The rare war nickels are five-cent coins issued by the United States Mint from 1942 to 1945. They are composed of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese and feature a large mintmark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse (tails) side of the coin.
These coins are commonly called “war nickels” because they were produced during World War II, when nickel was a strategically important metal and subject to rationing. The mint mark on the reverse was intended to prevent the coins from being melted for the nickel metal that is used in the coin.
The war nickel series is considered rare due to the extremely small mintage of two-tailed silver coins minted at the Philadelphia branch in 1945. Only a handful of these coins were produced, but it is estimated that as few as two specimens exist.
Additionally, some 1945 silver coins appear to have rotated dies, although it is difficult to be certain due to the small mintage. These coins can typically sell for thousands of dollars in the current market.
Other varieties of war nickles include the 1942-1945 coins minted with a special “P” mint mark, place over the dome of Monticello. These coins were intended to be used in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, and they display a clearly visible “P” on the reverse.
These coins are also rare and highly sought after.
In addition to the regular-minted coins and the “P” variety coins, several errors have been reported in the war nickel series, such as coins with excessive abrasion or doubling, as well as some varieties with a “D” mint mark.
These coins are highly collectible and also quite rare.
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Which war nickels are worth money?
War Nickels, also called Wartime Nickels, are five-cent coins minted from 1942 to 1945. They are composed of copper and manganese and are nickel in color. These coins feature a large “P” mintmark and the MONETA in Latin on the reverse side and a prominent “V” for “victory” lettering on the obverse.
Many of these coins are worth money today. War Nickels from 1942 are worth the most and can cost collectors in the range of $1 to over $20 or more. Higher grades cost even more. War Nickels from 1943 are almost as valuable and can cost around $0.
75 up to $15, depending on condition. War Nickels from 1944, 1945 and the scarce 1945-S are also worth money, ranging from around $0. 20 to over $20 depending on condition.
Common dates in lower condition (less than “Fine” grade) are worth face value and are a great way to start a collection. There are also some rare varieties of the War Nickel worth money, including the 1942/I, 1945-D over P and 1945-S/S coins.
For example, the 1942/I can be worth around $40 to $50 in lower grades or even more in higher grades.
Overall, War Nickels can be a great way to start a coin collection as there are many dates and varieties that are worth money. While some of the most valuable are worth hundreds of dollars, it can still be possible to find some very desirable coins at a fraction of their value.
What war nickels to look for?
There are several types of War Nickels to look for depending on what type of coin collector you are.
Those who are interested in collectible coins should look for vintage coins, such as the Jefferson Nickel first issued in 1938. This coin features a bust of President Thomas Jefferson on one side and the “Monticello” manor on the reverse.
Such as a rarer second release from 1942 that features “V” amidst the stars and a different version from 1945 that does not have any mint marks.
For those more focused on modern coins, the “War Nickels” from 1942-1945 are a great option. These coins are composed of 56% copper and 35% silver and feature the same bust of President Jefferson from the earlier issue, but with the “V” inscribed beneath the shoulder.
These coins are very popular because of their silver content, which is much higher than other coins from the era.
Finally, for coin collectors seeking rare coins, the 1944-D Jefferson War Nickel could be an interesting piece to look for. This coin was minted at the Denver Mint in 1944, and features a distinct “D” mint mark beneath the wreath on the reverse.
This makes the coin much harder to find than the other wartime nickels and the unique mark can significantly increase its value.
Regardless, any of these War Nickels are a great option for coin collectors of any level, as they are relatively easy to find and all feature unique characteristics that can make them great additions to any collection.
How much are my war nickels worth?
The value of your war nickels will depend on their condition, mint mark, and date. Generally speaking, most circulated war nickels (1942-1945) are worth 5-10 cents each. However, some can be worth much more depending on the aforementioned factors.
For example, if you have a 1942-S, 1943-D, or 1944-S war nickel in extra fine condition, it could be worth $1-$2. If you have a 1945-S war nickel in mint condition, it could be worth up to $50, and if you have a rare key date 1942/1 overdate nickel in mint condition, its value could exceed $4,000.
Therefore, it would be a good idea to have your war nickels authenticated and professionally graded by a reputable third party service. This would provide you with an accurate assessment of their condition, which would help determine their worth.
What is the value of 1942 to 1945 nickels?
The value of 1942 to 1945 nickels depends on their condition and the specific design. Most 1942-1945 nickels were minted from 35% silver and the remaining metal being copper. If the coin has a worn out date or mint mark, it may only be worth face value.
However, if the coin is uncirculated, it could be worth up to $3. 00 to $4. 00 or more. The 1942 to 1945 nickel coins were issued in two varieties: (1) the Jefferson Head Nickels with the portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse and (2) the silver war nickels whose composition was changed to include an alloy of silver, with the obverse featuring a large “V” surrounded by stars and the reverse featuring an image of an American fasces.
The silver war nickels are the more valuable of the two varieties. In circulated condition they can be worth up to 50 cents while uncirculated specimens can fetch up to $3. 00 or more depending on the condition of the coin.
What makes a 1943 P nickel rare?
