At first glance, this coin makes you stop and think: Is it a nickel… or a penny?
This rare 1980 Jefferson nickel error has the color of a penny, the size of a smaller coin, and the wrong weight — and it recently sold for $325.
🔍 How to Identify This Error
Visual Clues:
- Copper Color – Looks like a penny rather than the standard nickel-silver tone
- Smaller Diameter – Parts of the date and lettering are cut off
- Back Design Issues – Reverse details appear closer to the rim than normal
Weight Check:
- Normal nickel: 5.00g
- Error coin: 3.11g – exactly the weight of a copper penny planchet
🧪 What Happened at the Mint?
This is a wrong planchet error.
In 1980, a copper penny blank (planchet) somehow ended up in the nickel press, and the machine struck the nickel design onto it.
- Year: 1980
- Coin Type: Jefferson Nickel
- Planchet Used: Copper 1¢ blank
- Result: Undersized, copper-colored nickel with incomplete design
💰 Market Value
While this coin sold for $325 ungraded, many collectors agree it could have brought $500+ if certified by a major grading company like PCGS or NGC.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Ungraded | $250–$350 |
| Certified MS60+ | $400–$600 |
| High-Grade MS65+ | $700+ |
📦 How to Certify Your Find
If you come across a similar error:
- Do not clean the coin – cleaning reduces value.
- Weigh the coin with a digital scale.
- Submit for grading at pcgs.com/submissions or NGC.
- Store in a mylar flip until shipped to the grader.
📝 Final Tip
Wrong planchet errors can occur with nickels, dimes, and quarters — and they’re always worth checking for.
This 1980 nickel on a penny planchet proves that even small change can turn into hundreds of dollars with a sharp eye.
