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Nickel Error Coins

From the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo to War Nickel overdates and Jefferson doubled dies: what each one looks like and what it's worth.

Nickel Error Coins Value Chart

These are the nickel error coins collectors pay the most for, with typical values in circulated and Mint State grades. Every row links to current listings.

Error / VarietySeriesCirculatedMint StateShop
1916 Doubled Die ObverseBuffalo$3,600 – $17,000$50,000 – $140,000+Shop →
1918/7-D OverdateBuffalo$1,000 – $10,000$25,000 – $100,000+Shop →
1937-D Three-LeggedBuffalo$500 – $2,000$3,500 – $9,000+Shop →
1936-D 3½ LegsBuffalo$600 – $2,500$5,000+Shop →
1914/3 OverdateBuffalo$200 – $1,500$2,500+Shop →
1942-D D over Horizontal DJefferson$80 – $500$4,500 – $14,000Shop →
1939 Doubled MonticelloJefferson$50 – $150$300 – $800+Shop →
1943/2-P OverdateWar Nickel$40 – $100$250 – $1,000+Shop →
1943-P Doubled EyeWar Nickel$25 – $75$200 – $1,000+Shop →
1945-P Doubled Die ReverseWar Nickel$20 – $60$100 – $1,000+Shop →
2005-D Speared BisonJefferson$15 – $50$75 – $400+Shop →
Off-Center Strike (any date)All$20 – $300$100 – $2,000+Shop →
Typical retail values for problem-free coins, October 2026. Key varieties are often faked, so buy anything over a few hundred dollars in a PCGS or NGC holder.

Why Nickel Error Coins Are Worth Collecting

Nickel error coins cover more than a century of U.S. Mint history. The Buffalo Nickel's hand-finished dies, the Jefferson Nickel's long production run, and the wartime switch to a silver alloy each produced their own famous errors.

Nickels are also searched far less than cents, so genuine errors still turn up in bank rolls. For regular nickel values, see our coin price guides. If you're not sure what you have, our What's My Coin Worth guide walks you through it.

Quick benchmark: Most nickel errors in circulated condition are worth $15–$150. The big Buffalo varieties, the 1942-D D over Horizontal D and dramatic off-center strikes run from several hundred dollars to five figures.

Buffalo Nickel Error Coins (1913–1938)

1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel error

The Buffalo Nickel holds the most famous error in American numismatics. Its short 25-year run and hand-finished dies, especially at Denver, produced a cluster of valuable varieties for such a small series.

Recommended Reading
Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties
The go-to book for doubled dies, repunched mintmarks and other varieties.
Check Price on Amazon →
1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel overdate, close-up of the date 1916 Doubled Die Obverse Buffalo Nickel, close-up of the doubled date

1937-D Three-Legged

A Denver worker over-polished a die to remove clash marks and ground away the bison's front leg. The most famous Buffalo Nickel error.
$500–$9,000+ Rare

1918/7-D Overdate

A 1917 die was re-dated 1918, so a faint 7 shows under the 8. The most valuable Buffalo variety in high grades.
$1,000–$100,000+ Rare

1916 Doubled Die Obverse

Strong doubling on the date, chin and feathers. Rare in any grade and five figures even when worn.
$3,600–$140,000+ Rare

1914/3 Overdate

A 1913 die was re-dated 1914, leaving traces of the 3. Known for all three mints and scarce in Mint State.
$200–$2,500+ Scarce

1936-D 3½ Legs

Like the 1937-D, an over-polished die thinned the front leg, leaving only part of it. Often confused with damage.
$600–$5,000+ Scarce

Off-Center Strikes

Buffalo Nickels struck 10%+ off-center are scarce for a series this old. A visible date adds the most value.
$150–$2,000+ Rare

How to Spot a Genuine 1937-D Three-Legged

Start with the D mint mark under FIVE CENTS. On a genuine coin, the front right leg is cleanly missing, a line of raised dots usually runs from the belly to the ground, and the back leg looks thin. A leg removed after minting leaves rough tool marks, so have any example worth real money authenticated.

Jefferson Nickel Error Coins (1938–Present)

The Jefferson Nickel has been struck since 1938, often hundreds of millions a year. Even a tiny error rate leaves plenty of survivors to find, and several varieties still turn up in pocket change.

1942-D D over Horizontal D Jefferson Nickel, mint mark close-up 2005-D Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel reverse

1942-D D over Horizontal D

The D mint mark was first punched sideways, then corrected. The key Jefferson variety, worth $80 even in Good.
$80–$14,000 Rare

1939 Doubled Monticello

Strong doubling on MONTICELLO and FIVE CENTS on the reverse. The classic early Jefferson doubled die.
$50–$800+ Scarce

1954-S/D Overmint

An S mint mark punched over a D. Visible under a loupe and an affordable variety to hunt for.
$15–$150+ Common

2005-D Speared Bison

A die gouge on the Westward Journey reverse looks like a spear through the bison. Still found in rolls.
$15–$400+ Common

Off-Center & Broadstrikes

Common modern errors and a good first error coin. Off-center coins with the date showing bring the most.
$20–$300+ Common

Wrong Planchet

A nickel struck on a cent, dime or foreign blank is the wrong size or color. Always have these authenticated.
$200–$2,000+ Rare

War Nickel Error Coins (1942–1945)

1943 Jefferson War Nickel with large mint mark above Monticello

From late 1942 through 1945, nickels were struck in 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese to save nickel for the war. You can spot one by the large P, D or S above Monticello's dome, the first time Philadelphia used a mint mark.

