2016 Nickel Value Checker: Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth

The 2016 nickel value ranges from face value all the way up to over $1,000 for the finest certified examples. Understanding what separates a common five-cent piece from a collector-grade treasure comes down to just a few key factors.

Most 2016 nickels in average circulated condition are worth five to seven cents. Higher-grade uncirculated examples can reach $1.74 to $2.53, while Full Steps (FS) specimens — those showing sharp, complete architectural detail on Monticello’s staircase — command premium values between $5.96 and $8.70.

Proof versions from San Francisco with the Deep Cameo finish average around $9.50, and exceptional top-grade coins have sold for hundreds of dollars at auction.

 

2016 Nickel Value By Variety

The 2016 Jefferson nickel was produced at three U.S. Mints, with each variety offering different values to collectors.

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 4 Most Valuable 2016 Nickel Value Results: Record Auction Sales

The most valuable 2016 nickels owe their high prices to exceptional preservation and professional certification. A 2016-D nickel graded MS-68 Full Steps — meaning Mint State grade 68 with fully defined Monticello steps — set the all-time auction record when it sold for $1,175 via eBay in March 2019, certified by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service).

That same Denver variety in MS-68 FS has also sold for $285, illustrating how even matched grades can produce price variation based on eye appeal and surface quality. Denver produced 759,600,000 nickels in 2016, making an MS-68 FS coin extraordinarily rare despite the massive output.

Philadelphia Mint coins compete strongly at top grades as well. A 2016-P graded MS-70 with Full Steps reached $250 in December 2021, representing absolute striking and surface perfection. Even a 2016-P graded MS-62 with a combination of rotated dies and struck-through debris fetched $124.99 at auction, proving that dramatic error coins add real value beyond condition alone.

Heritage Auctions data shows that a 2016-D MS-65 Five Full Steps example has sold for approximately $500, underscoring how the Full Steps designation transforms value at every grade level. The grade gap between a circulated coin worth five cents and a top-tier certified example worth hundreds of dollars is one of the most compelling stories in modern U.S. coin collecting.

 

History Of The 2016 Nickel Value

The 2016 Jefferson nickel sits within a design chapter that began a decade earlier. In 2006, the U.S. Mint introduced a groundbreaking obverse portrait — the first time a U.S. circulating coin depicted a president facing directly toward the viewer rather than in profile.

Artist Jamie Franki designed this modern three-quarter portrait, basing it on Rembrandt Peale’s celebrated 1800 oil painting of Jefferson at age 57 while he served as Vice President. Sculptor Donna Weaver brought the design to life through engraving, replacing Felix Schlag’s classic profile portrait that had appeared on the nickel since 1938.

The Jefferson nickel series has a fascinating competitive origin: Schlag won his original 1938 design from a field of 390 competing artists, earning a $1,000 prize from the U.S. Treasury. That contest produced the iconic profile portrait that served American commerce for nearly 70 years before the 2006 modernization.

The 2006 redesign followed the celebrated Westward Journey Nickel Series from 2004 to 2005, which honored the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition bicentennials. After those commemorative reverses concluded, the Mint restored the classic Monticello reverse while debuting the forward-facing Jefferson portrait on the obverse.

One detail that confuses many beginners: the small “FS” letters visible on the obverse below Jefferson’s portrait stand for Felix Schlag, not Full Steps. These initials were added in 1966 to honor Schlag’s artistic contribution and have absolutely nothing to do with the Full Steps strike designation awarded by PCGS and NGC.

The 2016 nickel also reflects a meaningful chapter in mint-mark history. The Coinage Act of 1965 removed mint marks from all U.S. coins through 1967. When they returned in 1968, they were relocated from the reverse to the obverse below the date — a placement that remains standard on every 2016 nickel you find today.

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

 

Is Your 2016 Nickel Value Worth More Than Face? Understanding Rarity

For detailed rarity rankings and specific variety information about your 2016 nickel, our Coin Value Checker App provides accurate assessments to help you understand exactly how uncommon your coin is within the Jefferson nickel series.

 

Key Features That Affect 2016 Nickel Value

The 2016 nickel weighs 5 grams and measures 21.2 millimeters in diameter. It contains 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a plain edge and a thickness of 1.95 millimeters.

The Obverse Of The 2016 Nickel

The obverse displays Thomas Jefferson’s portrait based on Rembrandt Peale’s 1800 painting, showing Jefferson at age 57 as Vice President. The design was created by Jamie Franki and engraved by Donna Weaver, debuting in 2006 and continuing unchanged on 2016 strikes.

