2013 Jefferson Nickel Errors: Value Guide & Rare Varieties

Over 1.2 billion 2013 Jefferson nickels were minted — yet a small fraction are worth serious money. The 2013-P WDDO-003 doubled die is a confirmed “Best Of” variety selling for $20–$150+, and pristine Full Steps examples top $500 in top certified grades. Before you spend that nickel, check our 2013 Jefferson nickel value guide for baseline prices, then use this page to hunt for errors and varieties.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Specifications & Mintage

2013 Nickel Mintage by Mint

For complete baseline values by grade without errors, see our full 2013 Jefferson nickel value guide.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Quick Checks: What Makes Yours Valuable?

Grab a 10x loupe (a magnifying glass made for coins — available for a few dollars online) and work through these checks. The first three can add real money; the last two are traps that fool thousands of sellers every year.

Machine doubling (left) is flat and shelf-like. Genuine DDO (right) shows rounded, raised secondary images with notched serifs.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Errors & Values: Complete Reference Chart

2013 Jefferson Nickel Jackpots: Detailed Variety & Error Guide

The Philadelphia mint is the source of all confirmed major doubled die varieties for the 2013 nickel. These were created by the Single Squeeze hubbing process: as the master hub pressed into the die blank at high pressure, the blank could shift slightly before snapping into alignment. This dragging motion left a doubled impression in the die steel itself, which then transferred to every coin struck from that die.

2013-P WDDO-003 Doubled Die Obverse (“Best Of”)

Die Variety — Class VIII Tilted Hub Doubling

Value: $20–$40 (raw, attributed) | $75–$150+ (MS65–MS66 certified)

Scarce — Best Of

Normal LIBERTY lettering (left) vs. WDDO-003 with characteristic notched, split serifs on the L and I (right).

Origin & Background

WDDO-003 is the flagship variety for the 2013 date, designated “Best Of” by the Wexler Doubled Die Files — meaning it shows the most significant doubling discoverable for this year. Under the Single Squeeze process, the die blank tilted slightly as the hub made contact (Class VIII: Tilted Hub Doubling), then snapped into full alignment. The drag left a doubled impression in the die steel that appeared on every coin struck from that die.

How to Identify

• LIBERTY: Spread and notching on the serifs (small feet at letter bases), especially on the “L” and “I”. This is the primary visual diagnostic.
• IN GOD WE TRUST: Doubling visible on the motto lettering.
• Date “2013” and “P” mint mark: Slight doubling present on both.
• Jefferson's right eye: Extra detail or doubling in the eye and hair near the right ear — a hallmark of true hub doubling that machine doubling cannot replicate.
• Obverse die gouge marker: A raised bump to the lower left of the “L” in LIBERTY. This is the fingerprint that conclusively identifies WDDO-003.
• Second obverse marker: Die gouge in the hair above and to the left of the ear.
• Reverse die markers: Die gouge to the left of the “F” in FIVE CENTS; second gouge above the small left window of Monticello.

The die gouge marker (raised bump) to the lower left of the L in LIBERTY — the definitive fingerprint of WDDO-003.

False Positives to Avoid

Machine doubling is the primary impostor. It appears as a flat, shelf-like shadow that shears letter corners and makes letters look narrower. True WDDO-003 doubling is rounded and raised, making letters look fatter with notched serifs. When in doubt, locate the die gouge marker to the lower left of the “L” in LIBERTY — machine doubling cannot replicate a die-specific marker.

Market Values

• 💰 Circulated, attributed raw: $20–$40
• 🏅 MS65–MS66 certified: $75–$150+
• 📋 Population data is thin for certified examples; market premiums may vary significantly.

Auction Record

No single headline auction record is published for this variety in major house records. Raw examples on eBay's verified sold listings show prices of $20–$30, with properly attributed examples commanding higher premiums.

2013-P WDDO-001 Doubled Die Obverse

Die Variety — Minor

Value: $5–$15 (uncirculated)

Uncommon

WDDO-001 doubling localized on the lower right of Jefferson's nose (red circle).

Origin & Background

WDDO-001 is a secondary Philadelphia variety, less dramatic than the flagship WDDO-003. The doubling is localized to Jefferson's nose rather than spread across the lettering, making it subtler and requiring die marker confirmation for confident attribution.

How to Identify

• Doubling on the lower right side of Jefferson's nose — the primary visual diagnostic.
• Obverse die marker: Short die gouge to the left of the “N” in IN (part of IN GOD WE TRUST).
• Reverse die marker: Die gouge inside the small right window of Monticello.

False Positives to Avoid

Die deterioration causes general softness across Jefferson's facial features as dies age and wear. Unlike WDDO-001's specific directional doubling at the nose tip, die deterioration affects the whole face with overall mushiness. The die marker gouges are essential for a confident attribution.

Market Values

• 💰 Uncirculated: $5–$15
• 📋 Typically traded as a “minor variety” and most often sold raw in numismatic circles.

Auction Record

No specific auction record is published for this variety.

2013-P/D MS67+ Full Steps — The Grade Premium

Left: Monticello steps with lines merging at a point (not Full Steps). Right: All step lines cleanly separated (Full Steps quality).

What Full Steps Means

Monticello's portico features a set of horizontal steps. Because 2013 nickels were struck by the billions and tumbled together in bags, the delicate step lines are routinely flattened by coin-on-coin contact (“bag chatter”). A Full Steps coin survived with all step lines fully defined and separated. Finding one is a challenge of volume: you may examine hundreds of uncirculated examples before finding a qualifier.

