2003 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

If you’ve found a 2003 nickel and are curious about its worth, you’re in the right place to learn about 2003 nickel value.

Most circulated 2003 nickels are worth face value, as millions were produced at both Philadelphia and Denver mints. However, uncirculated examples typically range from $0.30 to $1.23, with certain varieties offering more.

Full Steps specimens—where all six Monticello staircase lines show clear separation—can reach $18 to $33 in mint state condition. Proof coins from San Francisco average around $4.78, while error coins occasionally command premium prices.

Understanding what affects your coin’s value helps you determine whether you’ve found standard pocket change or something worth setting aside for your collection.

 

2003 Nickel Value By Variety

“This chart presents the market values of 2003 nickels across different mint marks and condition grades, with prices ranging from pocket change for worn specimens to several dollars for well-preserved examples and proof strikes.”

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

 

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money List (1938-Present)

  

Top 10 Most Valuable 2003 Nickel Worth Money

Based on the chart data, the 2003 Jefferson nickel value distribution exhibits a significant grading differential structure.

Among the ten highest-value coins displayed in the chart, the 2003-P MS68 and 2003-S PR70 lead at $1,058 each, while the third-ranked 2003-D MS66 stands at only $138, revealing a 667% price gap between top-tier and secondary grades.

The core driver of this price structure is population scarcity. In the Sheldon 70-point grading system, MS68 requires nearly perfect coin surfaces with minimal contact marks visible only under magnification, while maintaining full original luster.

For circulation coins, achieving MS68 or MS69 grades is exceptionally rare, as most modern circulation coins typically grade no higher than MS67.

Third-party grading services document the total number of certified coins at each grade level through population reports, and this empirical data directly influences market pricing.

Jefferson nickels are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, an alloy whose hardness, combined with die wear, makes high-quality strikes difficult to achieve. The price jump from $75-90 for MS67 to $1,058 for MS68 in the chart reflects the scarcity premium of top-graded coins in registry set competition.

Proof coins (PR70) are manufactured using specially polished planchets and multiple striking processes, creating mirror-like fields and frosted design elements.

Common circulated 2003 nickels range in value from face value to approximately $1.23, forming a multiplier differential of approximately 21,000% compared to top-graded specimens, demonstrating the pricing mechanism of condition scarcity in the numismatic market.

 

History of the 2003 Nickel

The 2003 Jefferson nickel was the last coin to carry the classic design pairing that had been in production since 1938: Felix Schlag’s side profile of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse.

In June 2002, Mint officials wanted to redesign the nickel to honor the upcoming bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They contacted Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, who had concerns about removing Monticello from the coin. Cantor sponsored legislation that would allow the Mint to strike different designs in 2004 and 2005, with Monticello returning in 2006.

The American 5-Cent Coin Design Continuity Act of 2003 was signed into law on April 23, 2003. Under its terms, the Treasury Secretary could vary the nickel’s designs to honor the 200th anniversary of the Expedition and the Louisiana Purchase, but the coin would feature Jefferson and Monticello again starting in 2006.

In November 2003, the Mint announced the first two reverse designs for 2004: an Indian Peace Medal design by Norman Nemeth and a keelboat design by Alfred Maletsky, both to be paired with Schlag’s original obverse. The 2005 nickels presented a new image of Jefferson designed by Joe Fitzgerald, based on Houdon’s bust.

In 2006, both subjects returned to the coin, but with modifications. Jefferson appeared in a forward-facing portrait by Jamie Franki, and the Monticello reverse was updated with Schlag’s initials relocated. This meant that while 2003 was the last year of the original classic design, the design itself never returned in its exact original form.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money

 

Is your 2003 Nickel rare?

Track your 2003 nickel’s value across all mint marks and grades, from standard MS to Full Steps (FS) and Proof DCAM varieties, using the CoinValueChecker App for real-time pricing and rarity rankings.

 

Key Features of the 2003 Nickel

The 2003 Nickel is part of the Jefferson nickel series designed by Felix Schlag. These coins feature the standard composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, maintaining the traditional alloy that had been restored after the wartime silver composition ended in 1945.