The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears on the left portion while “LIBERTY” — written in Jefferson’s own cursive handwriting style — is positioned on the right above the date. The mint mark (“P,” “D,” or “S”) sits on the obverse just below the date, a placement standard on all U.S. coins since 1968.

Beginners often ask about the “FS” initials below Jefferson’s portrait — those stand for Felix Schlag, the coin’s original 1938 designer, and were added in 1966. They have no connection to the Full Steps designation used by grading services to describe Monticello’s strike quality.

The Reverse Of The 2016 Nickel

The reverse features Monticello, Jefferson’s historic plantation home in Albemarle County, Virginia. The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arches across the top, while “FIVE CENTS” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” appear at the bottom.

The restored reverse design provides crisper imagery than earlier editions, with enhanced detail in the dome, balconies, doors, and windows. Most importantly for collectors, Monticello’s entrance staircase — the horizontal step lines that determine the Full Steps designation — appears along the base of the building’s portico on the lower portion of the reverse.

Other Features Of The 2016 Nickel

The 2016 nickel was produced at three facilities. Philadelphia minted 786,960,000 coins while Denver produced 759,600,000 pieces. San Francisco struck 977,355 proof coins exclusively for collector sets — representing less than 0.1% of total 2016 production.

Felix Schlag’s initials “FS” appear below Jefferson’s bust, added in 1966 to honor the designer. The mint mark appears on the obverse below the date, having been moved there from the reverse in 1968 following the mint-mark hiatus of 1965–1967 under the Coinage Act of 1965.

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

 

2016 Nickel Value Mintage & Survival Data

Based on the 2016 Nickel Mintage & Survival Chart, production was dominated by circulation strikes from two major facilities. Philadelphia led with 786,960,000 pieces, while Denver followed closely with 759,600,000 coins — together exceeding 1.5 billion nickels for everyday commerce.

In stark contrast, San Francisco produced just 977,355 Deep Cameo proof specimens for collector sets. This represents less than 0.1% of total 2016 nickel production, making the “S” mint mark coin the scarcest variety by raw numbers.

To put the 2016 output in historical perspective, the lowest-mintage Jefferson nickel ever is the 1950-D at just 2,630,000 Denver pieces. The 2016 Denver mintage is nearly 289 times larger — yet high-grade Full Steps examples remain genuinely scarce because the minting process frequently produces weak strikes on Monticello’s steps regardless of total production volume.

The survival data for specific high grades remains difficult to assess precisely. PCGS and NGC population reports confirm that true MS-68 Full Steps examples are extreme condition rarities for both the Philadelphia and Denver 2016 strikes, with only a handful of certified examples recorded at that top level.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2016 Nickel Value

Determining your 2016 nickel’s worth is straightforward with the right approach. Start by checking the mint mark below the date on the obverse — “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, or “S” for San Francisco.

Next, examine Monticello’s entrance staircase on the reverse. If all five or six horizontal step lines are crisp and uninterrupted with no weak spots or breaks, your coin may qualify for the valuable FS designation from PCGS or the 5FS/6FS designation from NGC — which can multiply its value many times over. Proof coins from San Francisco with the “S” mint mark hold premium value over circulation strikes at every grade level.

For instant, accurate valuations based on current market data and your coin’s specific characteristics, download the Coin Value Checker App today.

 

2016 Nickel Value Guides

• 2016-P (Philadelphia) — Business strike nickel produced at the Philadelphia Mint with a “P” mintmark on the obverse below the date. Philadelphia struck 786,960,000 pieces, making this the highest-mintage 2016 variety. In MS-67 Full Steps, these coins have sold for approximately $45 at auction per PCGS records, with a perfect MS-70 FS example reaching $250 in December 2021.
• 2016-D (Denver) — Business strike nickel from the Denver Mint, identifiable by the “D” mintmark beneath the date. Denver produced 759,600,000 coins; while plentiful in circulated grades, MS-68 Full Steps specimens are extreme rarities with the record sale of $1,175 in March 2019. MS-67 FS examples typically trade around $50, while MS-65 Five Full Steps coins have sold for approximately $500 at Heritage Auctions.
• 2016-S DCAM (San Francisco Deep Cameo Proof) — Collector’s proof striking from the San Francisco Mint, featuring mirror-like fields and heavily frosted devices that create dramatic visual contrast. “DCAM” (Deep Cameo) is the highest-quality cameo designation for proof coins. San Francisco struck only 977,355 proof specimens, all sold in official U.S. Mint proof sets. The auction record stands at $90 for a PR-70 DCAM example achieved in January 2021.

