The value of a 1942 P nickel depends on its condition. In general, if the coin is circulated and not in great condition, it has a value of between 5 and 10 cents. If the condition is such that it does not have any major blemishes or wear and the details of the portrait, letters, and numbers are clear and sharp, the value increases.
Grade MS-63 1942 P nickels (condition where there are practically no blemishes and only minimal wear) are valued at around $1. 38 and Grade MS-65 (virtually flawless) can sell for up to $10. Collectors also normally attach a premium to coins with original mint luster, which can increase the value of the 1942 P nickel significantly.
Ultimately, the exact value of a 1942 P nickel is determined by its grade, which can only be estimated by a collector or expert who is knowledgeable about the various grades and nuances of coin grading.
Does a 1942 P nickel have silver in it?
No, a 1942 P nickel does not have any silver in it. It is composed of a copper-nickel alloy, with a composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This nickel has been made with the same alloy since its inception in 1866.
Silver coins were last minted for circulation in 1935, when silver was removed from all coins except the dime, later replaced by core-clad coins in 1965. A nickel from 1942 is one of these core-clad coins and is composed solely of the copper-nickel alloy.
What is a 1942 P silver nickel worth?
The 1942 P silver nickel is worth approximately 40 cents to 85 cents, depending on its condition. Uncirculated coins will usually be worth more than circulated coins. Additionally, coins that have been graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) may be worth more due to the premium placed on graded coins.
The value of the 1942 P silver nickel may also be higher if the coin is part of a complete set or is considered to be rare. Other factors such as its lightness, scratches, details of design, etc. may also affect the value of the coin.
Collectors may also be willing to pay more for coins that display unique qualities; for example, a 1942 P silver nickel which has a few mint errors, such as double-die or off-center strike, can be quite valuable.
In any case, it is always best to bring the coin to a knowledgeable coin dealer or appraiser to determine its exact value.
What year are nickels pure silver?
The year in which nickels are pure silver varies depending on the specific type of nickel. U. S. nickels prior to 1965 were composed of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. Nickels produced between 1965 and 1970 were composed of solid copper.
In 1971, Kenneth Bressett, a senior editor of the Redbook Guide to United States Coins, petitioned to have the composition of the United States five-cent coin changed to 8. 33 percent nickel and 91. 67 percent copper.
The copper-nickel alloy is still used today. U. S. nickels produced since 1971, including those currently in circulation, are composed of 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel. As for the nickels that are pure silver, collector coins are the only kind that are pure silver.
Nickels dating from 1883 to 1912 are composed of pure nickel, but would not be considered “pure silver” as they lack the other properties of silver.
What does the P on a nickel mean?
The ‘P’ stamped onto a nickel indicates that the coin was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. The P stands for Philadelphia, which is one of the oldest operating mints in the United States. It was established in 1792 and is the very first mint in the US and the only mint located directly on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
The P mark was first used in 1837 and shortly after, other mints began adding their respective mint mark onto their coins. The United States Mint has produced coins in Philadelphia bearing the “P” mint mark since then.
Is a nickel from 1942 worth anything?
The nickel from 1942 is worth something depending on its condition and if it is the regular nickel or a special collector’s edition. Generally, circulated nickels from 1942 are only worth their face value of five cents.
However, if a nickel from 1942 is in uncirculated condition and is a prestigious coin such as the Jefferson War-time nickel, then the price may be much higher. The 1942-D Jefferson War-time nickel is worth upwards of $22 in uncirculated condition.
Similarly, the 1942-S Jefferson War-time nickel is worth around $72 in uncirculated condition. Nickels from 1942 that are in circulated condition are still worth their five cents face value, but nickels from 1942 that are in uncirculated condition and have certain characteristics may be worth considerably more.
Are war nickels made out of silver?