How to Identify

• Under magnification, count the horizontal lines of Monticello's steps from bottom to top.
• All 5 or 6 lines must be completely separated with no merging anywhere along their length.
• No contact marks (bag marks) may cross any step line.
• The coin must be fully uncirculated with complete original mint luster.
• PCGS designates “FS” for at least 5 full steps. NGC distinguishes “5FS” from the harder-to-achieve “6FS,” which commands an additional premium.

False Positives to Avoid

Partial steps where lines merge at any point do not qualify — even one weak spot fails. A single contact mark crossing the steps disqualifies Full Steps. The grade jump from MS66 FS ($25–$40) to MS67 FS ($65–$130) often hinges on a single bag mark on Jefferson's cheek. Submit only coins that look flawless under 5x magnification.

Market Values

• 🏅 MS65 FS: $15–$25
• 🏅 MS66 FS: $25–$40
• 💠 MS67 FS: $65–$130 (investment grade)
• 👑 MS68 FS: $500+ (registry class)

Auction Record

No single headline auction record for MS68 FS is published in the research records for this date.

2013 Striking Errors: Broadstrike & Off-Center

Left: Broadstrike — wider coin, no raised rim. Right: Off-center strike — smooth blank crescent and shifted design.

Broadstrike

Occurs when the retaining collar (the ring that shapes the coin's edge and controls diameter) fails to deploy. Metal spreads outward beyond 21.20 mm, and the design extends to the edge with no raised rim. Verify with calipers. Value: $10–$25.

Off-Center Strike

The planchet (blank coin disc) was not centered under the die when struck, leaving one side normal and the other a smooth blank crescent. Values increase with the percentage of offset: $15–$50 for 10–20% off-center; $50+ for 50%+ off-center with the date still visible. Major off-centers are rare due to modern quality control systems.

Struck Through Grease

Grease filling the die blocks part of the design impression, resulting in missing or mushy lettering or a weak date. Common and typically low value: $1–$5 unless the obstruction is massive and dramatically visible.

False Positives to Avoid

Coins run over by vehicles or hammered flat can look like broadstrikes. Post-mint damaged coins often have scraped or irregular edges. Genuine striking errors must retain full mint luster to confirm the damage occurred at the Mint during production — not afterward in circulation.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Error Traps: What's NOT Valuable

These three patterns appear constantly on online marketplaces — often listed for $100+ — and are worth face value in every case. Learn to recognize them instantly.

Normal 2013 nickel (left) vs. acid-damaged nickel (right) — red color, rough surface, and lighter weight reveal the damage.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Grading: What Grade Means for Value

The difference between MS65 (~$15) and MS67 ($65–$130) is often a single contact mark on Jefferson's cheek.

For the 2013 nickel, grade is the primary value driver for non-variety coins. A coin that is slightly worn is worth 5¢. The same coin in perfect, uncirculated condition with Full Steps can be worth $65–$130 or more. Three concepts explain almost all value differences:

1. The Full Steps Hurdle

The biggest value jump is not from MS65 to MS67 — it's from “no FS designation” to “Full Steps.” The Monticello step lines are destroyed by normal bag contact during bulk production. A coin with five or six perfectly separated step lines is rare simply by surviving the minting and bagging process intact.

2. The MS67 Cliff

An MS66 FS is worth $25–$40. An MS67 FS is worth $65–$130. The difference is often a single contact mark on Jefferson's cheek, in his hair, or in the fields. This microscopic gap means you must inspect candidates under 5x magnification before paying for submission. The difference between the two is often invisible without magnification — but the market prices it sharply.

3. PCGS vs. NGC Full Steps Distinctions

PCGS designates simply “FS” (Full Steps) for coins with at least 5 full steps. NGC goes further, distinguishing “5FS” (five full steps) from “6FS” (six full steps). The 6FS designation is significantly harder to earn and commands an additional market premium. If submitting to NGC, aim for coins where all six step lines are pristine under magnification.

2013 Jefferson Nickel: When & How to Get Certified

Professional third-party grading (TPG) by PCGS or NGC encapsulates your coin in a tamper-evident holder (“slab”) with the grade and any variety designation. Here's when certification makes financial sense for a 2013 nickel:

For in-person variety authentication, consult an American Numismatic Association (ANA) member dealer or a PCGS/NGC-authorized dealer. Specific dealer listings are not available in the current data source.

2013 Jefferson Nickel Errors: Frequently Asked Questions

2013 Jefferson Nickel: Research Sources & Methodology

This guide synthesizes technical specifications, variety diagnostics, and market data from the following authoritative sources:

• PCGS CoinFacts — 2013-P 5C FS: Specifications, population data, and grade-based values.
• PCGS CoinFacts — 2013-S 5C DCAM (Proof): Proof specifications and values.
• Brian's Variety Coins — 2013 Nickel Doubled Die Listings: WDDO-001, WDDO-002, WDDO-003 diagnostics, die markers, and market values.
• Variety Vista — 2013-P DDR-001 and 2013-P DDR-003: Reverse variety cataloging.
• NGC Coin Explorer — 2013-D 5C MS: Grade-based value and population data.
• NGC — Double Dies vs. Machine Doubling: Educational reference for variety identification standards.
• Heritage Auctions — 1913 Liberty Nickel sale record: Historical context for the 2013 numismatic landscape.

Values reflect market conditions as of January 2026. All prices are typical retail estimates and may vary based on eye appeal, population reports, individual buyer premiums, and market conditions at time of sale.