Together, these three varieties tell a story of scale and specialization: Philadelphia and Denver produced coins for commerce by the billions, while San Francisco crafted a premium collector edition featuring mirror-finish surfaces and the most sharply struck designs in the series.

 

2016-P Nickel Value 

The 2016-P nickel appeals to collectors primarily for its Full Steps designation — a quality indicator requiring five or six fully defined, uninterrupted horizontal step lines on Monticello’s entrance staircase. Such clear details are uncommon in high-volume circulation strikes despite the enormous Philadelphia output.

The physics of the Jefferson nickel die explains why Full Steps are scarce. The deepest part of the obverse die — where metal must flow to fill Jefferson’s portrait details — sits directly opposite Monticello’s step region on the reverse die, so metal flowing toward Jefferson’s face is simultaneously pulled away from the staircase area, often leaving the lower steps weakly struck or blended.

Most circulated pieces remain at face value. Uncirculated specimens without Full Steps trade modestly, typically $0.60 to $2 depending on grade. MS-67 Full Steps examples have sold for approximately $45 at auction per PCGS records, with premiums increasing significantly at the highest grades.

The highest recorded sale reached $250 for a coin graded MS-70 with Full Steps in December 2021, representing absolute perfection — a coin PCGS certified as flawless in both strike quality and surface preservation, the rarest possible result for a circulation-strike nickel.

Market activity for the 2016-P nickel shows moderate fluctuations throughout the year, with notable peaks in spring and fall months.

 

2016-D Nickel Value 

The 2016-D nickel holds special collector interest because its Full Steps specimens have produced the highest auction results of the entire 2016 nickel series. Denver-minted coins with crisp, uninterrupted Monticello step lines are genuinely difficult to locate despite the massive production run of 759.6 million pieces.

Standard circulation pieces trade at face value. Uncirculated examples without Full Steps command modest premiums typically ranging from $0.90 to $13 depending on grade, while superior strikes with complete step definition achieve significantly higher values — approximately $50 for MS-67 FS, around $500 for MS-65 Five Full Steps at Heritage Auctions, and $1,175 for MS-68 FS.

PCGS and NGC handle the Full Steps designation differently, and that difference matters when comparing prices. PCGS uses a single “FS” label for coins showing five or more complete steps, while NGC has awarded separate “5FS” and “6FS” designations since 2004. A 6FS coin is rarer and commands a higher premium, so always check which service graded your Denver nickel before evaluating its price against comparable sales.

The auction record stands at $1,175 for a PCGS-certified 2016-D MS-68 Full Steps sold via eBay in March 2019. A second MS-68 FS example brought $285, illustrating that even within the same grade, specific surface qualities and eye appeal produce meaningful price differences.

Market activity for the 2016-D nickel displays relatively steady interest throughout the year, with occasional upticks in trading volume.

 

2016-S DCAM Nickel Value

The 2016-S Deep Cameo proof nickel represents premium collector-grade production from San Francisco. “DCAM” stands for Deep Cameo — the highest-quality cameo designation for proof coins — indicating heavily frosted design devices that contrast sharply against mirror-polished background fields, creating the striking two-tone visual effect that sets proof coins apart.

These specimens were sold exclusively in official U.S. Mint proof sets, never released for general circulation. Most examples grade between PR-67 and PR-70 DCAM, reflecting the carefully controlled striking environment of the San Francisco Mint’s proof production process.

An important note: the Full Steps designation is not used for proof nickels. Because proofs are struck multiple times with specially prepared, polished dies and planchets, they are expected to show complete, sharp steps as a matter of course — so neither PCGS nor NGC awards an FS, 5FS, or 6FS designation to any proof specimen.

The auction record stands at $90 for a coin graded PR-70 DCAM in January 2021. Lower proof grades (PR-67 and below) typically trade between $5 and $15, while PR-69 DCAM examples are readily available to collectors for $10 to $23.

Market activity for the 2016-S DCAM nickel demonstrates consistent collector interest, with relatively stable trading patterns throughout the year.

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

 

Rare 2016 Nickel Value Error List

While 2016 Jefferson nickels lack widely recognized major die varieties, collectors actively pursue several error types found throughout the Jefferson nickel series. Each error adds collectible value above the standard coin price, with the most visually dramatic examples commanding the highest premiums.

Understanding these minting mistakes helps you identify potentially valuable specimens and distinguish genuine errors from common post-mint damage — which can look similar but adds no collector value.

1. Lamination Errors

Lamination errors result from impurities or trapped gas within the planchet metal during preparation, creating weak spots where the surface peels, flakes, or separates in visible layers. The 75% copper and 25% nickel composition of Jefferson nickels makes them particularly susceptible to this error type compared to silver or clad denominations.

