2020 Nickel Value (Errors List, “D”, “S”, “W” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)

The 2020 Jefferson Nickel’s market value spans from $0.80 for a coin in Fine condition to $17.33 for special mint varieties. Understanding 2020 Nickel value depends primarily on grade and mint mark, with these factors creating substantial price differences in today’s numismatic market.

The year 2020 marked a milestone when West Point Mint produced its first-ever nickels, creating special collector versions alongside standard circulation strikes from Philadelphia and Denver. Standard uncirculated examples grading MS (Mint State) reach $8.81, while the W Reverse Proof version commands premium pricing.

Grade recognition forms the foundation of accurate coin valuation. This guide examines specific factors that influence pricing and offers practical information for evaluating 2020 nickels you encounter.

 

2020 Nickel Value By Variety

 

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 2020 Nickel Worth Money

The 2020-W nickels dominate the top tier of valuable 2020 issues. Professional grading certifications with special designations create significant value differences, with the First Day of Issue PR70 specimen commanding $2,305 and the First Strike variant reaching $1,482.

Reverse West Point varieties maintain strong market positions as well. The Reverse Proof graded PR70 trades at $895, while its First Strike counterpart is valued at $813. These premium prices reflect both the novelty of the W mint mark on nickels and the perfect PR70 grade designation.

Traditional Philadelphia and Denver mint coins also achieve notable values in exceptional grades. A 2020-P graded MS67 reaches $716, and a 2020-D MS68 commands $455. Even the Early Find designation adds premium, with a 2020-P Early Find MS68 valued at $203.

These valuations demonstrate how grade quality and special certifications significantly impact modern nickel prices in today’s collector market.

 

History of The 2020 Nickel

The 2020 Nickel maintained production at Philadelphia and Denver Mints for circulation while San Francisco continued striking proof versions for collectors. This distribution of minting responsibilities had been standard practice for decades, ensuring adequate coin supply alongside collectible offerings.

The coin’s design featured the forward-facing Jefferson portrait based on Rembrandt Peale’s 1800 study, introduced in 2006, paired with the enhanced Monticello reverse. This “Return to Monticello” theme represented a return to tradition after the special Westward Journey designs of 2004-2005.

The year gained particular significance when West Point Mint produced Jefferson Nickels for the first time in the series’ history. These special pieces bore the “W” mint mark and came in Proof and Reverse Proof finishes, marking a departure from West Point’s typical focus on precious metal products.

The Proof version was included with the 2020 Clad Proof Set, while the Reverse Proof appeared in the Silver Proof Set, both packaged separately in sealed wrap. Collectors could only obtain these special issues through purchasing the complete annual sets.

Plans for an Uncirculated West Point version were abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic production constraints. This unexpected change made 2020 a transitional year that blended routine production with historic firsts.

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

 

Is You 2020 Nickel Rare?

To quickly determine whether your 2020 nickel qualifies as rare, use our CoinValueChecker App to scan your coin and instantly receive detailed rarity information along with current market values.

 

Key Features of The 2020 Nickel

Understanding the design elements and physical characteristics helps collectors identify and evaluate these coins accurately. The following sections examine each aspect of the 2001 nickel in detail.

The Obverse Of The 2020 Nickel

The coin displays Thomas Jefferson in a forward-facing view. The word “LIBERTY” appears in Jefferson’s own handwriting style, a design element introduced in 2005 by Jamie Franki and engraved by Donna Weaver.

The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is inscribed on the obverse. The date “2020” and mint mark (P, D, S, or W) appear lower right of the portrait on the coin’s face.

The Reverse Of The 2020 Nickel

The reverse showcases Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia estate, in a frontal architectural perspective that was enhanced in 2006 by engraver John Mercanti with greater detail in the dome, balconies, doors, and windows.

The inscriptions include “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the top, the building name “MONTICELLO,” the denomination “FIVE CENTS,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Since the obverse no longer uses Schlag’s original design, his initials “FS” were relocated to the reverse, positioned to the right of Monticello.

Other Features Of The 2020 Nickel

The 2020 nickel weighs 5 grams and measures 21.20 millimeters in diameter. The coin consists of 75% copper and 25% nickel with a smooth edge. Special West Point editions feature either standard Proof or Reverse Proof finishes, with the latter displaying mirrored design elements against frosted backgrounds.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2020 Nickel Value

The easiest way to determine your 2020 nickel value is to check the mint mark (P, D, W, or S) below the date and examine the coin’s condition. While most circulated 2020 nickels are worth face value, rare varieties like the 2020-W or those with minting errors and full steps can fetch $15-$700+.