1943/2-P War Nickel overdate, close-up of the date
Silver floor: each War Nickel holds 0.0563 oz of silver, about $3.04 at $54 an ounce (October 2026). Any error premium sits on top of that. Check today's figure with the Silver Coin Melt Calculator.

1943/2-P Overdate

A 1942 die was re-dated 1943, so part of the 2 shows under the 3. The best-known War Nickel variety.
$40–$1,000+ Scarce

1943-P Doubled Eye

Doubling on Jefferson's eye and eyelid, visible with a 5x loupe. Popular and still affordable.
$25–$1,000+ Scarce

1945-P Doubled Die Reverse

Doubling on the reverse lettering and Monticello. Strong examples command a solid premium.
$20–$1,000+ Scarce

Off-Center Strikes

Scarce for a four-year series. The silver content adds a floor under the error premium.
$100–$1,000+ Rare

Lamination Errors

The wartime alloy flaked easily, so peeling and cracked surfaces are common on War Nickels.
$10–$75 Common

1944 No Mint Mark

Not a Mint error: every genuine 1944 nickel has a mint mark above the dome. These are known counterfeits.
Counterfeit Common

How to Find Nickel Error Coins

Search Bank Rolls

Nickel rolls ($2 face value) are easy to get from most banks and far less picked over than cents or quarters. As a result, doubled dies, off-center strikes, laminations and the 2005-D Speared Bison still turn up.

Check Estate Sales and Coin Shows

Buffalo and War Nickels rarely circulate now, but they show up in estate lots and dealer junk boxes. Sellers often price those groups as common coins, so a patient search can find an overdate or a three-legged bison.

Use a Loupe on the Right Spots

On Buffalo Nickels, check the bison's legs and the date for overdates. On Jefferson Nickels, check MONTICELLO, the steps and the mint mark. On War Nickels, check the date and Jefferson's eye with a 5x–10x loupe.

Rule Out Damage

Bag marks, scratches and rim dings are not errors. A real mint error has clean, original surfaces around the flaw, because it happened during striking. For example, a worn-away bison leg looks ragged, while the 1937-D shows a clean absence.

Grading Nickel Error Coins

PCGS and NGC grade nickel errors on the 1–70 scale and name the error on the label, for example "MS-63, Three-Legged." Certification is worth it for any nickel error likely worth $200 or more, because it proves authenticity and makes the coin far easier to sell.

Tip: For doubled dies and overdates, ask for variety attribution (PCGS VarietyPlus or NGC's variety service). A holder that names the variety sells for more than one that lists only the date and mint.
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Error Coins Hub

Every U.S. mint error type, with values.
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Penny Error Coins

1943 copper, 1955 doubled die and other Lincoln cent errors.
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Dime Error Coins

Roosevelt and Mercury dime error types.
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Quarter Error Coins

Washington and State Quarter errors.
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Buffalo Nickel Value Chart

Every Buffalo Nickel date and mint, 1913–1938.
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Jefferson Nickels

Key dates, War Nickels and Full Steps.
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Nickel Error Coins FAQ

What is the most valuable nickel error coin?
The 1916 Doubled Die Obverse and the 1918/7-D overdate are the two most valuable Buffalo Nickel varieties. Both bring five figures in Mint State and more at the top end. The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo is more famous and more affordable, from about $500 in worn grades to $3,500–$9,000 in MS-63 to MS-64. Its auction record is $99,875 for a PCGS MS-66+ coin (Legend, 2021). All three are widely faked, so buy them certified.

How do I identify a 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo?
Check for the D mint mark under FIVE CENTS, then look at the bison's front right leg. On the genuine coin it is cleanly missing, not just weak, and a line of raised dots usually runs under the bison's belly. Coins with a leg ground away after minting show rough tool marks. Have any example you plan to pay real money for authenticated by PCGS or NGC.

Are War Nickels worth more than regular nickels?
Yes. War Nickels from 1942 to 1945 are 35% silver, so each one holds about $3.04 in silver at $54 an ounce (October 2026), even worn. Errors and varieties on War Nickels add their premium on top of that silver floor. Look for the large P, D or S mint mark above Monticello to identify one.

Is a 1944 nickel with no mint mark valuable?
No. Every genuine 1944 nickel has a mint mark above Monticello. The no-mint-mark 1944 nickels are counterfeits made in the 1950s by Francis LeRoy Henning, and they are collected only as curiosities. Check yours carefully before paying a premium for any “error” 1944.

Can I still find nickel errors in circulation?
Yes, for Jefferson Nickels. Bank rolls still turn up doubled dies, off-center strikes, laminations and the 2005-D Speared Bison. Buffalo and War Nickels rarely circulate today, so look for them at coin shows, estate sales and in dealer junk boxes, where errors are often priced as common coins.

What's the difference between a die variety and a mint error?
A die variety, such as the 1918/7-D overdate or the 1939 Doubled Monticello, comes from a flawed die, so every coin struck by that die shows it. A mint error, such as an off-center strike or broadstrike, is a one-time accident that affects a single coin. Both are collectible, but grading services list them differently on the holder.
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