2020 Jefferson Nickel Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
Most 2020 Jefferson nickels pulled from pocket change are worth a modest premium over face value. Ordinary Philadelphia and Denver business strikes carry USA Coin Book guide estimates around $0.30 at MS60 and $0.61 at MS65.
The San Francisco proof sits at roughly $5.30 in PR65, while the two West Point collector issues command noticeably more. Exceptional condition or a genuine error variety can push value higher, but those cases need individual assessment.
Fast Way to Identify Your 2020 Jefferson Nickel
Snap clear photos of the front and back of your 2020 nickel and upload them here for a preliminary identification. Good lighting helps us read the mintmark and check the surface finish.
This step can narrow down which version you have and whether it is worth a closer look, though it is not a substitute for professional authentication or grading.
2020 Jefferson Nickel Value
Upload both sides of your 2020 Jefferson Nickel.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 2020 Jefferson Nickel Versions Are Worth Money?
- 2020-W Reverse Proof nickel, with a guide estimate of $22 at PR65, is the highest-valued standard version from this year.
- 2020-W Proof nickel carries a $15 guide estimate at PR65; it was a bonus coin packaged with the regular proof set.
- 2020-S Proof is worth roughly $5.30 at PR65, well above face value for a modern nickel.
- A confirmed doubled die reverse on a 2020-P nickel, showing extra thickness on Monticello's columns and lettering, requires individual assessment but is sought after by variety collectors.
- Major struck-through errors with interrupted design areas can carry significant premiums when authenticated.
Step 1: Identify Your 2020 Jefferson Nickel Mint Mark and Version
Start with the mintmark. Look below the date on the obverse: a small P means Philadelphia, D means Denver, S means San Francisco, and W means West Point.
Philadelphia and Denver coins are ordinary business strikes found in circulation. The S-mint version is a proof, struck for collectors with specially prepared dies that give the fields a mirror-like surface.
West Point produced two distinct finishes in 2020. The W proof has reflective fields similar to the S proof, while the W reverse proof flips the effect, giving the devices a reflective look against frosted fields.
Both are copper-nickel despite sometimes being packaged alongside silver coins. A planned W uncirculated version was canceled and does not exist.
All 2020 nickels share the same composition: 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter and a plain edge. The design features the forward-facing Jefferson portrait on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse.
Before consulting any price reference, confirm the exact mint and finish, because values differ sharply between a circulated P-mint coin and a West Point reverse proof.
Step 2: Check Your 2020 Jefferson Nickel Grade
Check Jefferson's raised cheekbone, hair detail above the ear, and the shoulder area first. These are the high points that show wear earliest.
A coin with no visible wear but scattered bag marks sits in the lower Mint State range, while a piece with pristine surfaces and strong luster grades higher.
On the reverse, inspect the steps of Monticello. Full Steps designation is separate from the numerical grade: a coin can be MS65 without Full Steps, or have sharp steps but enough contact marks to cap the grade.
Missing steps do not automatically signal an error; they usually reflect a softer strike.
For proofs, look at the fields under magnification. Hairlines from handling reduce the grade quickly.
Compare your coin against the reference image to calibrate what each condition level looks like on this specific design.
Step 3: Check 2020 Jefferson Nickel Value by Mint and Version
2020 Jefferson Nickel — P Business strike
The 2020-P business strike is the workhorse of this year's nickel production. Look for the small P mintmark below the date on the obverse.
This is the coin you will most often find in change.
USA Coin Book lists guide estimates of about $0.30 at MS60 and $0.61 at MS65. Those are retail guide anchors, not guaranteed sale prices.
A sharply struck example with clean surfaces could grade higher, so it is worth checking for contact marks and luster before assuming your coin is average.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF | XF 40 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| XF 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU | AU 50 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AU 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 64 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 65 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 66 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 67 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
2020 Jefferson Nickel — D Business strike
The 2020-D is the Denver Mint counterpart to the Philadelphia issue, and for practical purposes the two share the same value range. The D mintmark sits in the same position below the date.
Guide estimates from USA Coin Book put this coin at $0.30 in MS60 and $0.61 in MS65. Again, these are guide figures.