For instant accurate valuations, use the CoinValueChecker App to identify your coin’s grade, detect errors, and access current market values.

 

2020 Nickel Value Guides

The 2020 Jefferson Nickel continues the long-standing design featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home Monticello on the reverse. The 2020-W represents the first nickel minted at West Point Mint and the first reverse proof Jefferson Nickel, featuring mirrored details rising over frosted fields.

The year 2020 marked significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting coin production and circulation. While circulated examples hold little premium, high-grade uncirculated coins command significant premiums, especially those with sharp details on Monticello’s steps.

Here are main four types of the 2020 nickel:

• 2020-P Nickel (Philadelphia Mint)
• 2020-D Nickel (Denver Mint)
• 2020-S DCAM Nickel (San Francisco Mint)
• 2020-W Reverse Proof Nickel (West Point Mint)

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

2020-P Nickel Value

Most 2020-P Nickels in uncirculated condition trade for just 30 to 60 cents. The game changes completely when you find one with Full Steps—these command $15 to $100 depending on condition.

You’ll need a magnifying glass to examine whether at least five complete, unbroken horizontal lines run across Monticello’s base. Any break or blending anywhere along these steps disqualifies the coin from this premium designation.

This designation indicates superior striking quality—how precisely the die captured every detail during minting. The stronger and clearer those steps appear, the higher the premium climbs.

Bank rolls and half-price boxes at coin shops offer the best hunting grounds, where dealers often overlook Full Steps details when pricing their inventory. Patient collectors who take time examining Monticello’s architectural details can still discover these premium pieces hiding at face value or regular uncirculated prices.

The market activity chart reveals collector interest trends over the past year.

 

2020-D Nickel Value

Denver Mint struck 798 million 2020-D Nickels, creating abundant circulation supply. Most uncirculated examples trade between 30 and 61 cents, yet Full Steps specimens command $30 to $85 depending on condition—a dramatic price gulf that hinges entirely on those tiny architectural lines at Monticello’s base.

Denver Mint coins historically prove more challenging to find with Full Steps designation compared to Philadelphia strikes. Variations in striking pressure and die maintenance between facilities create this scarcity, becoming apparent only under magnification when examining whether Monticello’s steps run completely unbroken across the building’s width.

Systematic searching through bank rolls remains the most cost-effective acquisition method for discovering quality specimens. Patience pays dividends when hunting for examples combining complete step definition with minimal surface marks.

Displayed here is a snapshot of market activity that highlights the popularity and activity level of the 2020-D issue.

 

2020-S DCAM Nickel Value

The 2020-S Deep Cameo Jefferson Nickel continues the enhanced design introduced in 2006. This refinement brought sharper definition to the building’s columns and features.

San Francisco’s specialized striking process creates the distinctive Deep Cameo effect—frosted design elements contrasting dramatically against mirror-like fields—with most specimens achieving PR69 to PR70 grades.

Preserving these visual qualities requires proper storage in protective holders within climate-controlled environments. Surface exposure to humidity or contaminants can develop haze that diminishes the sharp contrast collectors value. Handle coins only by edges to maintain pristine surfaces.

Professional certification adds substantial market premiums. PR70DCAM examples command $22-$28, while PR69 specimens trade at $12-$14. Uncertified pieces from proof sets typically sell for $4-$5, demonstrating how authentication and grading verification drive collector confidence and pricing.

Market activity chart shows the ongoing demand of this type across recent months.

 

2020-W Reverse Proof Nickel Value

The 2020-W Reverse Proof Nickel displays an inverted minting technique where reflective polish appears on Jefferson’s portrait, lettering, and date, while the background carries a frosted texture. This creates a matte contrast with the polished design surfaces, making each element catch light in ways that differ from standard proof coins.

When examining the coin under proper lighting, the frosted fields provide a soft foundation that makes the mirror-like details appear to float above the surface.

West Point Mint, typically reserved for commemorative and bullion pieces in precious metals, struck this nickel bearing the “W” mint mark for the first time in the Jefferson series’ 82-year history.