The 2003 nickel holds special significance as the final year of the classic Jefferson nickel design that had been in continuous use since 1938, before the Westward Journey Nickel series launched in 2004.

The Obverse of the 2003 Nickel

The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson wearing a coat with a wide collar, his hair styled in a low ponytail.

“LIBERTY” curves along the right rim with a small centered five-pointed star separating it from the date. “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears on the left side in front of the portrait. The date “2003” sits below the portrait.

The designer’s initials “FS” for Felix Schlag appear on Jefferson’s shoulder near the rim of the obverse in small letters, added in 1966. The mint mark is positioned on the obverse below the date, where it has been located since 1968—”P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco. Philadelphia began using the “P” mint mark on all nickels starting in 1980.

The Reverse of the 2003 Nickel

The reverse displays Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia plantation home, shown in frontal perspective with its neoclassical dome and columned portico.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears above the building, while “MONTICELLO,” “FIVE CENTS,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are inscribed below.

Coins displaying “Full Steps” (5FS or 6FS)—where all five or six steps leading to Monticello’s entrance remain sharply defined—are highly prized.

Other Features of the 2003 Nickel

The 2003 Jefferson nickel marks the final year of the original design before the 2004-2005 Westward Journey redesign.

The coin measures 21.20 millimeters in diameter, weighs 5.00 grams, and features a plain smooth edge. Production included 441,840,000 pieces from Philadelphia, 383,040,000 from Denver, and approximately 3,298,439 proofs from San Francisco.

While circulated examples remain common due to high mintage, top-grade specimens with Full Steps designation—showing complete strike detail on Monticello’s steps—command significant premiums in the collector market, making them valuable targets for registry set builders and Jefferson nickel specialists.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Nickels Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

2003 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 2003 Jefferson Nickel was produced at three United States Mint facilities, with Philadelphia leading production at 441,840,000 business strike nickels, followed by Denver at 383,040,000 coins.

The San Francisco Mint produced approximately 3,298,439 proof coins in Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish exclusively for collectors. The combined business strike mintage exceeded 824 million coins, making the 2003 nickel extremely common in circulation and representing the standard distribution pattern for modern circulation nickels.

However, the survival data reveals a fundamental divide between business strikes and proof coins. While business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver show “unknown” survival rates and populations in historical records, the San Francisco proof coins demonstrate a remarkable 99% survival rate, with 3,265,454 of the original 3,298,439 coins accounted for.

This represents the loss of only about 33,000 proof coins over two decades, a stark contrast to the complete lack of documentation for the hundreds of millions of business strikes produced.

This dramatic disparity exists because proof coins are carefully handled from production through ownership, going directly into collections rather than circulation, while business strikes are produced for commerce and subjected to rough handling during distribution, with coins often shipped loose in bags to banks where they experience rough handling by non-collectors.

Most business strike nickels from 2003 remain in circulation, are lost, damaged, or discarded, making precise survival estimates impossible to determine. The pie chart’s visual dominance by proof coins reflects not their actual population advantage, but rather the dramatically superior preservation and tracking of collector coins.

While circulated 2003 nickels remain very common, the business strikes become scarce in high grades like MS66 or MS67, especially with Full Steps designation, as few were preserved in pristine condition when originally produced for everyday commerce.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2003 Nicke Value

The value of your 2003 nickel depends on three primary factors: condition, mint mark, and strike quality.

The critical distinction lies between circulated and mint state coins. Circulated examples show wear on high points like Jefferson’s cheekbone and collar, with dulled luster and smoothed surfaces. Mint state coins retain original luster across all surfaces, particularly on Jefferson’s collar and the columns of Monticello, with sharp details throughout.

Most circulated 2003 nickels from Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) are worth face value, while uncirculated examples can reach approximately $1.23. Proof coins from San Francisco command slightly higher premiums.

The Full Steps designation—where all steps leading to Monticello’s entrance remain sharply defined—significantly increases value but remains rare due to typical striking weakness.

Professional grading examines specific areas for wear traces: on the obverse, Jefferson’s cheekbone and hair details; on the reverse, the beam above the pillars and the triangular roof. Higher grades display minimal wear with substantial luster, while lower grades show heavier wear with flattened details.

