The most valuable 1942 nickel is the 1942-S “over mint mark” nickel. This nickel has the “S” mint mark from the San Francisco Mint punched over an earlier “D” mint mark from the Denver Mint. It is unique and highly sought after by collectors and attracts an extremely high price.
According to the Professional Coin Grading Service, a 1942-S “over mint mark” nickel that was graded at XF-40 (Extremely Fine-40) sold at auction in 2015 for over $100,000! There are also other 1942 nickel varieties that can be valuable, such as the low mintage 1942-D nickel, the very rare 1942/1 overdate, and the rare 1942/41 doubled die variety.
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Is there anything special about a 1942 nickel?
Yes, 1942 nickels are special because they were produced after the US government asked the mint to suspend production of the 5-cent pieces and focus their efforts on producing war materials. Therefore, the 1942 nickels are considered to be rare and their mintage was much lower than other years.
The 1942 nickel is composed of silver and has a raised, minted outline of the steps of the U. S. Capitol on the reverse. Additionally, the 1942 nickels were the first 5-cent coins to bear the mint mark “P” on the reverse side and the last to bear the Monticello design.
Due to their timeless design, these coins are not only popular amongst numismatists, but sought after by all generations of collectors. Despite the limited circulation of these nickels, a few were saved by savvy individuals and can be obtained, however, their value can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the condition.
What makes a 1942 nickel valuable?
The 1942 nickel is a particularly valuable coin due to its production history. In 1942, the majority of nickels produced were composed of 35% silver and the remaining 65% was made of copper and manganese.
This particular combination of metals was used because the U. S. Mint wanted to conserve nickel and copper, which were both used as a part of World War II efforts. This nickel composition of 35% silver was only used until 1945, making this particular nickel rarer than most.
It is possible to find these coins in circulation, though they are valuable and highly sought after by collectors. In general, an average 1942 nickel has an approximate value of around $6 to $10 dollars in its current condition.
However, if more specific qualities such as its condition, mint mark, and its weight are taken into consideration, then the 1942 nickel may be worth significantly more.
How can you tell if a 1942 nickel is silver?
If you are trying to determine whether a 1942 nickel is silver, you should closely inspect the coin. If the coin is silver, it will be only partially silver and have “W” stamped on the back. The “W” indicates that the coin is made from a mix of 35 percent silver, 56 percent copper, and 9 percent manganese.
Additionally, the word “war” or “wartime” should be visible to the lower left of Monticello on the back of the nickel. Otherwise, the coin is made of a copper-nickel alloy and does not contain any silver.
To further confirm whether a 1942 nickel is silver, you should weigh it carefully. Uncirculated silver nickels will weigh approximately 5. 000 grams, while copper-nickel alloy nickels will weigh only slightly less at 4.
670 grams. Additionally, you can use a magnet to determine the nickel’s composition. Silver nickels will not be attracted to a magnet, while copper-nickel alloy nickels will be attracted to a method.
Are all 1942 nickels 35% silver?
No, not all 1942 nickels are 35% silver. The United States Mint released two varieties of nickels in 1942: one made with silver, which contained 35% silver, and one made with an alloy of copper, manganese and silver, which contained no silver.
During that year, the U. S. Mint also released the “War-Time” or silver-only nickel. Even if the coins appear to be the same, the only way to know for sure if a 1942 nickel contains silver is by examining its metal content.
Which war nickel is the rarest?
The rarity of war nickels varies greatly, depending on the specific issue and condition of the coin. Many of the war nickels minted during World War II are considered to be the rarest, with some of the key dates in the series being the 1942 overdated coins, the 1945-S over mint mark coins, and the 1944-S Micro S coins.
The 1942 Overdate War nickel commands the highest premium in terms of value, with the 1945-S Over mintmark and 1944-S Micro S coins coming in second and third, respectively. As with any coin, the condition of the coin is a major factor when determining its rarity and value, so coins graded as Mint State-65 or better are likely to command a significant premium over lesser quality coins.
Additionally, coins that carry the Full Steps designation or that have been certified as Full Bands (FB) will also command a significant premium in most cases.
Are there 1942 nickels that are not silver?
Yes, there are 1942 nickels that are not silver. The United States Mint minted two different kinds of five-cent coins in 1942, and neither of them were made from silver. The first type was the regular issue Jefferson nickel, which was composed of a 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy.
The other type of nickel minted in 1942 was a special war-time nickel that was composed of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese. This special alloy was used as a measure to conserve nickel and other strategic materials that were needed for military operations during World War II.
How much is a 1942 nickel worth today?
A 1942 nickel is typically worth between $0. 35 to $3. 00, depending on the condition of the coin and its rarity. A 1942 nickel in average condition can usually be bought or sold for around $1. 00. A 1942 nickel in certified Mint State condition can bring as much as $3.
00. As a historical coin, its real value lies in its collectible value. Factors such as date, mintmark, and condition as well as the overall rarity of the coin determine its collectible value. Coins in certified Mint State condition with high mint luster and minimal signs of wear are especially desirable to collectors.
Is a 1942 no mint mark nickel silver?
No, a 1942 nickel is not silver. Since nickel was a critical component of the war effort in 1942, it was made mostly out of copper-colored metal. The Jefferson nickel was composed of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese.
The 1941 and 1942 nickels are the only two years of the Jefferson series that do not have a mint mark. These nickels were made at all five mints, but the mint marks were simply not included on the coins.
Is 1942 nickel no mint mark value?
The 1942 nickel with no mint mark (or un-mintmarked) is an important coin in the eyes of many numismatists due to its scarcity and relatively low mintage. Depending on the condition of the coin, it can have a value ranging from a couple of dollars to several hundred dollars.
The tone, luster, and overall eye appeal of the coin are also taken into consideration when assessing its value. It is important to remember though that most of these coins have been in circulation for some time and their condition has likely been impacted by their wear and tear from handling and time spent in circulation.
It should also be noted that, although 1942 nickels without a mint mark are generally more valuable than nickels with a mint mark, coins minted at the Denver and San Francisco mints do typically have more value than coins minted at the Philadelphia mint.
With that said, no matter where the coin was minted, coins with a higher grade (MS64 and up) will carry a higher value than those with a lower grade (MS63 and below).
What does it mean if a nickel has no mint mark?
If a nickel has no mint mark, it means that the coin was minted at the main facility of the United States Mint in Philadelphia. All coins produced in the Philadelphia facility lack a mint mark, which are used to signify the location of production (such as D for Denver, S for San Francisco, etc).
Nickels minted in Philadelphia since 1968 have been composed of copper and nickel, although earlier production utilized only copper.
Is a nickel from 1942 worth anything?
Yes, a nickel from 1942 is definitely worth something, depending on its condition. Generally speaking, an uncirculated 1942 nickel is worth around 25 cents in well-worn condition. If the condition is very good or better it can be worth up to $2.
50 or more. A 1942 nickel that has been circulated may only be worth 5 to 10 cents. The exact value is determined by a combination of factors including the current Bullion price, its condition, and grade, as well as its availability in the marketplace.
Rare dates and mint marks can also affect the value. If you’re looking to sell a 1942 nickel, it is always best to get it appraised first for the most accurate value.