A 2016-P nickel graded MS-63 with an obverse lamination error sold for $435 at GreatCollections in 2020, confirming the real demand for dramatic surface separation errors. Most lamination errors on 2016 nickels trade between $100 and $400 depending on the severity and location of the peeling.

2. Off-Center Strikes

Off-center errors happen when the planchet shifts during striking, causing the design to appear partially off the coin’s surface with visible blank metal on one or more sides. These occur when the collar fails to properly seat the planchet before the dies come together.

Value increases with greater offset percentages and when the date remains fully visible. Minor shifts of 5 to 10% are the most common and add modest premiums, while dramatic 50%-plus offsets can command $50 to $150 or more depending on condition and date visibility.

3. Rotated Dies Errors

A rotated dies error occurs when the reverse die is not properly aligned with the obverse die during production. On a normal U.S. coin, flipping it vertically reveals both sides right-side up; on a rotated dies coin, the reverse appears tilted at an angle or even upside down relative to the obverse.

A documented 2016-P Jefferson nickel with combined rotated dies and struck-through debris was certified ANACS MS-63 and sold through GreatCollections. A PCGS-certified example with rotated dies fetched $124.99 at auction — and these errors become significantly more valuable as the rotation angle increases toward 180 degrees.

4. Struck-Through Grease or Debris Errors

Struck-through errors occur when foreign material — die grease, cloth fibers, or small metal fragments — becomes trapped between the die and the planchet during striking. The debris prevents metal from fully filling the die, leaving a soft or absent impression in that specific area of the coin.

On Jefferson nickels, grease-filled dies most commonly affect Monticello’s steps or Jefferson’s portrait details. A coin showing major struck-through grease that obscures the date or primary design elements is significantly more valuable than one with minor fill affecting secondary areas.

5. Die Cracks and Breaks

Die cracks form when stress fractures develop in the metal dies during extended production runs, appearing as raised lines on finished coins where metal filled the crack during striking. Minor cracks hold modest value, while major die breaks that create a raised blob of metal at the coin’s rim — called a cud — are more desirable to error collectors.

Some collectors specifically seek die cracks that cross Jefferson’s portrait or Monticello’s facade, since these create distinctive and reproducible visual effects on every coin struck from the same damaged die.

6. Improperly Annealed Planchet Errors

Planchets must be heated (annealed) before striking to soften the metal enough for proper die flow. When a planchet skips or receives inadequate annealing, the metal remains too hard — and the finished coin shows poor metal flow, incomplete design details, and an unnaturally dull or mottled surface texture.

On 2016 Jefferson nickels, improperly annealed planchet errors show a distinctive grainy or dark surface alongside weakly struck high points. These errors are collectible because the coin looks genuinely and consistently different from a normal strike in a way that improper storage or handling cannot replicate.

7. Wrong Planchet Errors

These dramatic errors occur when a blank intended for another denomination accidentally enters the nickel production line. A 2016 nickel design struck on a dime planchet — which is smaller and made of a different copper-nickel clad composition — creates an immediately obvious size and weight discrepancy visible without any measuring tools.

Wrong planchet errors are uncommon because multiple automated safeguards typically prevent mixing planchets between production lines. Collectors prize these mistakes for their obvious visual impact and the instant conversation they generate among even non-collectors.

Where To Sell Your 2016 Nickel Value Coins For Top Dollar

Finding the right marketplace for your 2016 nickel depends on its condition and what specifically makes it valuable. For common circulated pieces worth only face value, local coin dealers or bank exchanges provide the fastest transaction with no seller fees.

Valuable error coins, high-grade MS-67 or above specimens, and Full Steps examples deserve professional auction platforms such as Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers Galleries, or GreatCollections, where specialized collector-bidders compete for premium certified pieces. We’ve compiled a detailed guide covering the best places to sell coins online, comparing their advantages and limitations to help you maximize returns.

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

 

2016 Nickel Value Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 2016 Nickel Value

1. What makes a 2016 nickel value higher than face value?

Most 2016 nickels are worth just five cents in circulated condition. Value rises significantly with the Full Steps (FS) designation — where all five or six steps on Monticello are completely defined and uninterrupted — as well as with higher Mint State grades, proof status from San Francisco, or visible minting errors. Professional certification from PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Company) is generally required before a coin can achieve prices in the $50 to $1,175 range.