CoinValueChecker App provides instant valuations through image recognition technology that analyzes wear patterns and assigns grades from Poor to Mint State, maintaining 99% recognition accuracy across over 300,000 coin types while identifying error coins and rare varieties.

 

2003 Nicke Value Guides

• 2003-P Nickel (Philadelphia Mint)
• 2003-D Nickel (Denver Mint)
• 2003-S Proof DCAM Nickel (San Francisco Mint)

Since 1970, all nickels for circulation have been minted at Philadelphia and Denver facilities, while San Francisco exclusively produces proof coins for collectors. The 2003 Philadelphia and Denver nickels were offered through two-roll sets and bags, featuring circulation quality coins struck on main production floors and shipped directly to customers.

These business strikes entered commerce through banks and remain readily available in pocket change today. In contrast, 2003-S nickels were struck only as proof coins, produced with specialized dies and enhanced striking techniques to create mirror-like surfaces with frosted design elements. Proof coins were sold exclusively through collector sets and never intended for circulation, resulting in superior preservation compared to their business strike counterparts.

The fundamental difference lies in purpose: P and D mint coins serve monetary function while S mint proofs target numismatic markets, creating distinct value trajectories and collector appeal for each category.

 

2003-P Nickel Value

The 2003-P Jefferson Nickel represents the final year of the original design before the series transitioned to the Westward Journey commemorative issues in 2004. With 441,840,000 pieces minted, circulated examples remain abundant at face value.

The value proposition centers on condition scarcity rather than mintage rarity. Full Steps specimens, where Monticello’s five or six steps display complete, unbroken horizontal lines, prove significantly scarcer than standard strikes due to the copper-nickel composition’s resistance to sharp detail.

High-grade examples become increasingly difficult to locate above MS65, with MS67 representing genuine scarcity and MS68 specimens extremely rare. The auction record stands at $1,058 for an MS68 specimen sold in November 2013, establishing the ceiling for this date.

Standard uncirculated pieces without Full Steps trade modestly from $0.30 to $1.23 in typical grades, while Full Steps designation commands substantial premiums. The coin’s market position reflects its role as a date-set completion piece and the final example of the classic design, creating consistent collector interest for properly struck specimens. 

The auction record chart below tracks realized prices across different grade levels and strike qualities.

Market activity data reveals steady collector engagement for this final-year design throughout the secondary market.

 

2003-D Nickel Value

The 2003-D Jefferson Nickel presents an interesting study in rarity based on condition. With a mintage of 383,040,000 pieces, this coin circulated widely and remains accessible to collectors. The coin appears commonly in circulated grades up to MS65 condition, making entry-level collecting straightforward.

Value ranges shift based on grade and strike quality. Circulated examples trade at face value, while mint state specimens range from approximately $0.30 to $1.25.

The key differentiator lies in the Full Steps designation—when all six steps of the Monticello building on the reverse show complete, clear detail. Certified MS66 Full Steps examples can exceed $100, representing a significant premium over standard strikes.

Scarcity increases at higher grades. MS66 condition becomes scarce, particularly with Full Steps designation, while MS67 examples with or without Full Steps are extremely scarce.

This grading distribution creates collecting challenges—while obtaining circulated or lower uncirculated examples requires minimal effort, securing high-grade Full Steps specimens demands patience and budget consideration.

Within the Jefferson Nickel series spanning 1938 to present, the 2003-D represents the final year of the original design before the 2004 Westward Journey redesigns. The auction record stands at $138.05 for an MS66 specimen sold in June 2016, establishing a benchmark for premium examples.

For collectors building Jefferson Nickel sets, the 2003-D fills a standard position without the premium associated with key dates like the 1950-D or specialty varieties.

You can track how this coin has performed in the marketplace by checking the auction record chart below.

Current market activity data shows trading patterns and collector interest levels for the 2003-D nickel.

 

2003-S Proof DCAM Nickel Value

Produced at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 3,298,439, the 2003-S Proof Jefferson Nickel demonstrates the technical precision achieved in modern proof production.

