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How can you tell a war nickel?

A war nickel is a United States five-cent coin first minted in 1942. War nickels can be identified by the large S mintmark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse side of the coin. The S was used to designate that the coins were minted at the San Francisco branch of the United States Mint.

This is different from the normal Philadelphia-minted coins, which did not carry a mintmark. Additionally, the metal composition of war nickels was different than the traditional cheery nickel. War nickels were made of a combination of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese.

This composition is noticeably darker than the traditional nickel. War nickels were minted for circulation from 1942 until 1945.

How do I know if I have a silver war nickel?

Identifying a silver war nickel can be a difficult task. It is important to take a close look at the coin to understand what metal it is made from and determine its authenticity.

The easiest way to identify if you have a silver war nickel is to check the date on the coin. All wartime nickels minted during World War II (from 1942 to 1945) will contain a large ‘P” and a ‘D” mint mark, indicating they were minted in Philadelphia and Denver, respectively.

Additionally, the obverse will contain a “V” to signify victory. However, only units minted in Philadelphia will contain silver.

It is also important to examine the coin closely to determine its metal content. A silver war nickel will show a light gray tint and be slightly heavier than regular nickels. A real silver war nickel will also be composed of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese.

You may also find that the year of the coin is missing or noticeably faded. This is due to silver war nickels being in high demand due to its metal content, and the year being scratched off the coin in order to re-melt the nickel.

Finally, the best way to determine if you have a genuine silver war nickel is to take it to a professional coin appraisal or antique shop. They will be able to look at the coin up close and definitively tell you whether the nickel is authentic or not.

Are All war Time nickels silver?

No, not all war time nickels are silver. War time nickels are a series of five-cent coins minted from 1942-1945 during and immediately after World War II. During this period, the United States government changed the composition of the coin from its traditional 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy to a base metal alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese—which resulted in the coins taking on a grayish hue, rather than the more familiar yellowish hue of the previous design.

The purpose of this shift in composition was to free up the necessary nickel and copper that was needed to manufacture artillery shell casings during the war.

The silver-gray nickels are easily identifiable by the large mint mark “P”, signifying the Philadelphia mint, located above the dome of Monticello on the reverse of the coin. These coins, also known as “War Nickels”, are still in circulation and obtainable today.

How much is a silver war nickel worth?

The value of a silver war nickel can vary greatly depending on several factors, including its rarity, condition, and mint mark. Generally speaking, a circulated silver war nickel is worth around $3 to $5, while a mint condition uncirculated silver war nickel can be worth anywhere from $6 to $35.

Additionally, the rarest silver war nickels can sell for much higher prices in the realm of several hundred, or even several thousand dollars. For example, a 1943-S silver war nickel in uncirculated condition can be worth up to $55,000, based on past sales records.

Which wartime nickels are worth money?

During World War II, the United States introduced a new five-cent coin made of a copper-nickel alloy. This new five-cent coin, known as a “wartime nickel,” replaced the classic silver five-cent coins that were popular since the late 1800s.

Wartime nickels are now valuable collectibles due to their unique history and rarity. The coins were made from 1942 to 1945, and the reverse side of the coin features a large “V” and the words “In God We Trust.

” The “V” symbolizes the victory of World War II. During production, the U. S. Mint removed the “P” mint mark from the coins in order to conserve resources.

The most valuable wartime nickels are the 1942-1945 nickels with a “P” mint mark. The “P” coins are counterfeit because the Mint had eliminated the mint mark during this period. As a result, these coins are rarer than those without a mint mark and are far more valuable.

For example, a 1942-1945 nickel with the mint mark can fetch anywhere from $500-$1,000 depending on the condition of the coin.

In addition to the valuable “P” mint mark coins, other wartime nickels can also be valuable depending on the condition of the coin. Nickels from 1942, 1943 and 1945 are particularly valuable because of their limited production.

1940 and 1944 nickels are also valuable because of their rarity. If these coins are in good condition, they can sell for more than $100 each.

Overall, wartime nickels are valuable collectibles due to their historic significance and rarity. Collectors often pay a premium for coins in good condition, but all wartime nickels have a certain level of value due to their limited production.

Are all 1942 nickels war nickels?

No, not all 1942 nickels were war nickels. The 1942 nickels were composed of 35% silver, and the mint produced them in both “war” nickel and “standard” nickel varieties. The “war nickels” were produced with a “W” mintmark above the dome on the obverse, whereas the “standard” nickels had no mint mark.

The composition of the war nickel was 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese, instead of the normal 75% copper and 25% nickel mixture. The war nickels were produced with the silver component to help conserve copper and nickel during the Second World War.

The silver war nickels were officially produced between mid-1942 and the end of 1945, and are the only nickels that bear the “W” mintmark. The standard 1942 nickels do not bear any mintmark and had the normal 75% copper and 25% nickel mixtures.

Are nickels from 1942 worth anything?

Yes, nickels from 1942 are worth something. The 1942 nickel is a Jefferson nickel issued by the United States Mint. While they contain a relatively small amount of silver compared to other coins minted by the United States during World War II, they are still collectible, and depending on the condition, can be worth several dollars.

In circulated condition, the 1942 nickels are usually worth around $0. 10 to $0. 20 each. In uncirculated condition, they can be worth around $1. 25 to $4. 00 each or more depending on their preservation, the mint that struck them, and the coin’s composition.

Nickels minted between 1942 and 1945 are made from a 35% silver alloy. This gives these coins added value. Depending on their condition and the rarity of the particular coin.

What is the rare 1942 nickel?

The rare 1942 nickel is a highly sought-after United States nickel, due to its low mintage and as a result of its rarity it is often highly sought by numismatists and collectors. The 1942 nickel was minted during World War II, and at the time, all five-cent coins were minted in an alloy containing 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese (not the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel).

The alloy was used to conserve nickel for the war effort, and only a very small quantity of nickels were minted using the special alloy. As a result, there are fewer than a dozen examples of the special 1942 Nickel in existence.

It has been estimated that as few as 5 to 10 Nickels were minted in the special alloy for the Philadelphia mint, and none were ever issued for circulation. These coins were written about in a 1946 issue of Numismatist magazine, and from that article, the uniqueness of the 1942 Alloy Nickel was born.

The 1942 Nickel is considered to be one of the most valuable and sought-after coins in the United States, and examples of the coins have sold for millions of dollars.