United States War Nickel, 35% Silver Jefferson Nickel (1942-1945)
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint; specifically the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco facilities.
Pattern: Jefferson Nickel, Monticello Reverse, Felix Schlag Design.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint; specifically the Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco facilities.
Material
35% Silver, 56% Copper, 9% Manganese. This alloy was used to conserve nickel for the war effort.
Dimensions
Diameter: 21.21 mm; Original Weight: 5.00 grams (containing 0.0563 troy oz of pure silver).
Description
A circulated US five-cent piece known as a 'War Nickel'. These coins are unique in US numismatic history as the only nickels to contain silver, replacing the standard copper-nickel alloy to redirect nickel to military production for armor plating.
Key Features
The large mint mark above the dome of Monticello is the primary diagnostic feature. The presence of manganese often causes these coins to 'tone' or tarnish into dark greys or greens differently than standard nickels.
Material & Composition
35% Silver, 56% Copper, 9% Manganese. This alloy was used to conserve nickel for the war effort.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike with a matte/circulated finish. Features the neoclassical 'Monticello' estate on the reverse with 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Large mint mark (P, D, or S) located above the dome of Monticello. In this specific image, the mint mark is obscured by environmental damage/corrosion.
Construction Details
Die-struck/Machine-made by the US Mint using high-pressure coin presses.
Functional Features
Legal tender currency for the value of five cents; currently serves as a bullion/collector item.
Handle & Grip Details
None; reeded or smooth edge (smooth for nickels).
Craftsmanship Details
Standard government-issue mintage; features the iconic hand-sculpted design by Felix Schlag which won a national competition in 1938.
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive large mint mark placement (unique to 1942-45 silver issues) and the specific greenish-grey tarnish characteristic of the silver-manganese alloy.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America; Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), or San Francisco (S) mints.
Era & Period
World War II Era (1942-1945); Reflective of wartime resource conservation.
Age Estimate
Produced between 1942 and 1945; determined by the reverse design and specific alloy indicators.
Cultural Significance
Represents the total mobilization of the US economy during WWII, where even pocket change was altered to support the military.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair. The item shows heavy environmental damage, significant oxidation (verdigris/green corrosion), and surface pitting. Not suitable for high-grade numismatic collection but retains silver melt value.
Value Estimate
Melt value is approximately $1.50 - $2.00 USD based on silver spot prices; numismatic value in this condition is negligible.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean with abrasives as it destroys numismatic value. For this corroded state, it should be kept dry to prevent further metal loss. Professional conservation is not cost-effective for this specific grade.
Similar Pieces
Standard 1938-1964 Jefferson Nickels (75% copper, 25% nickel), which contain no silver and have smaller mint marks to the right of the building.
Interesting Facts
The Philadelphia 'P' mint mark on these coins was the first time a 'P' ever appeared on a US coin; previously, Philadelphia coins bore no mark.