The 1943 P nickel is rare for a few reasons. First, it is the only U. S. nickel minted that year with a “P” mintmark, meaning it was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. Most other 1943 nickels were minted at the Denver and San Francisco Mints and do not have a mintmark.
Second, there are only two known composition varieties of the 1943 P nickel, one with a 35% silver and 65% copper composition, and the other with a 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese composition.
This means the 1943 P nickel is rarer than other dates and mints of the war-time nickels, as it is the only nickel minted that year in two different compositions. Lastly, a few 1943 P nickels were made with a small number of errors.
These errors, such as misaligned dies and double-strikings, make these coins even rarer than others.
What 1940s nickels are valuable?
Several 1940s nickels are quite valuable to coin collectors. The 1941 Jefferson Nickel is especially desirable due to its low mintage, with only 8,816,000 coins being produced. The 1941-S Jefferson Nickel is also highly sought after, with only 1,645,000 coins minted.
The 1942 Nickel is another rare piece, with only 8,143,000 coins released. The 1942-S Nickel is much more rare with only 4,620,000 coins produced. Certain 1942-P nickels are valuable too, due to a rare doubled die.
The 1943-S Nickel is one of the most prized coins from this period with only 7,560,000 coins minted. Finally, the 1945-S Jefferson Nickel is highly desirable, as it is the last nickel to be minted at the San Francisco mint.
What’s so special about the 1945 nickel?
The 1945 nickel is a special nickel because it is a extremely rare coin that has a unique history. The coin itself is unique as it was minted in Denver, while the majority of 1945 nickels were made in Philadelphia.
The most significant aspect of the 1945 nickel is that it contains 35% Silver. This is unique amongst nickels, as all other nickels contain only 25% Silver and 75% Copper. This silver content gives the coin a much higher value than regular nickels.
The coin was made remarkable because the condition it was in when it was found. In 1945, a few of the coins were accidentally made of the wrong alloy, made with the leftover Silver from World War II.
This mistake was only noticed after a few coins had already been placed into circulation. One of these coins eventually made its way into a private collection, who to this day has kept the coin safe against all odds.
The coin was believed to have been held by a soldier from World War II, who never knew of its rarity or value. Since its rarity, the coin has been sold for upwards of $155,000 USD, making it the one of the most valuable nickels in the world.
Are all 1943 nickels silver?
No, not all 1943 nickels are silver. In 1943, the US Mint produced two types of nickels, one made of silver and one made of nickel. The silver nickels are typically referred to as War Nickels because the metal used to make them was necessary to help support America’s allies in the Second World War.
The silver war nickels have a large ‘P’ in the middle of the reverse side of the coin. The other kind of nickel minted in 1943 is composed of copper, manganese, and nickel, and is referred to as the Jefferson Nickel.
It is much more common today than the silver war nickel and can easily be identified by the lack of the ‘P’ on the reverse side.
How much silver is in a 1943 S nickel?
A 1943 S nickel contains 35% silver and 65% copper. This is because the United States Mint stopped producing nickels made of pure nickel during World War II due to a shortage of the metal. In order to make up for the shortage, the United States Mint began to mint coins with a composition of 35% silver and 65% copper.
This means that the 1943 S nickel contains 0. 05626 troy ounces of silver and 0. 0437 troy ounces of copper.
What is the error on a wartime 1943 P nickel?
The wartime 1943 P nickel is a coin struck by the United States Mint made out of an alloy of copper and zinc. The alloy was produced as a result of copper shortages due to the demands of World War II.
While the 1943 P nickels are considered collectible coins, they do not carry much mint error value due to their consistent production standards. The nickels were engineered with a high level of precision and have very few if any errors.
The common error found on a 1943 P nickel is a die chip on the rim, which can be seen with the use of a magnifying glass. While these die chips don’t add much to the coin’s value, they are still considered an error and can be noted by expert Numismatists.
Other errors sometimes found on these coins are die cracks, repunched mint marks, and off-center strikes. However, these errors are rare and the vast majority of 1943 P nickels appear with standard production characteristics.
Is there a 1943 steel nickel?
Yes, the 1943 steel nickel is one of the most sought-after coins in United States history. It was made during World War II when metal was needed for the war effort, so the government decided to make a steel version of the nickel instead of the usual copper-nickel combination.
The 1943 steel nickel is considered rare, with only a few million of them ever issued. Because of its rarity, it is highly sought after by coin collectors and has a relatively high value. The coin is often counterfeited, so extra caution should be taken when attempting to purchase one of these coins.
How can you tell if a nickel is rare?
First, look for coins with values higher than five cents. Nickels that are dated before 1920 are usually worth more than that, and some may even be worth thousands of dollars. It is also important to look for coins with mint marks from obscure mints, as these can often be quite rare and valuable.
Additionally, look for coins where some of the details on the reverse side are missing or faint due to wear, as these coins can also be quite rare and valuable. Finally, research the mintage numbers for each coin and look for coins that were not produced in high numbers, usually those coins are much more rare.
Collectors often look for coins in higher grades too—grades such as MS-63 or higher on the Sheldon Grading Scale.