2. What is the difference between 5FS and 6FS on a 2016 Jefferson nickel?

NGC has awarded separate 5FS (five full steps) and 6FS (six full steps) designations since 2004, while PCGS uses a single “FS” label for coins showing five or more complete, uninterrupted step lines. A 6FS coin is rarer because all six horizontal step lines must be fully defined with no breaks or interruptions. When comparing prices between PCGS-certified and NGC-certified Full Steps nickels, always verify which service graded the coin and how many complete steps it shows, since 6FS examples command a meaningful premium over 5FS.

3. What does DCAM mean on the 2016-S proof nickel?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo and is the highest-quality cameo designation assigned to proof coins by PCGS. It describes the striking visual contrast between heavily frosted design elements (Jefferson’s portrait and Monticello) and the mirror-polished background fields of the coin.

NGC uses the term “Ultra Cameo” (UCAM) for the equivalent designation. The 2016-S Deep Cameo proof nickel holds an auction record of $90 for a perfect PR-70 DCAM example sold in January 2021.

4. Why is the Full Steps designation so hard to find on 2016 nickels?

The die physics of Jefferson nickel production make Full Steps strikes difficult to achieve reliably. The deepest area of the obverse die — where metal must flow to fill Jefferson’s portrait — sits directly opposite Monticello’s step region on the reverse die.

Metal flowing toward Jefferson’s face during striking is simultaneously pulled away from the step area, often leaving the lower steps weakly struck or blended, particularly under Monticello’s central third pillar. This happens regardless of how many coins are produced, which is why Full Steps examples are genuinely scarce even from years with hundreds of millions of strikes.

5. How much is a 2016 nickel with a lamination error worth?

A 2016-P Jefferson nickel graded MS-63 with an obverse lamination error sold for $435 at GreatCollections in 2020. Most lamination errors on 2016 nickels trade between $100 and $400 depending on the severity and location of the surface peeling or separation. Larger affected areas and complete surface separations command higher premiums than minor blistering. The 75% copper and 25% nickel composition of Jefferson nickels makes them especially prone to this error type.

6. How can I identify a 2016-S proof nickel?

The 2016-S proof nickel bears an “S” mint mark below the date on the obverse. These coins feature mirror-like fields that reflect light like polished glass, contrasting with frosted design elements to create the Deep Cameo effect. They were never released for circulation — only sold in official U.S. Mint proof sets — so finding one in pocket change is extremely unlikely. Sharp, squared-off lettering and deeply reflective surfaces readily distinguish a proof coin from regular circulation strikes produced in Philadelphia and Denver.

7. What was the highest price ever paid for a 2016 nickel?

The all-time auction record for a 2016 nickel is $1,175, achieved by a 2016-D graded MS-68 Full Steps by PCGS, sold via eBay in March 2019. This Denver Mint coin combined near-perfect surface preservation with exceptional strike quality across all five or six Monticello steps.

The second-highest known sale was another 2016-D MS-68 FS that brought $285, demonstrating that even within the same top grade, specific surface qualities and eye appeal produce real price differences.

8. Should I clean my 2016 nickel before selling or submitting it for grading?

Never clean any coin you believe may have numismatic value. Cleaning destroys original surface luster, leaves microscopic hairline scratches detectable under magnification, and is immediately identified by professional graders at PCGS and NGC.

A cleaned coin — even one in otherwise gem uncirculated condition — receives a “details” notation that drastically reduces its certified market value and makes it far less desirable to serious collectors. The original, unaltered surface of an uncirculated 2016 nickel is always worth more than a cleaned version of the same coin.

9. Are 2016 nickels with errors rare?

While 2016 nickels lack widely recognized major die varieties, genuine errors — including lamination errors, off-center strikes, rotated dies, struck-through debris, improperly annealed planchets, and wrong planchet errors — do appear in the marketplace periodically.

Most are caught during production by automated quality controls. Finding genuine errors requires careful examination; dramatic errors visible to the naked eye command far higher premiums than microscopic varieties requiring a loupe or microscope to detect.

10. How does the 2016 nickel mintage compare to other years in the Jefferson series?

The 2016 combined circulation mintage of over 1.546 billion nickels is large by historical standards, though not the highest ever. The record high came in 1964 with approximately 2.82 billion nickels produced during a nationwide coin shortage. The lowest-mintage Jefferson nickel is the 1950-D at just 2,630,000 Denver pieces.

The 2009 mintage was notably low during the recession — only about 86.6 million coins combined from Philadelphia and Denver — making the 2016 output of 1.5 billion a strong recovery to high-volume production. Despite that large 2016 mintage, high-grade Full Steps examples remain genuinely rare because massive production does not guarantee consistent quality striking.