These 1942-1945 Silver Jefferson Nickels Worth Big Money, Start Finding Yours

During World War II, America faced many shortages. One of those shortages was nickel, which was needed for military equipment like tanks and bullets.

To help with the war effort, the U.S. Mint made a big change to the five-cent coin. From 1942 to 1945, they stopped using nickel in Jefferson nickels. Instead, they used a mix of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese.

These coins became known as “war nickels.” They look like regular nickels, but the metal inside is different. They are a small but meaningful part of American history.

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Nickels Becoming So Popular

These old nickels are now getting a lot of attention from collectors and silver investors.

One big reason is the rise in silver prices. Even though these coins don’t have much silver, they still have value because of the metal inside. Each coin has about 0.056 ounces of silver, and that alone makes them worth more than five cents.

Another reason is their historical value. People love collecting things from World War II. These nickels are not just coins—they are a piece of the past. They show how the country came together to support the war in every way, even through small changes in coins.

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Unique Mintmarks Make Them Special

One of the things that makes these nickels easy to spot is their big mintmark. Normal nickels have a small letter to the right of Monticello on the back.

But war nickels have a large “P”, “D”, or “S” mintmark placed right above Monticello. The “P” stands for the Philadelphia Mint, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco. This was actually the first time the Philadelphia Mint used a mintmark on a U.S. coin. That alone makes them special for collectors.

Hard to Find in Great Condition

Even though millions of war nickels were made, it’s now hard to find them in really good shape. Many of these coins were used every day during the war. They passed through a lot of hands and got worn down. Over time, many were also melted to get the silver out, especially when silver prices went up.

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Because of that, coins in uncirculated or like-new condition are rare. If you have one that looks shiny and clean, it could be worth a lot more.

Collectors also look for nickels with “Full Steps.” That means you can clearly see all the steps on the Monticello building on the back of the coin. These are even more valuable and can sell for hundreds of dollars.

Nickels Worth

The value of a silver war nickel depends on how good it looks and whether it has any rare errors. If your coin has been used a lot, it might be worth between $1.50 and $5. This value mainly comes from the silver inside.

If your coin looks new and has not been used, it could be worth $10 to $50. If your coin has Full Steps or a special error like the 1943-P 3-over-2 overdate or the 1945-P doubled die reverse, it could be worth over $1,000.

War Nickel

Not sure if your nickel is a war nickel? Don’t worry. It’s pretty easy to find out. First, look at the year. War nickels were only made from 1942 to 1945. If your coin has a different year, it’s not a silver nickel. Second, flip the coin and look at the back. Check above the Monticello building. If you see a large “P”, “D”, or “S” there, that means it’s a silver war nickel.

Another fun test is using a magnet. War nickels are not magnetic. Regular nickels are. So if your coin sticks to a magnet, it’s not silver.

Sell These Coins

If you own one or more war nickels, you might be thinking about what to do with them.

If your coins are in very good condition, you might want to keep them. You can also send them to a coin grading service like PCGS or NGC. They will check the coin, grade it, and give it a score. Coins with high scores are worth more money.

If you’re looking to sell, now might be a good time. Many collectors and investors are buying war nickels because of rising silver prices and their historical value. But remember, prices can go up and down over time. So it’s a personal choice—keep them for the history, or sell them for the value.

Coin With a Big Story

War nickels are more than just money. They are a small piece of American history. During the war, people gave up many things to help the country. Even small changes, like the metal in a coin, played a part in the larger effort. These coins remind us of that time.

They show how the country pulled together to win the war. That makes them more than just coins. They are symbols of strength and sacrifice.

Conclusion

People love collecting things from the past. These nickels are perfect for beginners and serious collectors alike.

They are not too expensive to start with, and they carry a lot of meaning. If you find one in an old jar, don’t toss it away. You could be holding a little treasure from the 1940s. As more people learn about war nickels, their value and popularity keep growing.

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