2010 Nickel Value (Errors List, “P”, ”D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth)

The 2010 nickel saw combined mintages of 490 million coins from Philadelphia and Denver, making it one of the more common modern Jefferson nickels. Most examples in circulation remain worth face value, but mint state specimens show notable value differences based on strike quality.

Standard 2010-D nickels grade MS 65 typically sell for $3-4, while examples showing Full Steps—complete definition of Monticello’s six horizontal porch lines—command $10-14 in the same grade range. Satin finish varieties from mint sets trade between $6-9 depending on designation.

The market distinguishes sharply between average strikes and well-defined examples, making strike quality the primary value factor for this accessible modern issue.

 

2010 Nickel Value By Variety

This chart shows the estimated values of 2010 U.S. nickels across different mint marks and varieties, graded from Good to Proof condition.

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 2010 Nickel Worth Money

The chart shows significant value disparities among 2010 nickels. The 2010-D 68 tops the list at $999, while the 2010-S PR 70 is valued at only $40 despite being a perfect grade. This occurs because PR 70 proofs are intentionally struck for collectors with quality control, making high grades more common. In contrast, business strikes from circulation were not made with the same precision, so achieving grades 67-68 is exceptionally rare.

For modern coins, rarity determines value more than grade perfection. When thousands of coins achieve PR 69-70, the grade alone doesn’t create scarcity. But when only a handful of business strikes survive in MS 68 condition after years of potential circulation, those become genuinely scarce.

The Denver and Philadelphia versions hold the majority of spots. They produced these nickels for circulation, not collectors. Most coins entered commerce and accumulated wear. The few that remained pristine enough to grade 67-68 survived by chance, creating extreme rarity at these grade levels.

 

History Of The 2010 Nickel

The Jefferson nickel has been in continuous production since 1938, designed by Felix Schlag to honor America’s third president.

The series remained relatively unchanged for decades until 2004-2005, when the U.S. Mint introduced the Westward Journey series to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark expedition.

After this brief redesign period, the nickel returned to a modified version of its traditional design in 2006, which continues today.

The 2010 nickel was struck during a pivotal economic period. The United States was recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, which had triggered the Great Recession.

By 2010, the economy showed signs of stabilization, though unemployment remained high and consumer spending was cautious. This economic uncertainty affected coin collecting as well—while some investors turned to tangible assets, discretionary spending on numismatics remained subdued.

The 2010 nickel represents this transitional moment, minted during a time when Americans were rebuilding financial confidence. Despite being a modern issue with high mintages, certain high-grade examples have become unexpectedly valuable, reflecting how even recent coins can develop collector interest when preservation and grading create genuine scarcity.

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

 

Is Your 2010 Nickel Rare?

Want to know if your 2010 nickel is one of the rare high-grade examples? Use our CoinValueChecker App to instantly check your coin’s grade and current market value. Simply scan your nickel to discover its rarity and potential worth in today’s collector market.

 

Key Features Of The 2010 Nickel

Understanding the physical characteristics of the 2010 nickel helps collectors identify authentic specimens and evaluate their condition. The design elements on both sides of the coin carry specific details that distinguish this modern issue from earlier Jefferson nickels. These features determine how grading services assess the coin’s quality and assign designations that significantly impact value.

The Obverse Of The 2010 Nickel

The front of the 2010 nickel displays Thomas Jefferson in a forward-facing portrait, making it the first U.S. circulating coin to show a president facing forward rather than in profile.

This design by Jamie Franki is based on Rembrandt Peale’s 1800 portrait of Jefferson when he served as Vice President at age 57. Jefferson’s detailed portrait occupies the central and left portion of the coin, made possible by modern minting technology.

All inscriptions are positioned on the right side of the coin. “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears at the upper right. Below that, the word “LIBERTY” is rendered in a distinctive cursive script based on Jefferson’s own handwriting.

The year 2010 sits in the lower right area. The mint mark, when present, is located directly below the date—”P” indicates Philadelphia, “D” indicates Denver, and “S” indicates San Francisco for proof coins.