If your coin shows no wear and minimal marks, it could grade well into the Mint State range, but a typical roll coin will land somewhere in the low-to-mid MS grades.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF | XF 40 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| XF 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU | AU 50 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AU 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 64 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 65 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 66 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 67 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
2020 Jefferson Nickel — S Proof
The 2020-S proof was struck at the San Francisco Mint on specially prepared planchets with polished dies. You will recognize it by mirror-like fields and a sharp, frosted portrait.
It was sold in collector proof sets, not released into circulation.
Coin Value Lookup is a handy place to look up guide values for proof and business-strike nickels across many different years. If you are comparing your coin's finish to reference images, a quick search there can point you to the right guide.
USA Coin Book estimates approximately $5.30 at PR65. Condition matters here; hairlines from handling will pull the grade down quickly.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR | PR 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| PR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 3 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 4 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 8 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 12 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 20 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 40 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 50 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 60 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 62 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 63 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 64 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 65 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 66 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 67 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 68 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 69 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 70 | — | Coin Identifier |
2020 Jefferson Nickel — W Proof
The 2020-W Proof was a bonus coin included with the regular proof set from the United States Mint. It carries a W mintmark and features the same reflective-field proof finish as the S-mint proof, so confirming the mintmark is essential.
This coin is copper-nickel, not silver, even though the silver proof set from the same year also contained a W nickel. The guide estimate from USA Coin Book is about $15 at PR65.
Because it was only available inside a specific set, supply is limited compared to ordinary proof issues, and collector demand remains steady.
Reference scope: The table below covers 2020-W Deep Cameo Proof nickels carrying the First Strike certification designation. It is a label-specific reference, not a general price table for every 2020-W Proof nickel; the label can affect value.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PR PR 1
—
Coin Identifier
PR 2
—
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PR 3
—
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PR 4
—
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PR 6
—
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PR 8
—
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PR 10
—
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PR 12
—
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PR 15
—
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PR 20
—
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PR 25
—
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PR 30
—
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PR 35
—
Coin Identifier
PR 40
—
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PR 45
—
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PR 50
—
Coin Identifier
PR 53
—
Coin Identifier
PR 55
—
Coin Identifier
PR 58
—
Coin Identifier
PR 60
—
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PR 61
—
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PR 62
—
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PR 63
—
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PR 64
—
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PR 65
—
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PR 66
—
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PR 67
—
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PR 68
—
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PR 69
—
Coin Identifier
PR 70
—
Coin Identifier
2020 Jefferson Nickel — W Reverse Proof
The 2020-W Reverse Proof is the most distinctive finish among this year's nickels. Instead of reflective fields with frosted devices, the effect is inverted: the portrait and Monticello appear mirror-bright against frosted fields.
It is a striking visual difference once you know what to look for.
This coin was packaged as a bonus inside the 2020 silver proof set, but the nickel itself is standard copper-nickel. USA Coin Book places its guide estimate at roughly $22 at PR65, the highest of any standard 2020 nickel version.
Original packaging and documentation from the set can help confirm authenticity for buyers and graders alike.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PR PR 1
—
Coin Identifier
PR 2
—
Coin Identifier
PR 3
—
Coin Identifier
PR 4
—
Coin Identifier
PR 6
—
Coin Identifier
PR 8
—
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PR 10
—
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PR 12
—
Coin Identifier
PR 15
—
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PR 20
—
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PR 25
—
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PR 30
—
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PR 35
—
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PR 40
—
Coin Identifier
PR 45
—
Coin Identifier
PR 50
—
Coin Identifier
PR 53
—
Coin Identifier
PR 55
—
Coin Identifier
PR 58
—
Coin Identifier
PR 60
—
Coin Identifier
PR 61
—
Coin Identifier
PR 62
—
Coin Identifier
PR 63
—
Coin Identifier
PR 64
—
Coin Identifier
PR 65
—
Coin Identifier
PR 66
—
Coin Identifier
PR 67
—
Coin Identifier
PR 68
—
Coin Identifier
PR 69
—
Coin Identifier
PR 70
—
Coin Identifier
2020 Jefferson Nickel Error List
1. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Doubled die reverse
A documented doubled die reverse exists on the 2020-P Jefferson nickel. The doubling is visible on the columns, doorway, steps, pediment, and the semicircular window of Monticello.
