Henning Nickel Value Guide

The Henning Nickel is a legendary counterfeit Jefferson nickel produced by Francis LeRoy Henning in the mid-1950s. It is highly collectible today because Henning famously omitted the large 'P' mint mark on his 1944-dated dies, a feature present on all genuine silver wartime nickels.

What Is Henning Nickel Worth?

The typical price range for Henning Nickel is $135 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition and wear, with higher prices for specimens that haven't been heavily circulated or damaged.
• The presence of the distinctive 'R' die marker which confirms it as a genuine Henning production.
• Historical provenance, particularly if the coin was recovered from the Copper Creek dump site in New Jersey.
• Current market demand for contemporary counterfeits within the numismatic community.

How to Identify Henning Nickel?

• Check for the absence of a large 'P' mint mark above Monticello on the reverse of a 1944-dated coin.
• Look for a small 'loop' or 'hole' in the base of the 'R' in the word 'PLURIBUS'.
• Observe the surface texture, which often appears slightly porous or 'pimpled' compared to genuine US Mint strikes.
• Test the weight and composition; these contain copper, nickel, and iron rather than the silver alloy used in 1944.

History of Henning Nickel

Francis LeRoy Henning manufactured approximately 500,000 counterfeit nickels in 1954 and 1955. He famously made a mistake on his 1944-dated dies by omitting the large 'P' mint mark above Monticello, which all genuine silver wartime nickels required. After being caught, he dumped many of the remaining coins into Copper Creek in New Jersey. These counterfeits are now highly sought after by numismatists as historical curiosities.