No, war nickels are not made out of silver. War nickels (also known as ” nickel five-cent pieces”) were made by the United States Mint from 1942 to 1945 to help conserve metal during World War II. The war-time nickel has a yellowish color due to being made from an alloy of copper, silver and manganese.
That being said, war nickels are only 35% nickel and are not made out of silver. While the silver content of the coins is much lower than a normal nickel, the war nickel does contain some silver. To compare, a traditional nickel contains 75% copper and 25% nickel, and has a silver-like appearance.
Therefore, war nickels are not made out of silver, but may contain a small amount of silver in the alloy.
Is there anything special about a 1942 nickel?
Yes, a 1942 nickel is special because it is one of the rarest and most valuable nickels in all of U. S. coinage. The dime-sized coins were minted with a composition of 35% silver, 9% manganese and 56% copper.
Starting in 1942, all nickels minted in the United States were made out of this special composition. These coins were made to preserve nickel, which was essential to support the war effort as nickel was used in both armor production and the production of other vital war materials.
The 1942 nickel is a desirable collector’s item because the amount minted with the special composition that year was limited, making it a rare find. Additionally, some of the 1942 nickels were not released into circulation and were instead kept in the treasury until very recently.
This also adds to the rarity and desirability of the 1942 nickel. Because of its esteemed rarity, the 1942 nickel can be worth up to $50 or more, depending on its condition and grade.
How can you tell if a 1942 nickel is silver?
To tell whether a 1942 nickel is silver, begin by examining the composition of the coin. Proof coins minted in 1942 would have been composed of silver, whereas regular coins minted in 1942 would have been composed of copper and nickel.
Additionally, coins that are composed of silver will typically feel lighter than coins composed of other metals.
Another method for determining whether a 1942 nickel is silver is to check the color. Silver coins will typically have a much brighter shine than coins composed of nickel or copper. When compared to other metals, silver coins will typically look both brighter and shinier than coins composed of other materials.
Finally, it is also possible to check the coin’s diameter and thickness. Silver coins will generally have a smaller diameter and thickness than coins composed of other materials. If the diameter and width of a coin appears to be noticeably smaller than the dime, quarter and half dollar coins of the same year, it is likely that the coin is composed of silver.
Each of these methods can be used to determine whether a 1942 nickel is silver. By examining the composition of the coin, checking the color, and comparing the size and width to other coins of the same year, it is possible to tell if a 1942 nickel is silver.
What nickels are worth keeping?
When it comes to collecting nickels, some are worth keeping and some are not so valuable. Nickels minted before 1938 with a U. S. mint stamp generally have higher values than other nickels. The most valuable and sought after coins in this series are those minted prior to 1883, which contain the Liberty Head design.
Other valuable nickels to consider include the Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938), the Shield Nickel (1866-1883), the Three-Cent Nickel (1865-1889) and the Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1912). Other noteworthy coins include the Jefferson Nickel (1938 to date) and the Nickel with the Westward Journey Design (2004-2006), which feature images of Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark, respectively.
Nickels from mints such as San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia are also valuable to serious collectors. Some of these coins have unique features, such as doubled die varieties and other mistakes, which can significantly increase their value.
Additionally, collecting uncirculated coins, which never entered into circulation, is a great way to increase the value of a nickel collection. Nickels from Canadian mints and other foreign countries are also worth keeping, as many of these coins contain unique designs and odd metals.
How do you test for silver nickel?
To test for silver nickel, you will need a small amount of nitric acid and some filter paper. First, take a small piece of silver nickel and place it on the filter paper. Then, take a few drops of the nitric acid and apply it to the silver nickel.
If the silver nickel changes color, you will know that it is containing silver nickel. Once the silver nickel has changed color, you will need to check for the presence of nickel by taking a small sample of the silver nickel and applying it to a nickel test strip.
If a green line appears on the strip, this will confirm the presence of silver nickel. Finally, if you still wish to determine the purity of the silver nickel, you can take a sample and measure the amount of silver and nickel content using a testing device.
