid and extensive the coloring, the stronger the demand from error specialists.

How to Identify: Look for unusual red, black, or purple patches that appear to come from beneath the surface rather than sitting on top. The discoloration should look embedded in the metal, not externally applied.

The coin’s surface texture should remain smooth and normal. If it feels corroded, rough, or pitted, you are looking at environmental damage rather than an annealing error.

Post-mint toning from storage conditions creates similar colors but affects the outer surface in patterns tied to how the coin was stored. Genuine annealing errors show color radiating from within the alloy itself.

The fastest distinction: embedded color plus a smooth, undamaged surface equals an annealing error. Rough surface plus external discoloration equals environmental damage.

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14. 2020 Nickel Brockage Error (Up to $800)

Brockage errors happen when a previously struck coin fails to eject from the press and remains stuck to one die face. The next planchet enters the chamber and gets struck normally on one side but receives a mirror-image, incuse impression from the stuck coin on the other.

Letters read backwards, Jefferson’s portrait becomes a depression, and all raised features turn incuse. Brockages are among the most visually dramatic errors on any denomination and are uncommon on modern nickels because automated ejection systems usually catch and remove stuck coins before they cause damage.

Value: Partial brockages on circulated Jefferson nickels sell for $50 to $200 depending on how much of the mirror image is visible and how sharp the incuse details are. Full brockages with complete impressions bring $300 to $600.

Exceptional examples on uncirculated nickels with fully detailed mirror images can reach $600 to $800 at auction or through specialized dealers. Automated quality controls make modern brockages genuinely scarce, which supports their pricing.

How to Identify: Examine both sides. One shows the normal raised design, and the other displays a mirror image where everything is reversed and sunken.

Hold the incuse side up to a mirror — the text should read correctly in the reflection. Use a 10x loupe to verify incuse details are sharp and well-defined, as depth and clarity directly affect value.

All incuse elements should be consistent in depth. If some areas are sunken while others remain raised, you may have a die clash or post-mint alteration instead.

The fastest confirmation: one entire side showing reversed, incuse text is unique to brockage errors and cannot be replicated by any other minting process.

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15. 2020 Nickel Wrong Planchet Error (Up to $1,500)

Wrong planchet errors happen when a blank intended for one denomination gets fed into a press equipped with dies for another denomination entirely. A nickel die striking a cent planchet produces a smaller, copper-colored coin bearing Jefferson’s portrait with a visibly cramped design.

Since the die collar is sized for nickels at 21.21mm, only planchets of similar or smaller size can physically enter the press. Cent planchets at 19mm and dime planchets at 17.91mm both fit, making these the two most plausible wrong planchet combinations for Jefferson nickels.

Value: Based on comparable Jefferson nickel wrong planchet records, specimens on cent planchets sell for $500 to $1,000 depending on condition. 1970s-era Jefferson nickel proof errors on cent or dime planchets have sold for $3,000 to $4,000 according to Mint Error News.

Modern business strike 2020 examples would likely command $500 to $1,500 when professionally authenticated. PCGS or NGC certification is mandatory at this value level.

How to Identify: Weigh the coin — this is the definitive test. A normal nickel weighs 5.000 grams, a cent planchet weighs 2.5 grams, and a dime planchet weighs 2.268 grams.

Check size and color. A nickel on a cent planchet shows copper coloring and measures 19mm versus the standard 21.21mm, with the design appearing cramped on the smaller blank.

Examine the edge — a cent planchet has a plain copper edge, while a dime planchet shows a clad sandwich. Neither matches a standard nickel’s solid cupronickel edge.

A nickel weighing 2.5 grams instead of 5.0 grams is the fastest flag. Size and color narrow it from there.

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16. 2020 Nickel Double Struck Error (Up to $3,000)

Double struck errors are the headliners of the 2020 nickel series, occurring when a coin fails to eject and receives a second blow from the dies. The result is two overlapping complete impressions on a single planchet.

The second strike often lands off-center because the coin shifts between impacts, producing two complete but overlapping Jeffersons and two Monticellos across the surface. Modern mints have automated ejection systems that should prevent this, which is why double strikes on post-2000 coins are exceptionally rare.

Value: Circulated 2020 double struck nickels with moderate displacement start at $200 to $500 depending on the degree of offset between strikes. Greater displacement with two clearly distinct design impressions commands stronger premiums from error specialists.

One uncirculated 2020 Jefferson nickel combining a double strike with an off-center error sold for $2,999 on eBay, making it one of the highest-priced modern Jefferson nickel errors on record.

How to Identify: Look for complete doubling of the entire design — both Jefferson’s portrait and Monticello should appear twice in overlapping but offset positions. This distinguishes a double strike from a doubled die, which shows subtle element-level doubling from a single strike.

Check the rim for evidence of two separate strikes, such as doubling, distortion, or a shelf-like secondary rim from the second impact. The coin may appear thicker or slightly irregular in shape.

Weigh the coin — a true double strike should weigh 5.000 grams since no extra metal was added. If significantly heavier, you may have a bonded pair.

The fastest confirmation: two complete, clearly offset design impressions on both sides of a single coin. No other error produces this effect.

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Conclusion

The 2020 Jefferson nickel error market ranges from $5 die chips to a recorded $2,999 double strike. Most circulated errors fall in the $10 to $75 range, accessible at any budget level.

The serious money sits with DDR variety WDDR-006 around $150, improperly annealed specimens approaching $400, and the big three — brockages, wrong planchets, and double strikes — where four-figure prices are realistic. Weigh your coins, check the reverses, and keep a loupe handy.