The Reverse Of The 2010 Nickel

The back of the coin features Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia estate, shown in a straight-on frontal view. This design originated with Felix Schlag in 1938 but was re-engraved in 2006 with sharper detail and greater relief in the dome, balconies, doors, and windows.

The building’s neoclassical architecture is clearly visible, with its distinctive dome and columned entrance portico forming the central image. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears in small letters arching across the top above Monticello.

Below the building, the word “MONTICELLO” is inscribed in a straight line. Beneath that sits “FIVE CENTS” in slightly curved text, followed by “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the bottom edge. The designer’s initials “FS” for Felix Schlag appear in small letters to the right of Monticello, added to this location in 2006 when his original obverse design was replaced.

Other Features Of The 2010 Nickel

The 2010 nickel weighs exactly 5 grams and measures 21.21 millimeters in diameter with a thickness of 1.95 millimeters. The coin’s composition consists of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel, creating its distinctive silver appearance. The edge remains completely smooth without any reeding or lettering.

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

 

2010 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data     

The 2010 nickel production marked a dramatic economic recovery. Combined Philadelphia and Denver mintages reached 490.5 million coins, representing a 466% increase from 2009’s historically low 86.6 million. This surge reflected renewed commercial demand as the economy stabilized after the Great Recession.

San Francisco produced 1.69 million Deep Cameo proof nickels exclusively for collectors. These coins never entered circulation and featured the mirror-like finish characteristic of proof production.

The Satin Finish special strikes from both Philadelphia and Denver each totaled 583,897 coins. These were sold only in special mint sets at premium prices. The burnished planchets and careful handling created a distinctive appearance compared to circulation strikes.

The survival data remains unknown for all categories. Modern coins lack comprehensive population tracking outside professional grading services. This uncertainty applies equally to the high-mintage business strikes and limited collector editions.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2010 Nickel Value

Figuring out your coin’s worth takes real effort. You need to spot the tiny mint mark, judge the condition using grading standards, check if Monticello’s steps are fully visible, then research auction prices and compare data across multiple sources. Most people don’t have the tools or time for all this.

The CoinValueChecker App cuts through all these steps. Just take a photo of your 2010 nickel with your phone. The app’s recognition system instantly identifies the mint mark, evaluates the grade, spots Full Steps characteristics, and delivers current market values based on actual sales data.

Within seconds, you’ll know if you’re holding a common five-cent piece or something worth hundreds of dollars. No expertise needed, no research required—just point, scan, and get your answer.

 

2010 Nickel Value Guides

The U.S. Mint produced five distinct versions of the 2010 nickel, each serving different purposes and targeting different audiences. Understanding these categories helps collectors identify what they have and recognize the significant value differences between circulation strikes and special collector editions.

• 2010-P Nickel
• 2010-D Nickel
• 2010-S DCAM Nickel
• 2010-P Satin Finish Special Strike Nickel
• 2010-D Satin Finish Special Strike Nickel

 

2010-P Nickel Value

With a mintage exceeding 260 million, the 2010-P nickel represents typical mass production of modern coinage. Due to abundant supply, worn specimens carry no collectible premium and hold little interest for serious collectors.

The picture changes with uncirculated grades. While MS-63 to MS-65 examples carry some collectible value, premiums remain modest. The real dividing line emerges at MS-66 and above, particularly for coins designated with Full Steps showing complete stair detail on Monticello.

A top-tier MS-68 Full Steps specimen sold for $376 at a 2016 auction, but this grade is exceptionally rare, with PCGS population reports showing virtually zero certified examples. This scarcity directly drives elevated pricing for high-grade specimens.

For most collectors, this coin serves better as a completeness piece within a Jefferson series rather than a standalone investment—unless you can secure an MS-67 or higher Full Steps example, appreciation potential remains quite limited.

To see how much this coin has historically sold for in different grades, check out the auction history trend chart below.

Judging from the market activities in recent years, the market activity of this coin is mainly concentrated on the bidding of high-grade samples.