Collectors could acquire this piece exclusively by purchasing the 2020 Silver Proof Set, where it arrived as a separately packaged premium alongside the standard set coins. This distribution method meant that anyone seeking just the nickel still needed to invest in the complete set, adding a layer of commitment to ownership.

If you want to see how much attention this coin is getting right now, the chart below captures the past year’s market patterns.

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

 

Rare 2020 Nickel Error List

While most 2020 nickels remain at face value, certain minting anomalies can transform them into valuable collectibles. Knowing these production flaws helps collectors identify coins worth significantly more than five cents.

1. Doubled Die Errors

The doubled die occurs when the planchet shifts during striking, creating overlapping images on design elements. On 2020 Jefferson nickels, examine the obverse closely—doubling typically appears on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date. The reverse shows duplication around Monticello’s outline and lettering.

A variant called the “tilted door error” displays diagnostic markers: die gouges below Jefferson’s ear and doubling on the center door’s left side above the steps.

Circulated examples with strong doubling reach $50, while uncirculated specimens command higher premiums depending on the doubling’s prominence and location.

2. Strike-Through Errors

Foreign objects entering the striking chamber create strike-through errors when they become trapped between die and planchet. The intruding material—ranging from dust particles to grease blobs—leaves its impression on the finished coin, obscuring portions of Jefferson’s portrait or Monticello’s facade.

These errors vary dramatically in appearance and desirability; subtle strikes may add modest value, while dramatic obstructions that significantly alter the coin’s appearance attract stronger collector interest. The error’s uniqueness stems from each foreign object’s distinct shape and position.

Market values for 2020 nickels with strike-through errors range from $50 to $80 in average condition, with pristine uncirculated examples potentially exceeding these figures when the strike-through creates a particularly noteworthy visual effect.

3. Missing Clad Layer Errors

During planchet preparation, impurities occasionally prevent the nickel cladding from properly bonding to the copper core, eventually causing the outer layer to separate. This creates coins where the copper interior becomes visible—sometimes on just one side, producing a two-toned appearance with one copper face and one nickel face.

Collectors prize these errors because they reveal the coin’s internal composition, offering a unique window into the minting process. The rarity of this error type stems from quality control improvements that catch most defective planchets before striking.

A 2020 nickel exhibiting partial or complete clad layer separation can bring approximately $20 in circulated grades, with values increasing for uncirculated specimens that show clean, even peeling without environmental damage or artificial enhancement.

4. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet fails to seat properly within the collar during striking, leaving blank spaces where the design should appear.

The feeding mechanism malfunction causes planchets to enter the press misaligned—sometimes by mere millimeters, other times dramatically shifted. Collectors prize specimens that retain the complete date, as proper attribution becomes impossible without it.

Market value correlates directly with displacement percentage: a 10-15% shift might bring $100-$300, while dramatic 30-45% errors command $500-$900 or more. The visual impact of these errors makes them particularly accessible to beginning collectors, yet advanced numismatists continue pursuing high-grade examples with optimal centering ratios.

 

Where To Sell Your 2020 Nickel?

Making an informed decision about where to sell can mean the difference between getting fair value and maximizing your return.

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

 

FAQ About 2020 Nickel

1. How much is a 2001 nickel worth?

Most circulated 2001 nickels are worth their face value of five cents. Uncirculated examples graded MS65 to MS67 are fairly common and affordable. However, specimens graded MS68 are quite rare, and those graded MS69 to MS70 are extremely hard to find and typically fetch a premium.

Error coins can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the error type and condition.

2. Are 2001 nickels made of silver?

No, 2001 nickels are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, not silver. Only Jefferson nickels minted during World War II from 1942 to 1945 contained 35% silver, with the remaining composition being mostly copper and some manganese.

Regular 2001 Jefferson nickels have no silver content and are made from a cupronickel alloy that gives them their silvery appearance

3. What errors can be found on 2001 nickels?

Common 2001 nickel errors include die cracks (raised lines from deteriorated dies), grease struck-through (foreign objects leaving impressions), partial collar errors (misaligned striking creating edge ridges), and rotated die errors (misaligned obverse and reverse dies).

Other random errors can include double strikes, off-center strikes, and clipped planchets. Error coins are particularly valuable to collectors, with some examples selling for hundreds to thousands of dollars at auction.