1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel Value Guide

The 1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel, commonly known as the 'War Nickel,' is a unique piece of American history minted to conserve nickel for military armor plating. These coins are highly collectible as they represent the only time in U.S. history that the five-cent piece contained 35% silver and featured a large mint mark above Monticello.

What affects the value of 1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel?

• Current market price of silver, as each coin contains approximately 0.05626 troy ounces of pure silver.
• The presence of 'Full Steps' on the base of Monticello, which significantly increases value for numismatic collectors.
• Overall strike quality and preservation, with uncirculated specimens fetching higher premiums than the $1.50-$1.65 base melt value.
• Specific mint year and location, with certain dates like the 1943-P 3 over 2 variety commanding much higher prices.

How to Identify 1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel?

• Look for a large mint mark (P, D, or S) located directly above the dome of Monticello on the reverse side.
• Verify the date falls between mid-1942 and 1945; 1942 nickels without the large mint mark are the standard copper-nickel composition.
• Check for the first-ever use of the 'P' mint mark on a U.S. coin, signifying production at the Philadelphia Mint.
• Observe the distinct darker or yellowish tarnish often found on circulated silver-manganese-copper alloy coins compared to standard nickels.

History of 1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickel

Commonly known as War Nickels, these coins were produced from mid-1942 through 1945 to conserve nickel for military use in armor plating. They are distinguished by a large mint mark (P, D, or S) placed above the dome of Monticello on the reverse side. This was the first time the letter P was used as a mint mark on any U.S. coin.