Most examples grade between PR68-PR70 Deep Cameo, featuring the distinctive frosted devices contrasting against deeply mirrored fields that define superior proof finishes.

The coin’s value structure reflects strong collector demand for premium grades. Market values begin around $2-3 for raw proofs and reach $10 for certified PR69 DCAM specimens. At the apex, PR70 DCAM examples—representing flawless certified quality—command significant premiums.

The auction record of $1,058 for a PR70 specimen in July 2013 demonstrates the valuation potential for top-grade examples. Current PR70 DCAM pieces trade around $112, establishing this grade tier as the most collectible category within the issue.

Within proof Jefferson collecting, grade differentiation drives value. The concentration of examples in the PR68-70 range creates an active market where condition standards remain high. Collectors pursuing registry sets or complete proof runs seek certified top-tier specimens, supporting consistent demand for PR70 DCAM coins.

The auction record chart below tracks price performance across different grades and time periods.

Market activity data reflects current collector interest and transaction frequency for the 2003-S proof nickel.

Also Read: 22 Rare Nickel Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 2003 Nickel Error List

While millions of 2003 Jefferson Nickels entered circulation from Philadelphia and Denver mints, minting errors transform ordinary five-cent pieces into collectible rarities. Production anomalies during the striking process create unique variations that collectors actively pursue.

Error coins stand apart from standard issues through visible manufacturing defects—misalignments, foreign material interference, or die malfunctions—that occurred at the mint.

These mistakes, once quality control oversights, now represent opportunities for collectors to acquire distinctive pieces. Values vary significantly based on error type, severity, and overall coin condition, with some examples commanding hundreds to thousands of dollars at auction.

1. 2003 Struck ThroughError

Struck-through errors occur when foreign material—grease, cloth fragments, metal debris, or other contaminants—obstructs the dies during striking.

This interference prevents complete design transfer to the planchet, resulting in weak, missing, or incomplete details where the obstruction blocked contact. Grease-filled struck-throughs are particularly common, as excess lubricant accumulates in die recesses and creates areas where design elements appear faint or absent.

The error’s visual impact varies with obstruction size and location—larger obstructions affecting major design elements like Jefferson’s portrait or Monticello typically generate stronger collector interest. Authentication requires distinguishing genuine mint-state struck-throughs from post-mint damage or wear patterns that might mimic similar appearance.

2. 2003 Off-Center Error

Off-center strikes result from planchet-die misalignment during striking, causing partial design transfer and leaving blank areas on the coin.

The error’s severity determines value—percentage of displacement directly correlates with collector demand. Coins with greater displacement command higher values than minor off-center strikes, such as 30% misalignment versus 5% displacement.

Date visibility enhances worth significantly, as readable dates enable proper attribution and confirmation of the error’s authenticity. The blank crescent area contrasts dramatically with struck portions, creating the error’s distinctive appearance that makes authentication straightforward for collectors.

 

Where to Sell Your 2003 Nickel ?

Whether you choose online marketplaces, local coin dealers, or auction houses, obtaining a professional grade evaluation and researching recent comparable sales will help you achieve fair market value for your 2003 nickel.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

2003 Nickel Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 2003 Nickel

1. How much is a 2003 nickel worth?

Most circulated 2003 nickels are worth face value (5 cents). Uncirculated examples range from $0.30 to $1.25, with MS66 Full Steps specimens valued over $100. Proof versions (2003-S) typically sell for $2-10, while PR70 DCAM examples can reach $112 or more.

2. What makes a 2003 nickel valuable?

Value increases with grade, Full Steps designation (clear Monticello staircase details), and mint errors. The 2003-S proof in PR70 DCAM condition holds the highest regular-issue value, while error coins like off-center strikes or struck-through errors can command $1,000+.

3. How many 2003 nickels were made?

Philadelphia minted 441,840,000 pieces (2003-P), Denver produced 383,040,000 (2003-D), and San Francisco struck 3,298,439 proofs (2003-S).

4. What is a Full Steps 2003 nickel?

Full Steps (FS) refers to coins where all six steps of Monticello on the reverse are completely defined and separated. This designation indicates superior strike quality and significantly increases collector value.