The letters in TICELLO also show extra thickness and separation.
Under magnification, compare these areas to a normal 2020-P reverse. Genuine hub doubling produces consistent separation or notching across multiple design elements.
Flat, shelf-like distortion that runs in one direction is machine doubling, which is a far less significant manufacturing byproduct.
No supported price range is available for this variety. Value depends on the specific die pairing, the severity of the doubling, and the coin's overall condition.
Professional attribution from a grading service is the standard way to confirm this type of error.
2. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Major struck-through error
A major struck-through error has been documented on a 2020 Jefferson nickel and attributed by NGC. In this type of error, a foreign object sat between the die and the planchet during striking, leaving a depressed area where the design is interrupted or absent.
Examine both sides of your coin. Struck-through impressions typically show smooth, recessed zones with sharp boundaries, unlike post-mint gouges or abrasions, which tend to have rough, scraped surfaces and displaced metal.
The specific material that caused the obstruction on the documented specimen is not confirmed.
No adopted price range exists for this error. Premiums depend heavily on the size and location of the struck-through area, overall eye appeal, and whether the coin has been independently authenticated.
Each example warrants individual assessment.
3. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Doubled Die Obverse
Doubled die obverse varieties have been reported for the 2020 nickel. On the obverse, look for consistent separation or notching on the lettering and design elements, particularly under magnification and even lighting.
The key distinction is between a true hub-doubled die and machine doubling. Hub doubling produces symmetrical extra impressions that appear on every coin struck from that die.
Machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like distortion that looks washed out rather than sharply split. Reflections from die polish or worn die contours can also mimic doubling to the untrained eye.
No numerical price range is supported for this category. The value of any doubled die depends on which die pair produced it, how visible the doubling is, and the coin's condition.
Professional attribution is recommended before assigning a premium.
4. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Double / Multiple Strike
Double or multiple strike errors have been reported for the 2020 nickel. This happens when a coin fails to eject and receives a second impression from the dies.
The result is two distinct, often overlapping images of the design, sometimes rotated or offset from each other.
Look for a clearly separate second impression of Jefferson or Monticello. This is different from a doubled die, which shows minor separation within design elements on every coin from that die.
Post-mint damage, such as a coin jammed in a machine, can also create misleading impressions but usually lacks the sharp die detail of a genuine second strike.
No price range is adopted for this error. Value depends on the degree of displacement, whether the date remains visible, and overall condition.
Dramatic examples with full second impressions tend to attract stronger collector interest.
5. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Off-Center Strike
Off-center strikes have been reported for the 2020 nickel. When the planchet is not properly seated between the dies, part of the design is struck onto blank metal, leaving an unstruck crescent along one side.
The percentage of off-center displacement and whether the date is still readable are the two biggest factors collectors care about. A coin struck 5% off-center is a minor curiosity.
One struck 50% off-center with a full date visible is considerably more desirable.
Do not confuse this with a clipped planchet, which shows a curved or straight missing section with a characteristic weakness at the clip boundary. Post-mint flattening can also shift the appearance of the design but will not leave a genuine unstruck crescent.
No numerical price range is available; each off-center strike needs individual evaluation based on its specifics and condition.
6. 2020 Jefferson Nickel — Die Crack / Die Chip
Die crack and die chip errors have been reported on 2020 nickels. These occur when the steel die develops a fracture or loses a small piece of its face.
The crack transfers as a raised line on the struck coin, while a chip produces a small raised blob of extra metal.
Check your coin for thin raised lines running across the design or small lumps in unexpected places. A die crack that reaches the rim is sometimes called a cud and tends to draw more attention from collectors.
Interior chips in open fields are common and usually minor.
Do not confuse raised die cracks with incuse scratches, which are pressed into the surface rather than raised above it. Corrosion or foreign material stuck to the surface can also mimic a chip.
No price range is adopted for this category; value depends on size, location, and visual impact.
