Nickels minted in the United States between 1942 and 1945 are made of 35% silver. These are commonly known as “silver war nickels.” Normally all other nickels are composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
What were nickels made of in 1942?
While 1942 began with the United States minting five-cent coins with the typical 25% nickel, 75% copper composition, a change was made late in the year to help ration nickel. This resulted in a new metal mixture, often referred to as the “wartime nickel” alloy. It is 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese.
How much is a 1942 silver war nickel worth?
The 1942 – 1945 Silver Jefferson Nickels, a junk silver coin, contains 35% silver which is 0.0563 troy ounces….1942 – 1945 Silver Jefferson (War) Nickels: Investor’s Junk Silver Guide.
| Year | Mintage | Numismatic Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 P | 57,873,000 | $1.00 – $95.00 |
| 1942 S | 32,900,000 | $1.00 – $150.00 |
| 1943 P | 271,165,000 | $0.90 – $120.00 |
| 1943 D | 15,294,000 | $1.25 – $1,100.00 |
Is a 1942 nickel worth any money?
1942-D Jefferson Nickel Value The 1942-D nickel with regular copper-nickel alloy is much scarcer than its Philadelphia-minted counterpart. Only 13,938,000 were made and they are particularly scarce in uncirculated condition. Circulated pieces are worth about $1 to $2, while Mint State examples trade for $25 and up.
What is a 1942 nickels worth?
CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1942 Jefferson Nickel value at an average of 45 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $75. (see details)…
What was the composition of nickel in 1942?
On March 27, 1942, with authorization from Congress, the material composition of the five-cent piece was changed from 75% copper / 25% nickel to 56% copper/ 35% silver / 9%manganese. In October of 1942 this new alloy was first used in the striking of nickels.
What was the composition of the silver war nickels?
These coins were made of an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese rather than 75% copper and 25% nickel as the coins had been made since 1866. So why was the metallic composition of the coins changed? Copper and especially nickel were both metals with strategic uses for the war and were more valuable than silver at the time.
Where did the Jefferson nickels come from in 1942?
The Denver Mint had completed its allotted run of nickels before the change had been made. In 1942, the San Francisco and the Philadelphia Mints were the only mints to strike the new alloy Jefferson nickels, nicknamed “War nickels”.
Why was there no nickel in World War 2?
Earlier in 1942, on March 27, a law was enacted that called for completely eliminating nickel from five-cent coins, suggesting the coins be made of 50% silver and 50% copper. This plan would have saved 435 tons of nickel and copper for the war effort, but technical problems were encountered.