 

2010-D Nickel Value 

Market demand for the 2010-D nickel is almost entirely concentrated on one feature: the “Full Steps” designation at premium grades. With a mintage of 230 million, regular circulated coins are directly ignored, and collectors instead focus on MS-66 and above specimens with clear Monticello stair detail.

Currently, only 3 coins have been certified as MS-68 “Full Steps,” creating a supply shortage. In January 2016, an MS68FS specimen’s auction price rose to $999. MS-67 grade nickels trade at much lower prices, which represents a significant premium increase compared to the MS-67 level. This premium reflects the scarcity of top-tier nickels.

If you are pursuing a complete Jefferson nickel set, MS-65 or MS-66 without Full Steps is more suitable, costing only a few dozen dollars. Choosing MS-67+ Full Steps means spending more money to purchase coins that are most valuable to registry set collectors.

Recent market activity shows steady collector interest in certified high-grade examples.

 

2010-S DCAM Nickel Value

The 2010-S DCAM Jefferson Nickel is a proof coin produced by the San Francisco Mint, with a mintage of approximately 1.69 million pieces. This quantity makes it a collectible that is neither scarce nor widespread.

The two primary grades circulating on the market are PR-69 and PR-70, with prices typically ranging from $6 to $46, depending on condition and market timing. Notably, the highest auction price recorded by PCGS reached $85 for a PR-69 DCAM grade coin sold on eBay in February 2020.

However, recent transaction data shows that PR-70 DCAM coins typically sell for around $28, demonstrating that the highest grade does not necessarily command a substantial price premium. For modern proof coins like this, the market prioritizes value for money and overall condition over absolute rarity, as evidenced by the relatively modest price differential between PR-69 and PR-70 grades.

The chart below illustrates the historical auction performance and price trends for this coin across different grades.

The following market activity analysis reveals the trading frequency and liquidity patterns for this modern proof issue.

 

2010-P Satin Finish Special Strike Nickel Value

The 2010-P Satin Finish Jefferson Nickel holds a unique position as the final year of a six-year experimental program that ran from 2005 to 2010. These coins were exclusively available in the 28-piece Uncirculated Mint Sets, struck on specially burnished planchets under higher pressure than standard circulation coins, creating their distinctive matte appearance.

The Mint discontinued the satin finish program in December 2010, citing concerns that the special surface finish highlighted handling marks too readily, effectively closing the book on this modern collecting category.

The PCGS-recorded auction peak of $881 for an SP69FS specimen in Jan 2016 demonstrates the sustained collector interest in top-quality examples. Most examples grade between SP66-SP68, making SP70 genuinely condition-rare rather than merely scarce by mintage alone.

Patterns of market activity reveal how collector demand has changed since the program ended in 2010.

 

2010-D Satin Finish Special Strike Nickel Value 

The 2010-D Satin Finish, as a modern special strike version, represents the U.S. Mint’s effort to continue the tradition of special finishes and holds importance for completist collectors in filling gaps in their collections.

While the total mintage is not extremely low, the Satin finish is difficult to preserve, with most examples showing minor scratches. The actual number of gem-grade specimens (MS67+) is far lower than the mintage figures, creating a scarcity in terms of condition.

High-grade coins are worth holding long-term. Compared to classic Jefferson Nickels, modern special versions appreciate more slowly but steadily. They are suitable as components of a series collection rather than standalone investment targets.

Top-grade MS68+ coins have some investment potential due to scarce population numbers, but the potential is limited. Their value is reflected more in collecting completeness rather than speculative activity—indispensable for Jefferson Nickel specialists but offering limited appeal to general investors.

Recent market activity demonstrates the steady demand pattern and price stability characteristic of modern mint set issues.

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

 

Rare 2010 Nickel Error List

While most 2010 Jefferson Nickels were struck without incident, production errors do occur during the minting process, creating varieties that attract significant collector interest. These pieces often command premiums well above their face value, with prices determined by the error’s visibility, rarity, and overall coin condition.

1. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is improperly positioned between the dies during striking, resulting in a partial blank area on the finished coin. This happens due to feeding mechanism malfunctions or human error during the high-speed minting process.

Identification is straightforward—a portion of the design is missing, with corresponding blank planchet visible, and the date and mint mark visibility determines collectibility.

Errors showing 5-10% off-center are relatively common and minimally valuable, while 20-50% off-center strikes with full date visible command strong premiums. Coins struck 50%+ off-center are genuinely rare and highly sought after.

The visual appeal makes these errors popular with both specialist error collectors and general enthusiasts, with value increasing proportionally to the degree of misalignment.

2. Double Die Errors

Double die errors result from die production issues where the hub impresses the design onto the working die multiple times with slight misalignment, creating doubled features on every coin struck from that die.

On 2010 nickels, doubling typically appears on inscriptions like “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” or Jefferson’s eye details, visible as distinct separation or notching of design elements. Identification requires magnification and careful observation, as many minor examples show only slight spreading that novices might miss.

Grading these errors involves both the coin’s condition and the doubling’s strength—bold, widely separated doubling on high-grade specimens commands premium prices. True doubled dies are distinguished from worthless strike doubling (mechanical doubling) by their sharp, distinct separation.

3. Wrong Planchet Errors

Wrong planchet errors occur when a nickel die strikes a blank intended for another denomination, most commonly dime planchets, creating a coin with nickel designs on incorrect metal composition or size.

These dramatic errors happen when planchets from different denominations accidentally mix in the striking chamber—for 2010, nickels struck on dime planchets are the most frequently encountered type. Recognition is immediate due to the size discrepancy and weight difference (dime planchets are smaller and lighter), combined with the silvery appearance of clad composition versus nickel’s characteristic color.

All wrong planchet errors are considered significant regardless of grade, though uncirculated examples with strong strikes command the highest prices.

These are among the rarest regular production errors, with perhaps only dozens to a few hundred examples existing for any given year-denomination combination, making them highly desirable to error specialists and serious Jefferson Nickel collectors alike.

 

Where To Sell Your 2010 Nickel?

So you’ve figured out what your coins are worth—great! But now comes the big question: where can you actually sell them without all the hassle?

Good news! I’ve done the homework for you and put together a handy list of online selling platforms. For each one, I’ll walk you through what makes it special, what works well, and what might be a bit tricky. That way, you can pick the option that fits your needs best.

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

 

FAQ About The 2010 Nickel        

1. Are 2010 nickels worth anything?

Most 2010 nickels in circulation remain worth face value. With 490 million struck between Philadelphia and Denver, they’re common finds in pocket change.

Value emerges in uncirculated condition—typical MS 65 examples sell for $3-4, while those showing Full Steps (complete definition of Monticello’s porch steps) reach $10-14. Satin finish varieties from mint sets trade between $6-9.

Circulated examples showing wear offer no premium unless they exhibit dramatic mint errors like off-center strikes or wrong planchet errors.

2. What is Full Steps on a 2010 nickel?

Full Steps refers to the six horizontal lines forming the steps of Monticello’s front porch on the reverse. Most nickels show weak or incomplete step definition due to die wear or insufficient striking pressure.

Coins displaying all six steps with complete, unbroken separation earn the Full Steps (FS) designation from grading services. This feature requires examining the reverse under magnification—the steps sit directly below the building’s entrance columns.
Full Steps dramatically increases value because properly struck examples are scarce even among uncirculated coins.

3. How can I tell if my 2010 nickel is valuable?

Check three factors: mint mark location (below the date on the obverse), condition (uncirculated coins show no wear), and step definition (examine Monticello’s porch steps on the reverse under magnification).

Look for the “P” or “D” mint mark first. Then assess whether the coin shows any circulation wear—scratches, discoloration, or dulling indicate a circulated example worth face value.

For uncirculated coins, count the horizontal step lines below Monticello’s entrance—six complete, separated lines indicate Full Steps and higher value. Obvious errors like off-center strikes or missing design elements also warrant professional evaluation.